Are all dogs trainable?

I have 2 good examples of the broad spectrum that encompasses "trainability". Both of my current dogs are shelter rescues and older dogs. Roscoe is an owner surrender, 6 year-old Boxer-Pit Bull X. He has a chronic skin infection (yeast) which was the stated reason for surrender. Probably due to all of the bathing, ear handling, and topical applications that attend this condition, he is very sensitive to touch from anyone, to the point of attempting to bite when ears are cleaned, or his poor, sore feet are handled. Otherwise he is a delight and adores children. After months of working with him, he will come when called, sit, stay, etc, UNLESS he thinks he is going to receive treatment. His sensitivity has been reduced by having the vet perform all treatment for a month, but he is never going to be completely at ease with this. This is a matter of reversing already learned behavior, which is made more difficult by his age and breed. I'm happy to say that we can get the job done now with much less drama, and he is worth the extra effort in the energy and love he pours from his heart. Tyler is a 10+ year-old English Pointer, a shelter stray who was going to be put down immediately as unadoptable due to age, He is the happiest, funniest dog I have ever known, just dancing with the joy of life. The breed is high strung and he is afraid of loud noises and storms. After trial and error I've found that he wants to crawl under the blankies and snuggle when worried and a sedative helps with storms if given soon enough. His favorite passtime is running, also breed specific, so he goes to the barn with me nearly every day for at least an hour of non-stop, full-out tearing around. He will go into hunting mode with scents and visuals, and he comes back periodically to be sure I'm still around, but during this time he is not easily distracted, despite a lot of effort put into teaching him to come when called. He is also obsessed with lights, birds, squirrels, etc and will stand, completely focussed, for long periods of time - also a breed attribute. These traits could possibly have been modified to more obedience early on, but they are so ingrained at his current age that changing them has proven more detrimental to his mental health than necessary. And he is a very well-mannered, extremely loving, quiet, velcro dog, who plays an ecstatic game of ball or disk in his big fenced yard then comes in to snggle into his chair. I guess my point is that dogs are people, too, and while basic manners are a must, they should be allowed the diversity of their idiosyncrisies and genetic traits, just as we allow them in people. Do your homework and plan to spend time and effort creating a sociable dog, but don't expect to be able to create that perfect vision of what every dog should be. If you don't want the work or variation (boy am I going to hear about this), get a cat.

over 1 year ago by Anonymous

"If your dog is behaving badly, don't worry about why or where it came from, just look for a solution." This is the best ending to the story. In answer to the question, "How much of a dog's behavior can be changed by training?" As bc44 comments, I too believe that you need to work with the dog (or any other species) in a way that it can learn. I believe as you have written about the particular breeds, people first must understand this before they choose a breed or dog just because they want one or "it's so cute." I become very upset for example, when I see people who have the smaller breeds used as "fashion accessories", don't have a clue about behavior, discipline, training, boundaries, etc., and then wonder why this at first cute little doggie is now a terrible, little, biting and snarling fur ball with no manners. I also agree with bc44 comments on people who get a dog and expect the puppy to automatically know how to behave. I don't know how to reach these people either... We are all trying, but it is very saddening to see and feel the pain of these poor creatures because of the of the lack of knowledge or the downright cruelty of certain individuals who do not even share a moment of guilt in causing the animal's misery. Yes, that is why so many are brought to shelters... and I know, too, that some folks bring in their own dog and say they have found it as a stray... shame on them. If people truly believe they want to share their life with a dog, they must first ask themselves if they really have an understanding of what's it all about in terms of caring, training, and nurturing a young pup through adult dog. Tied to a Tree is No Place to Be.... Peace

almost 3 years ago by Anonymous