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This guy is so cute. He has to grow a bit to be the charmer he will after he learns he can not get his way all the time and it is better to be a handsome young warrior than a roustabout. He is a cute one to be sure. He looks like he loves to run, tumble and play as much as he can get in any one day.
posted by
Justi
on March 22, 2012 at 5:56 AM
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Interesting post! Thanks for your visit!
posted by
Nita09
on March 22, 2012 at 5:50 AM
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Give that dog a good chest scratch, and a nice little chunk of liverwurst. He is a good boy, make eye contact and tell him so.
posted by
serioushelpneeded
on March 21, 2012 at 7:17 AM
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I prefer dogs over cats.
posted by
Amanda__
on March 20, 2012 at 2:34 PM
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I had to do some Ben catch-up reading. Firstly, congratulations on your new pack member and secondly with your seemingly infinite wisdom as to what makes Ben “tick”, I’m sure you’ll be a well integrated pack in no time at all.
posted by
Troosha
on March 20, 2012 at 12:40 PM
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My dog is more a Romeo than an Alpha male
He exhibits his terrier side after meeting other dogs of either sex -- wag, wag is followed by sniff and growl -- but flirts with the women and girls.
posted by
cpklapper
on March 20, 2012 at 10:24 AM
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It's interesting to read of how dogs fit in with each other and with humans. It's fascinating that we have been able to domesticate.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on March 20, 2012 at 9:45 AM
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Nautikos
Y For myself dogs are just cute Naut. BC-A, Bill’s R®st
posted by
BC-A
on March 20, 2012 at 6:00 AM
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Our old fat lab obays both of us but she loves my wife and follows her everywhere, but when she is not at home she is just as happy to nap with me.
posted by
UtahJay
on March 19, 2012 at 11:50 PM
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Very interesting. I don't want a dog, but I love reading about yours, and Ciel's, and adnohrs.
posted by
TAPS.
on March 19, 2012 at 11:29 PM
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Nautikos
I just caught up on the latest with Ben.....it is all sooooo familiar....and everything you say makes so much sense as far as our experience with Hellhound, AKA Tandy. My mom bought her from a puppy mill where she was one from very large litter and bonded immediately with my mom on the long drive home. My mom is an "animal nut" like you've never seen and babied this dog beyond all belief. I've described the way she let the dog destroy her house....I am still dealing with trying to get the floors repaired.
Anyway, when I came on the scene, I used a very firm and loud voice with Tandy and physically disciplined her by yanking on her leash....she never forgave me. She immediately started grownling and biting at me. My mom is not at all assertive in voice or action. Tandy was in a month-long in-house training program and is very well trained; she can demonstrate heel-sit-stay-lie down-off-etc. perfectly with the trainers and when I worked with her she was compliant with me, too. But y mom did not follow-through with the rules like not letting her in her lap....so Tandy maintained dominance over my mom....and my mom could not seem to understand this.
Now, Tandy is in a house with my daughter (who Tandy has bonded with), her husband, my 3 granddaughters, 2 cats and another dog. They haven't been trained in the commands, and I really don't even know how it's all doing. My eldest granddaughter was walking her daily but I think the newness has kind of worn off. HEAVY SIGH.........and my mom is still unaware my daughter has her and talks about trying to get her back and promising me she will just stay in a wheelchair all the time and never stand up around her so she can't knock her down.
I'll be interested to follow along with your success with Ben...I'm not sure but unless my s-in-law kicks her out, Hellhound seems to be staying with my daughter and I am forwarding your blogs to her. But, regardless of your success and anything we may learn, I still don't plan on ever bringing her back to Mama's house!
posted by
Krisles
on March 19, 2012 at 8:41 PM
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I can't help it,[reminds me of myself when I was so much younger than today], but I do like the little bit of defiance I see in the picture! And, on the good note I am pleased there is success here, too! sam 
posted by
sam444
on March 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM
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He is a doll, your new boy and I just know you are going to be a happy
family together. He's intelligent and has been through a tough time. Such a handsome fellow...not you Naut; Ben!!!!
posted by
Kabu
on March 19, 2012 at 4:27 PM
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Ben is a good looking dog, looks very fit.
Your guess about his early history sounds very accurate to me.
posted by
Pat_B
on March 19, 2012 at 2:30 PM
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Like humans, dogs can be re-educated, and I'm happy you are proving that here, Naut. SO many people just give up on the poor creatures.
posted by
adnohr
on March 19, 2012 at 2:02 PM
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Between your post here, and the top blog on the Dancing Dogs NZ site,
which is a review of a book about wolves and wolf-pack dynamics, I see the point you make about it maybe all being pack-mentality. The point the reviewed book makes ( http://www.dancingdogs.co.nz/dog-blog/ ) is that pack dynamics are not as inflexible as some of us have been led to believe.
Lest I hijack your blog here, I will continue talking of the dogs here, over on mine.
posted by
Ciel
on March 19, 2012 at 1:57 PM
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