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Post by torontojohn on Jul 29, 2014 12:30:04 GMT -5
A little something on perception So the other day a guy stopped at the patio where Jester and I usually sit sipping our coffee and started asking questions, this happens A LOT and Jester gets all sorts of loving from people passing by, I've never had any issues with him being shy. This time however, about 15 seconds into the conversation I started getting an eerie feeling about this guy (as in he probably has someone buried in his basement...literally) immediately I observed Jester starring at him and me (back and forth) and backing up, he did this maybe twice. Mind you, I wasn't touching the leash at the time, he was tethered beside me to the railing. Eventually the guy got the hint and moved away. Just an observation on how the breed perceives strangers and their handler's reactions to others, I usually have a pretty good poker face when it comes to this sort of thing and am (I think) a pretty good judge of character. The serial killer detector in action
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 20:09:35 GMT -5
In all of my life (near 54yrs) I have had dogs of different breeds and never, ever in this life have I had a dog more intuitive then a greyhound, each and every one of them. There are no words to describe what that feels like, it just is...for that, I am very greytful. Very happy John to learn that you as well have experienced this. M
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Post by renegade on Jul 30, 2014 11:54:50 GMT -5
i've noticed it too, mine acts very differently with each member of our family, and he knows instantly who wants him around, who needs their space, etc. they are so in tune, its incredible.
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lanlove
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 179
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Post by lanlove on Jul 30, 2014 17:44:48 GMT -5
My Lanny tends to be shy when visitors come to the house, perhaps it is just his nervousness but I still can tell if it is his regular shyness or if he is getting a bad vibe off someone. The Doberman I had was an amazing judge of character and would always put himself between me and the stranger if he didn't like them. I tend to trust my dogs intuition when meeting new people...I once had a man come to the house when I was home with just my dogs and he was wanting me to vote for him in an upcoming election...the lab I had at that time loved everyone but she got her hackles up and barked and growled and wouldn't let the man near me...needless to say I stayed near the door and my Doberman stood between us but the lab wouldn't let the man approach my porch at all, I did NOT vote for him...my yella dog new he was no good and that was all I needed to know. The man asked if the dog would bite and I recall answering somewhat in a questioning manner that "I'm not sure", she never acted that way any other time in her life. I am sure that I had no body language to make her act that way as I had just come to the porch and hadn't had a chance to make my mind up about the man, yella did that for me. Both of those sweet dogs have since passed but I still trust my dogs judgement of people. It is nice to know that they have our backs and will communicate their feelings of apprehension when they don't feel something is right...it is all about trust. Don't trust anyone that your dog doesn't trust!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 19:45:38 GMT -5
ditto again to the above, I could tell stories galore but I think the point has been made, an amazing one at that
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
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Post by troysmom on Jul 30, 2014 22:52:09 GMT -5
Interesting conversion. I trust my dogs 100% and they can read all the people in my neighbourhood who don't like dogs. They are amazing companions. I love Jester's serial killer photo.
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dashandus
Grey Lover
I am very sad to annonce that our beautiful Primo Dash passed away suddenly today
Posts: 412
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Post by dashandus on Aug 1, 2014 21:13:42 GMT -5
Dash too has an amazing instinct of who truly likes her or not.
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Aug 3, 2014 19:18:06 GMT -5
There is a saying that I like...
"Questers of the truth, that's who dogs are; seekers after the invisible scent of another being's authentic core." Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
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Post by fastlane on Aug 20, 2014 20:47:40 GMT -5
They know. They always do. They've got a fix on folks before they enter the kennel. I'm sure of it. Wonderful anecdote and very sweet photo.
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Post by savannah on Aug 29, 2014 22:13:00 GMT -5
Isn't it phenomenal how they "know"! I have had an experience similar to yours that was just outstanding. Years back we rescued a little Sheltie who was being mistreated by his owner, we knew her well and eventually she realized the dog was a bad fit for her and passed him onto us. It must have been 4 years later I was in a pet store with my little Whippet, Belly, and I felt a growling through the leash. I looked up to see what was going on and this woman must have been 20 feet away, low and behold it was our Shelties abuser. Not sure if the lady had a vibe or if Belly "just knew".
They certainly are the most in-tune, spiritually connected breeds I have come across. Such soulful dogs.
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Post by charlotte on Apr 11, 2015 11:59:40 GMT -5
In terms of the dog reacting to how the handler feels about others, I had a female rotweiller who, when a female friend of mine she never met came to the door, would run to the door, her tail wagging in excitement. I assume this is because I was expecting the friend and was calm and at ease. When a stranger to both of us came to the door she did a normal warning bark routine. I was nervous one day because after having her for a while I noticed she was wary of all men except my present boyfriend who had trained her anyway. Her wariness of men totally came from me. So the first time my father and brother came to my apartment before having met the dog I thought this was going to be a problem. But no, she was at the door, not making a sound, just wagging her tail when they came. She was fine with everyone I was fine with. Sometimes when I had guests I didn't know well she would not be her normal affectionate self but sit and watch the guest. I was an anxious person and always cautions with new people. When the cable guy came by, I had to lock her in the crate which I would have to move into the bedroom and close the door and hope that cable guy would actually stay and do his work because she had no qualms about barking her ass off in a "get the hell out of the house way". Had I been better at training back then I would have tried to change that situation somehow so she would at least be quiet. But I was then and still am very wary of male contractors in the house and she wanted to make sure they knew that. Anyway, point being, I believe all dogs of any breed are sensitive, and it seems validating, to our feelings. Which is why I have spent a lot of time getting rid of my anxiety so that I don't create an anxious dog.
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