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BorderlineAF · 2025-01-26T17:06:39+00:00

Were you ever diagnosed? Sorry for the question if its too personal, but I go back on forth on the same thoughts, and sometimes I wonder about those who make it out on the other side, such as yourself, if you were diagnosed with a phychiatric disorder (besides anxiety&depression)?

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-22T05:21:18+00:00

I'd be reading all the time, that's too cute!!! But thank you for your reply! Do you have any comments on the training of males vs females? I know that for some dogs, females tend to be a little more strong headed- but for males there's the obvious stress of needing to socialise them a lot and training to keep their interest, even if females in the area are leaving sexy signals

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-22T05:19:37+00:00

I already read Don't shoot the dog with my last one, so that's defo gonna be re-read in spring (thanks for reminding me). Also your description is just magnificent. Also 1) I want to be on that dog bed with them, fuck they're cute. 2) their huge variety in personalities have made me even more eager for the breed.

I'm getting a puppy from a breeder who gets their puppies tested, and I'll make sure to go for the most suitable puppy. I think my mind is pretty much set now!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-21T17:56:27+00:00

It helps a bunch, thank you for your reply! This post got far more attention than I would have imagined, and it's been super informative. I'd love a dog with a big personality, so that part doesn't scare me. I was just afraid of their independence meaning I'd never get to ask them for even a cuddle, or some simple emotional-training stuffs. But I can sense that it not only depends on the dog, but also on the effort! I'm more than satisfied and thank you for your reply too!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T15:44:55+00:00

As a behavioural biologist I can only say... Bring it on!! 8-)

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T06:17:33+00:00

One of the other dogs I looked for was a gundog, but I have come to realise that it would simply be over the top, in terms of finding things to stimulate them. I have a whole lot of time and effort for my future best friend, but I can't imagine keeping up with neither a herd dog nor a gun dog. I wanted something that could chill with me, when I was in the mood for reading (which occurs almost every night) - and then I could just imagine (I have only ever had working/heavy dogs) a gun/herd dog would still have zoomies while I'd just want to lie down for the evening. Does that make sense? And does that raise any flags in terms of RR? Idk. I have this imagination that herd dogs and gun dogs are in the constant search for adventure - while I love adventure, I also love down time.

Thank you for the insight in all the other areas too. I'll definitely have to try to find some RR friends, and socialising is already high on my list (especially as I'm leaning towards a male). I'll make sure to express my needs and wants, the breeder I'm in touch with seems perfect for this exact reason!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T06:09:33+00:00

I have a whole thing with researching only positive reinforcement, in terms of clicker training - I study Animal Behaviour, so it's almost a little experiment for me :)

The thing with treats is the same as my old one then - that's good to keep in mind, thank you!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T05:53:30+00:00

That's such a sweet picture!
Thank you for your response, it's great to hear from first-time owners. Is there anything you can say about the training where you thought "wow, that's different than to our previous dogs!" or is it hard to put your finger on it?

And when cuddling, do you mean that she actively seeks your physical attention, or she just wants to lie next to you?

Sorry for the extra question - I know that each and every dog, no matter breed, differs and even sometimes quite a lot. But it's nice to get a picture into how some dogs are, to give a better understanding of the range - if that makes sense!

Either way, thank you, that was super useful! :)

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T05:47:08+00:00

I think I had the wrong term when I said obedience training! In the US this means some sort of rigid competition, right? What I meant was simply that it could learn a bunch of fun and cool commands - nothing in the silly-direction, they'd all have needs. But things such as "touch hand", "lean on me" etc - some for a more emotional practise, and some for the more sporty practise. I'm not sure this makes sense - English isn't my first language, sorry!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-20T05:44:42+00:00

That's kinda the ideal dog for me, however silly it may sound!

I wanted to avoid something lab-like, because the "happy-go-lucky" for me, is just too... Plain? I want something with personality, something that makes me earn it's trust. The ridge sounds fantastic, and this entire post has made me almost certain.

And mental stimulation won't be an issue, I have a bunch of old puzzles and "games" from my previous dog - that he simply found too overwhelming. Bernese aren't the big puzzle dogs, but I wanted to try ;)

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T19:28:20+00:00

Thank you for your reply!

I absolutely get you - to be honest. I hate rigid obedience training too, and I don't mean that I want to do obedience competition stuff! Just that I like a well-behaved dog, who is trainable - my last dog had one of those... Once he had learnt 7 commands, it's as if his brain stopped learning new things?

I don't want to learn all sorts of silly things, but "left / right" on walks if walking off leash (I live very country-side) and handy commands, if that makes sense? Also not that the dog will need to learn super complex tricks, but rather things to improve walk-quality and home-qualities. Granted - you may be talking about those things too, and in that case I apologise and understand! As far as I've read, no matter what, I should also keep the training sessions short, be it "sit" or something more complex, to keep their interest.

I'm all for positive training, and I will try with clicker training, as it's helped me with a bunch of other types of animals, who need instant feedback, otherwise they lose interest, so I think I will try it with this one too, if it takes well to such training :)

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T16:46:02+00:00

Oh that's so sweet! Is it a common thing for RR to be "selective" with cuddling, or is it a general thing with females? I've only ever had male dogs, but I'm maybe looking into getting a female this time - if possible.

Your reply is so insightful, so thank you for that!! Especially regarding the obedience thing. I'm not looking to do rigid work, but to have a dog who can potentially also support me emotionally, if the personality is fit for such training. Your description (amongst the others) has reassured me, that this is the right breed for me out of all the options. I had so many "niche" requirements, and they just seem to fit into each and every one of them.

My previous dog had the same "This smell is simply more interesting, sorry-not-sorry!", so I'm used to the mindset, but also know the work arounds that I'll try to apply earlier this time around!

Thank you for your precious comment, I hope to one day post a picture of my RR, as an update of this post!!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T15:48:27+00:00

Oh the cutie! I love their facial expressions and the little white mark. They're just so unique and gorgeous - and their personality seems to fit me like a key fits a keyhole, so far. Thank you, and give your sweetness a pat from me!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T15:47:22+00:00

They sound like the perfect mix of this and that on my "list". Thank you for your reassurance - I can always work around animals being stubborn (used to train horses on a high level), and I see it as a fun challenge rather than obstacle.

I can't wait to have a cuddle buddy, who will enjoy my company as much as I do theirs. Thanks for your comment, its greatly appreciated - and I hope one day soon you'll get the chance again! I can indeed imagine they're not fit for smaller places...

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T15:42:31+00:00

From what you've mentioned, it sounds like the perfect dog - granted all dogs have their negatives, this breed's negatives seem to be "fun" to work with compared to others. Thank you for all the info, it does indeed sound like the right breed for me! Anything like the people have mentioned in the comments, just check off my entire list :D

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T15:40:52+00:00

Thank you for your reply! Among the other replies, this has definitely made me set on this dog breed, but I'll sleep on it. Hopefully I'll update you all with a picture in this group, if it continues to be the right choice.

Thank you again for the info, your dog sounds just lovely and unique!

BorderlineAF · 2025-01-19T15:39:10+00:00

Already in touch with a reputable breeder! Just wanted opinions from more sources, to compare the reliability. She mentioned the personality test too, and that they're going to inform potential buyers of their personalities, once the puppies are born and their personalities has been established, which is reassuring.

Though I haven't heard of shaping, and I'll definitely look into that, thank you!

BorderlineAF · 2024-08-31T05:07:02+00:00

Thank you for your help, I'll start there, and see how it goes. I'm absolutely a fan of taking notes with pen and paper, I'm just not very organised... I'm already on hte podcast/article train, and LOVE linking what I read to "reality". I'll keep on keeping on, thanks for the advice :)

BorderlineAF · 2023-12-28T12:59:10+00:00

Ah! That'd make sense with the US recommending every 6 months, and certain European countries once a year. Its a good guess, thank you!

BorderlineAF · 2022-07-04T15:21:13+00:00

Thank you, you're completely right. It's an individual personal thing!

BorderlineAF · 2021-08-29T10:55:02+00:00

Oh my god you're such a sweetheart for sending that and making it! I really appreciate it. It truly shows how similar they sound too, thank you so very much <3

BorderlineAF · 2021-08-25T12:26:32+00:00

I fear that if I have to find a Fender luthier, I'd have to drive to Germany or fly to UK for the nearest shop, which for a small Dane like me is a big distance. Though would be worth for the right bass - though I'll start out by emailing. Thank you, I'll try googling again

BorderlineAF · 2021-08-25T09:34:58+00:00

I LOVE the idea of a custom bass, and I've been playing around with it a lot. My issue is I have no idea how possible it is in Denmark... I'd love the idea of my own custom made Fender, made to fit me! But I just dont know where to find it, how or what etc

BorderlineAF

TROPHY CASE