Previous Dog Syndrome

[JudyN]

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I thought this was a really interesting article: Previous Dog Syndrome

Jasper is my first dog (not counting the family dogs in my childhood) and I often wonder what it would be like to adjust to a dog without issues. How long before I can relax with a dog sprawled over my lap, not put the house on lockdown if he steals something edible until he's eaten it, not watch his body language like a hawk if he solicits attention from others in case he suddenly decides he really doesn't like them all, relax in a beer garden if there's small children running around?

I often hear people say 'I've had lots of dogs before but never one who has done this,' who are struggling to adapt. Or 'I've always been able to take bones off my dogs and I have no intention of this one being an different' ('Good luck with that,' I think...)

Has anyone here had (or have) PDS? Have you had the culture shock of going from an easy dog to a challenging one, or a challenging dog to an easy one? Or even a challenging dog to another challenging dog who challenged you in totally new ways?

 

[Nanny71]

Bit like having children, easy first child, nightmare second one. Love them both equally. Must be the same with dogs

 

[JudyN]

I had the nightmare first and the easier one second! Mind you, even then I found that what worked with DS1 didn't necessarily work with DS2, so to an extent I had to start from scratch.

 

[Mad Murphy]

When I sat in the rescue center on 16 oct 2001 with a very skinny border collie at my feet .I said to my husband 'just dont expect me to love him like I loved Max' our bouvier x st bernard had died 3 months earlier and we were at the rescue because we had woken to intruders in the house..Of course Oscar stole my heart and everyone who knew us said he was my soulmate.

But I think you cant help but expect them to somehow know what you need from them.

 

[Caro Perry]

I must admit I called Harri "Rosko" occasionally for the first few weeks. Harri is much more easy going though than Rosko ever was although they are the same breed (I'm a glutton for punishment and think Welsh terriers are the perfect dog!)

 

[Dinky Dillon]

Amber was a dream puppy/dog ( I always said if she was human she'd be the little girl who like playing with Barbie dolls), Dillon was a nightmare teenager if I'd had him first I doubt I'd ever have another dog, but his grown in to the most loving and caring dog we could ever have wished for.

 

[JoanneF]

I think they are, like people, all imperfect in some ways and we work around their foibles and love them for what they are. There is a saying about working with the dog in front of you, not the one you think you had (or words to that effect). My first dog was grumpy but pretty patient with me as a learner. My last dog was highly intelligent and eager to please but for some reason, adored my father above everyone else - my dad didn't live with us! Timber is far less biddable, he doesn't do things to please me, he does things because he knows he will earn a reward (often just his normal food). But when he comes for a cuddle and he looks at my face for ages with his eyes fixed on mine, he is very much 'my' dog and that feels pretty special.

 

[Flobo]

All my dogs, over the years, have come my way as opposed to me going out and choosing a dog.. I can't think how I could compare them for ease as they were all so different and all had different needs. Loved and will continue to love them all and have embraced and learnt from the experiences good or bad, easy or difficult, happy or sad.. including the ones to come I'm sure!

 

[merlina]

Oh I could go on at length! I've had with spaniels: easy...difficult...a small saint in a cute suit...and a current creature from the Planet Pluto! Rescue cross breeds: easy...easyish (eventually)...and now mad as a box of frogs. So basically after all these years I have an alien plus a nutcase.

 

[Josie]

Dennis has always been such a super chilled boy - He never really chewed and he hates being parted with us (even worse now he's 10!) but our other black lab Poppy was completely different natured. If we answered the front door at night she would slip out and disappear for the evening!

I wonder if there is a difference between males and females? I think the boys are generally more lazy and chilled!

 

[merlina]

A day with our Boy From Norfolk would change your mind!