Update on Dog Training

Ozzie and I continue to attend dog training classes.  Our instructor is a lovely, blond, fit, tough as nails young woman who is a police officer.  We are fortunate that she is available to teach dog training classes on her day off.  She is working towards becoming in charge of the Canine Unit on her force, and it seems to me that she has all the skills and knowlege to achieve that goal in no time.  When she comes to class, she brings her magnificent Doberman Pinscher "Gene" along with her.  Gene is a fabulously well mannered dog, who flops down on the floor and sits patiently until the class is over.  Gene is a model dog.

So, what's the problem?  Ozzie despises Gene with something bordering on a manic obsession.  Doesn't like him one bit.  Did Gene ever do anything untoward to Ozzie?  Absolutely not.  The only thing Gene has that Ozzie may resent are two intact testicles.  Ozzie may not have gotten over the loss of his own, which was a part of the agreement we made with the breeder when we adopted him. 

Ozzie growls, Ozzie snaps, Ozzie makes the most dreadful strangling noises in his effort to get at Gene, who outweighs him by a good 40 pounds.  It is quite a scene.  I have never seen this side to Ozzie.  It is a real Dr. Jeckyll/ Mr. Hyde situation.  Our teacher is able to work with Ozzie and get him under control, but is this situation ever embarrassing to me.  At the end of the hour, Ozzie seems to have gotten tired of me jerking his collar and correcting him, and usually is willing to look the other way and not make eye contact with Gene.  Did anyone ever mention that Welsh Terriers are stubborn, willful, determined, and have amazing focus when it comes to doing exactly what THEY want to do?  Oh, and that they are hard to train?

I just don't get it.  Ozzie loves to play with other dogs at the dog park, and he loves to play with the other dogs in the family.  I have never seen him act unfriendly ever.  Except toward Gene.  He gets along perfectly with all the other creatures he meets.  You can see below how he and another dog at the dog park are sharing a toy.  And he is great with Remy.  They have a game they play where they pass a toy back and forth to each other and then chase all around the house.  Ozzie has always played great with others.  So what is the deal with Gene?  Have you ever met anyone you just despised on sight?  Same here, but I don't try to kill them.  Sigh.

Comments

[Amy]

Gene is the Alpha dog & Ozzie I trying to take that position...

Does the trainer ever let Gene "Play" with the puppies?

I lived with a guy who had a puppy & we took her to training, she was the "queen" the trainer had a session where her very well trined dogs got to play with the puppies - she kind of put her in line... (I think she waited to long of rthat lesson...)

[Debbie]

Hmmm...that Gene dog looks a bit too smug...kinda like one of those little kids that look like an angel, but when your back is turned is teasing your kid. You know the ones I mean? Because, although Ozzie has a few 'problems', we know it can't be his fault, he's a lover, not a fighter!

[gail]

I'm really enjoying your Ozzi stories. You're a very good writer. P.S. I'm keeping my fingers crossed your job search ends successfully soon.

[Libby]

Maybe Ozzie wants to be 'teacher's pet' and feels with Gene in the picture there may be no hope. Gene's gotta go *s*

[sara]

Oh my, I don't know what to say about Gene! Ozzie is just full of personality, we should be thankful for that. Isn't Gene a great name for a dog, like Gene Kelly.

[Beth]

That picture of Ozzie and Remy is adorable! Hmmm, sounds more like Ozzie needs the Dog Whisperer!

[Mary Wood]

Ozzie just wants to be boss he might be getting bad vibes off Gene.Stick your heels in Ozzie and show them all that you can do it LOL.
Hugs Mary.

[Francisca R.]

Oh, that Ozzie! He is quit a character! I think he has to learn to ignore......but that's the hardest part!
My Rhodesian Ridgeback Shona HATES one Golden Retriever lady in the neighbourhood: and why??? We don't know! Shona is now 10 y. old, Lefty (the G.R.) is 11 y. old and this is the situation for 10 years now!
Shona has learned not to chase every deer, hare or pheasant, not to embrace everyone who comes to our house, that shoes are not there to eat (!).........but Lefty.......she will never learn I think.....
By the way, I think she would LOVE to play with Ozzie ànd with Gene (love the name!)
Woef from the Netherlands!

[Karen Lee]

Its true. Dogs are like people. Sometimes they just don't like another for no known reason.

But I like you! :>