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February 16, 2010

Ginko and Lilly express their expectations differently. The more I ponder yesterday’s Signs Point to Yes, the more I realize that the disparity in their responses to disappointment or anticipation reflect their formal (and not so formal) dog training.

The Border Collie Mind

I guess it’s the lengthy watchfulness required with sheep, hardwired into the border collie brain, that gives Lilly the patience to wait and wait and wait, even when all the cues appear. Most of the time, she does so quietly.

I’ve also done MUCH more impulse control work with Lilly over the years. She has been formally taught that being fussy, noisy, demanding does NOT pay off.

I won’t pretend that is true in every case. For example, it’s WAY noisy here as I prepare meals or let them outside, but when Lilly anticipates my attention or some such, she is very, very focused. She tries to make her point I guess I should say, but her methods are much more subtle … like boring a hole in the back of my head staring at me.

Mr. Whiny Pants

Ginko, on the other hand, is much more likely to get fussy, whiny, and antsy when he is waiting for something he wants or anticipates. I not only haven’t trained him NOT to do these things … I’ve accidentally rewarded them enough over time. Bad combination!

Whereas Lilly surely recognizes patterns and awaits the outcomes she believes are coming, Ginko is much more likely to get frustrated when those outcomes are not immediate.

The best example came after we began offering food-stuffed toys every evening to encourage Lilly to be with us, rather than hide in the house or refuse to come inside (especially during the summer). Lilly enjoyed the toys when they appeared. Ginko got mad when they didn’t.

Dog Expectation Examples

Consider these scenarios:

Ginko finishes his food-stuffed toy before Lilly does. Is his response…?

a) Walk up and steal her toy
b) Stand nearby and whine
c) Bark at something to lure Lilly out of the room, then steal her toy

Ginko finishes his breakfast and immediately turns his attention to a food toy. If that toy is empty, he will …?

a) Stand at the puppy treat jar (an old candy machine) and bark
b) Carry around the empty toy making pathetic faces of the deprived
c) Drop the toy repeatedly on our feet

Come one, come all … make your guess.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

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