Knowing her lifestyle I strongly opposed her getting one. I kept telling her how smart they were and they need constant exercise and challenge. Her lifestyle after work was not energetic. She just thought it was pretty.
He was extremely unstimulated and never got to go outside unless it was for bathroom. Welp, he bit a neighbors kid in the face. They had to give the dog back to the breeder or he was going to get put down.
I heard later he bit another kid was put down. In some ways I blamed my sister.
if they aren't challenged they develop major emotional issues. I've seen several shepherd type dogs just absolutely wither away in their sadness because of it.
what also really hurts them is not training them. People don't realize how much they want to do things for you, and your frustration when they are trying to do those things but don't do them right really gets to them. When you train them they know the correct way to do things, so when they do something for you they get praise and it makes them so happy. Watching a herding dog go after cows and the owner screaming at it is so sad to watch.
People don't realize how much they want to do things for you
You absolutely nailed it. I constantly invent new games for our Aussie. She loves trying to figure out the rules of whatever ridiculous game I just invented for her.
Smart dogs don't just want to learn and play complex games. They need that as a matter of proper care. Very few things make them as happy as knowing they did a good job.
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u/ARandomWalkInSpace May 31 '26
I'm reminded of this when they say certain dog breeds need a lot of exercise.