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| Dutch Shepherd Dog |
Before I start properly I’d like to explore the realms of
possibility as to what genealogy I can attribute to Shyloh. Piecing together
all the info is quite interesting in itself. He is definitely more on the
Shepherd Dog side than anything, and due to his brindled markings it suggests a
Dutch Shepherd Dog. In the Dutch Kennel club better examples of the breed will
not have the white flashing on chest and legs; so this is a trait within the
breed. I think you’ll also agree from the accompanying pictures he really does
look like one of this quite distinctive breed: apart from the size and shape of
his head. All the doggy people I’ve met agree with me that his head has more
than a suggestion Akita, and he has a quirky twist in his tail when it’s held
upright. What I didn’t know is that American Akitas come in a gorgeous brindled
coat too. Again, compare him to the example shown. Obviously, what he is, or
where he comes from makes little difference as to who he is, but it can allow
for a better awareness of character traits.
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| American Akita |
It’s a big step for a dog when it needs to be rehomed. When
there’s two degrees of detachment from it’s previous owners there is little in
the way of history to accompany them. However they may seem in the rescue
centre, you only get a proper idea of their peculiarities when they arrive at
your home. How lovely it would be if they all fawned on your every desire, but
let’s face it, they have to cope with a constant flood of new sights, sounds
and smells, on top of whatever trauma they’ve already been through. Any new
relationship is fraught with pitfalls, we need to take time, a time in which
you’ll grow more comfortable with each other, and more tolerant. How many women
do you know who, on a first date, will put up with their new boyfriend farting
and holding the covers over their heads. Few! As I said it takes time to slowly
familiarise each other to our true characters. Dogs don’t necessarily have any
idea of social graces, unless they’ve already been exposed to just what is
acceptable and what is not tolerated.
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| Shyloh - Dutchican Akturd |
With Shyloh everything was new and wonderful, and he’s very
alert, keen to explore everything he comes across. He’s never even been shown
how to sit, or taught to come when called. He was unruly in his excitement, but
eager to please, so I thought he’d respond quite quickly to lots of attention. And
I wasn’t wrong. Being stuck in the car for over an hour had done little to
settle him down, though in that time he’d not whinged or tried to get out the
rear compartment of the car. We had a bit of a wrestle as soon as the door
swung open, me frantically trying to grab is rope while he tried knocking me
aside to get out. We got through it easy enough, and thankfully he didn’t try
bolting off. He carries a lot of weight, it did me no good playing tug of war
with him, he would have won if relying on physical strength alone. When I first
met him one of the things I liked about him was how responsive he was. Even
though he had no concept of the words you used, he’d been happy to come when
encouraged, purely for curiosity and a little attention. An encouraging tone of
voice and slapping my thigh was all he needed to come see what was happening.
Then all I had to do was make a fuss of him, his first lesson, it’s good to
come when called.
As we casually strolled up the garden path his ears and eyes
swivelled round jerkily trying to take in the sensory overload. There was no
physical reaction, he was just super alert, almost mesmerised into inaction. No
fear was shown, no panic. He took it all in his stride, didn’t even hesitate
walking through the door and into my front room. Attached to a ten-metre rope
there was plenty of scope for unhindered exploration. After a quick sniff round
the lounge it was onto the kitchen, to find his bed and bowls neatly laid out
for him. Again, there was no hesitation, he gladly lapped up half his water but
seemed disinterested in his food. The back door was open, even more to explore.
He was being really calm and casual, all his attention on the barrage of
senses. Nose to the ground he checked out the lower terrace, inhaling au
d’chicken, cat, dog, even squirrel. His ears twitched at a noise from next
door. Calmly placing front paws onto the wall (he towered above the
insignificant barrier), stood proudly, face into the wind, eyes slightly
squinted, and took a deep lungful of the local windborne delights.
Blimey, with only a small tug on his lead and a soft,
“Shyloh, Nooo,” he got back down. On another couple of occasions he looked over
into next door’s garden, each time I repeated the process and got the same
response. Things were looking very good. And so we ambled round the rest of the
garden, letting him take the lead, decide what interested him most. Every
couple of minutes I called him, slapped my thigh and when he started coming
called, “come”. His version of coming was just that, he’d briefly sniff me,
accept a quick fuss and go back to his exploring. Well, the garden obviously
met with his approval, as we reached the lower terrace again he excitedly
bounded backwards and forwards across the lawn, then came and for a rub and
wrestle before heading back indoors. The delights of treats as a reward was
another new one for the young lad, on that first night I got him to sit for a
treat. Not to understand the word, but start getting him used to hearing it as
he’s sitting.
Inducing the sit is easy. Show them the treat and hold it
just above their raised nose, then move it slightly over the dog’s head. As their hindquarters lower say, “sit”, give
the treat and lots of praise. In no time at all the dog will associate the
command with the action, but will need practice and patience before they’ll do
it whenever you ask, whether of not you have a treat. BUT, if you tell your dog
to sit once it knows the command, make sure it does. A slight push on their
rear end will generally be enough to reinforce this command, if your dog is
being especially awkward. I generally find by holding the lead, just taught
enough to reach their hindquarters, then simply place your finger at the base
of the tail is sufficient. It’s the same teaching any command, use the verbal
command as he does the action and the learning is done subliminally. A bit of
reinforcement, plenty of practice and bags of praise will see most dogs eager
to learn and obey.
Most of that first night was just play, or made to appear as
play. By and large Shyloh alternated between sheer amazement and playfulness.
He’d spend minutes just sat in the lounge, gazing round at his environment.
With a look of contentment, and a deep sigh of relief, he seemed to accept his
new surroundings. Next second he was over to me taking my hand in his mouth
and, gently gnawing, tried to force me into play. Not wanting to start on a
negative note I wasn’t inclined to refuse, so we had a pretty full on wrestle.
His paws damned near reach my shoulders, but he only really used my body for
balance. Basically his form of play was to clamp onto my hand or arm, which is
fine, as long as they understand how hard they can push it. Ok, this may be a
bit unorthodox but I will teach my dogs to roughhouse with me (and only me
really). They can pounce on me, clamp onto arm, hand or even shoulder. But you
need to trust them not to clamp so it hurts, which can be a little precarious.
If they do nip too hard, YELP, and they ease off. Calm them down as you tell them
“enough”, they’ll get the idea.
I’d gone to the trouble of fitting latches to my cupboard
doors and thoroughly dog-proofing the kitchen. With a last laugh in the garden
together I introduced his bed, to which he calmly went into it and sat, looking
longingly at me as I said goodnight and closed the door. He settled well,
making no noise at all during the course of the night. The following morning I
heard a slight whine while having my pre-dog dump, and his was ecstatic to see
me. More amazing was the sight of an unmolested kitchen, he’d not even ragged
the bin I’d left out to tempt him. This was a surprise, in the rescue centre he
used to shred anything you left in his kennel He was also happy to be unbound
in the garden, he’d behaved so well the day before I decided he could be
trusted to have the freedom of the garden. By the end of that day I could allow
him to be out there alone, it was delightful watching him sit out on his own.
With his head raised into the wind, and eyes half-closed he could have been in the
deepest state of meditation. He was motionless for ages, perfectly at peace
with his surroundings.
The signs were good, now all I had to do was introduce him
to the big wide world.
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