Dogs that spin vs. Dogs that don't - Page 7

Ravenwalker-  The video was not a dog I own but in fact I think just a random video Jeff posted to help support his point he was trying to make.  But in addressing your post above with respect to my bitch that spins- she's not "out of control" as I stated my 10 yr old daughter works with her in obedience and tracking but since she's too young to be doing any type of bitework I do it for her with her standing by watching to observe what is happening and to ask questions.  We don't train at a club- it's all one on one with a trainer who's been involved with training for a number of years.  We've only had the bitch a few months and we've already seen a significant difference in her since the first day we ever worked her.  She's a very nice bitch and if I knew how to download videos off my camera and camcorder I would have had no problem posting them so you all could see what I was referring to when it came to the spinning.  She's a Balli daughter and from what I understood in my research of her father is that he produced civil dogs that were stable with solid nerves.  I've spoken to a lady that owned a Balli bitch who she said was a lot like my girl, she produced well for her but was not a high point scoring dog.  Which is fine with me if that's the case with my girl.  She's a nice dog that my daughter can start learning to handle a dog that is what I personally like as a whole.  My initial post was not to come off sounding like I was "complaining" just wanted to know why dogs spin.  From the different input of so many who posted it sounds like it can be attributed to a number of things just all depends which circumstances a particular dog falls under is how you'd get the answer to the question.

It was good topic though for conversation.  Thanks everyone for staying on track and being respectful towards others input.

I was there and just have to say that I think you all got the wrong impression of what Agar is trying to say.  The dog was not in a frenzied spin.  It looked to me like she just wanted to go and didn't like being tethered, that's why I said she may just be trying to break loose.  This was not complete out of her head loss of control, just one quick spin and then refocus on the decoy.  Nice girl and she seems stable enough to me.

I didnt think the dog was out fo control in everything...just the bite work.  If the dog is doing something that you do not like or is not correct in bite work and you cannot correct or control the situation....then I say that is out of your control.    Not saying the dog was bad or a demon.

Its probably a good idea to stick with what the trainer says....he sees what is in front of him.  Asking on forums in this situaltion probably wont do you much good.  I

The dog only did one spin?  It was my impression that as soon as the whip was cracked the dog started spinning like it was chasing its tail.  Not so sure what the big deal is if it did it just the one time.

Ravenwalker-  I guess I did not explain it too well and maybe gave the wrong impression.  No she was not spinning like chasing it's tail type thing.  Sparrow probably paid closer attention than I was since I was watching the decoy, the dog, the line, my daughter standing next to me...too many things to keep my eyes on at once.  If the weather holds up (which is probably won't) lol  I will pay closer attention to her this week.

And yes, it's hard to describe and get feedback on a forum without the person being able to see what you are talking about.  That's why I like videos to use as props to get the message clearer but I can't figure out how to work the stupid camera to upload my videos to share online.  My video file keeps saying it's too big.  I will get it one of these days.

Look we never know what is going on in the dogs head.  From training and experience we hypothesize about what we are observing.  Seeing what is taking place in person is the best, video is okay but must be shown in its entirety with sound.  Written description is okay but pertinent info must be given.  Having said this how do we know the dog is trying to get loose?  Has it gotten loose in the past and had success with a spin.  Displacement behavior does not have to be many consecutive spins.  One spin means it is frustrated and can't or does not know what to do with itself in this situation.  Just that it is in conflict and the spin is displacing that frustration.  Which can once again be indicative of a nerve issue, even if ever so slightly.

Kyle

Question to go with the displacement behaviour theory. (I am still waiting for ANY video, of a dog other than a GSD spinning during bitework) So would we say that excessive barking during bitework, agitation, or OB would be in the same vein? The dog does not know how to handle the stress of "too much drive" there by making it nervy or having some sort of nerve problem? You have all seen the dogs that won't shut the hell up during OB when there are decoys out on the field?

Is that the same thing?

Gard

I don't have video and I don't know if this will help, but all my dogs spin before taking a dump.  Even my Dobe did years ago.  I hope you can find some use of this info. 

If the first video was an example of a person over stimulating.......that makes much more sense to me now and get the point.  I thought it was an example of normal training.

My dog spins WHILE she is taking a dump.  What does that mean?  It is always counter clockwise.  I hope ccw spins while taking a dump doesnt indicate a nerve problem.......if so I will try to get her to spin cw from now on.

My dog walks forward in a straight line while he is taking a dump.  Does that mean he's clearer-headed than a dog that circles while taking a dump?    LOLOLOLOLOLOL