In 7/9/2005 10:30:20 P.M. Central Standard Time, gsdsforlife@xxxxxxxx writes: I'm of the opinion that as long as you work the mind of this oh so intelligent dog in whatever venue you choose, right on! Use that intelligent mind. What an utter waste of a life if you don't. Work the mind, work the mind, work the mind. It is a beautiful thing when a dog looks at you and "gets" it!! Colleen Donnelly Colleen gets it. I think the worse thing we can do to these dogs, any dog but GSD in specific, is to not include them in our daily lives. To limit them to a kennel, or a crate, or a different area away from their people. Every time I get a new foster we place bets to see if it knows how to walk on tile, or wood flooring or carpet. It is the first single most important thing they have to learn. They have to get across the house to go out, or to get to the kitchen to eat. They never learned this lesson. So much natural training goes into making them part of your daily lives. My dogs HAVE to sit before they get their food. They HAVE to wait when I am opening a door. They understand what I want from them, they get it! They know is a major NO-NO to lift the leg in the house or to chase the cats. They learn this by daily interaction, not by mechanical training. It is repetition, but not repetitive. Breeds that are this intelligent learn so easy and are done such a disservice when excluded. My best dog ever was a very small German Shepherd bitch. Terrible hips, small little girl. She is the mold I use to compare other dogs to when it comes to intelligence, loyalty, trainability and heart. She never had a title at either end. To us she was just The Queen. And remains so. Ileana ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================