Originally Posted by Teresa Ford  Labs and Yorkies .. different oh yessss
In the 70s and 80s we bred, trained, showed and were involved with Labs. We even worked with service dog trainers for the blind and physically impaired. Asa breed I would feel safe in the general statement, Labs want to work forpeople. They thrive on praise and reward type training. Of course there arealways exceptions. I Do not think (forgive me this is not mean to startrebuttals) Labs are on the high end of intelligence. They would rather someoneelse be the rule maker and leader. Nor would I consider them independentthinkers or problem solvers. Well trained Labs are are amazing. Once they getpast the long puppy stage and reach maturity Labs make wonderful, faithful,companions. NOW Yorkies are a different sort of dog. I found that out when Istarted working with them in the 1980s. Some were treat motivated, some weren't.Smart ? You bet ! Not smart like German Shep. or Border Collies (Who I thinkare smartest dogs ever) Yorkies seem to know how to get what they want. I haveseen Yorkies change assertive behavior to begging and submissive to get whatthey want. Perhaps it is because they have spent so many centuries ascompanions and lived with people, in their home. I think Yorkies do what peoplewant them to, when it pleases them to do so. I think they understand trainingperfectly, but it is secondary to what they want. I am teasing a bit, butreally I think Yorkies are very human, they have so many of our finerbehaviors, like love, loyalty, and compassion. But they can also betemperamental, moody, selfish, possessive, and self important. I have enjoyedtraining them for almost 30 years. I never use a harsh tone, firm voice, butnot harsh. I also use a lot of praise and physical touch when working withYorkies. Physical comfort I think is far more important to Yorkies. Labs canbash into a garden wall while playing, or dive into icy water and barelynotice. Yorkies cringe when it rains or they have a knot in their fur. I thinktheir sense touch is very close to our own. I often have to remind people tolet Yorkies walk. They tend to carry them way too much. Yorkies can becomewonderful, well trained companions as well as any Lab.
I kind of think about it like this, a Lab is like a not so bright child may bea joy to parent, and so easy to love. They obey the rules and seldom cause aproblem. When they are an adult they will be hard working, kind and fit intosociety perfectly.
Yorkies are like, an independent, intelligent, and creative child. They maydrive you crazy and challenge your authority. They study human behavior andknow how to get people to work for them. As a teenager they may do somedangerous and experimental things. When they mature they still retain theirchild like curiosity and fun nature. As adults they really listen and careabout the WHY of everything. They are never boring, and you love having long conversationswith them, because they do understand the delicate, and subtle things aboutlife. |