Reality Check

I'm not sure why I started this blog.  It had something to do with memories.  Maybe I wanted to help my memory when training a future dog.  Maybe, with Roxy's recent passing, it has something to do with memorializing Shasta in the years to come.  By that I mean, something out there to help me remember as much as I can about the entire journey.  What I wouldn't give to have kept such a blog with Roxy.

Regardless of why, I know it's not about idolizing Shasta, documenting only the good things.  I want it to be about the entire picture. 

So far, early indications are that Shasta could be a great dog.  Great.  As a companion.  As a show dog.  But it's time for a reality check.  What have I seen already that may cause an obstacle in the future?

One known thing, she is vocal and she is loud.  Not over the top.  Yet.  But the potential is there.

Maybe there is an indication of not being easily forgiving.  She caught her toe very briefly getting out of a crate in the early days with us and she is still hesitant coming out of the crate.  What I can't recall is if she was hesitant before getting the toe caught briefly.

I could see situations where if I don't keep things interesting enough that she could decide to find her own fun.  She has a quality I can't quite define.  It's sort of an impatience but that's not quite it because she can stay at a task for a long period of time, she can try all sorts of behaviors during shaping exercises.  However, when in "training mode" she clearly wants something to do and if I disconnect or pause, she isn't going to wait for me.

Lastly, at this point I consider it a positive trait but maybe it's possible it becomes an obstacle.  And that is that I don't recall any of our other puppies being THIS food motivated.  She is super crazy about food.  I know I rely too heavily on food in my training.  Could she be too food motivated for my training methods?  Maybe.

To this point, after observing her for 6.5 weeks, that's all I can come up with.  I know other things can and will crop up.  But it's an honest assessment of what I've seen so far.  It seems to me to be further indication that she could be a great dog to only have this small and minor list of potential future obstacles.

Hmm, with that conclusion, maybe this wasn't much of a reality check after all....