COBBERDOG TRAITS
Understanding Cobberdogs
An Honest Look at the Pros and Cons
Understanding Cobberdogs
An Honest Look at the Pros and Cons
Undoubtedly the Australian Cobberdog is a wonderful dog breed, attested to by thousands of owners across the world who claim their Cobberdog is the most amazing dog they've ever had. But like most things that sound too good to be true there is a "BUT" lurking. There can be a tendency, especially for 1st time dog owners, to expect a puppy to arrive from the breeder, a ready made Therapy dog. This is not true and is an unrealistic expectation of ANY puppy, including Cobberdogs.
ALL puppies will try you out to see who is pack leader in the same way they worked it out in their first pack - their litter - with the only tools they had: Nipping, jumping , growling, teasing, rough play and so on. Which bro or sis will back down? Which ones will not? They quickly learn to work out their place in the hierarchy of their pack and become experts at reading body language. They finally have it all worked out. THEN EVERYTHING CHANGES! Their whole world is uprooted and turned upside down when suddenly they're taken away from everything they've known since they were born, and plonked into a new pack! (you and your family). So your new puppy has to start from scratch, using the same tools that worked before. What other option do they have? For the first few days they are overwhelmed by all the loving and adoration you're giving them. Their every wish is your command. Wow! 
But they are watching you all the time, like they did with their siblings, weighing up your weaknesses and strengths. And if you don't provide firm and consistent guidelines regarding what you expect from them the roles will quickly be reversed until they are training you! The intuitive smarts this breed has, is as equally applied to what you don't want, as to what you do want. If you and your family don't show your new puppy that you are his/her pack leaders FROM DAY ONE, the puppy will quickly take on the role of pack leader by default. If you are a 1st time dog owner, or especially if you are a busy parent managing special needs children, I strongly recommend that you arrange for a trainer to visit your home regularly for the first few weeks. 
Pros - when trained early
* The ultimate Therapy Dog and family companion, wise and gentle
* Goofy fun nature, they love to make you laugh! * Sensitive affectionate, loving, empathetic and respond intuitively to human emotion * Sociable and non aggressive, patient with children * Intuitive, eager to please and thrive on training * Seek a deep connection with human eyes * No Shedding, No doggie smell even when wet * Respond best to positive but firm and consistent training methods * Three sizes - Miniature Medium and Standard There should be no difference other than their size. I have heard that some are saying that smaller sizes are not suitable as Therapy dogs due to higher energy levels. This should not be so. Cons * Cobberdogs can be too smart for their own good and need early training to reach their full potential. Consistent training is essential from day one with such a smart and intuitive breed. * They have an irrepressible sense of humor. It can be hard to be firm with a goofy clownlike puppy who loves to make you laugh! But firm you need to be. * Cobberdogs are so intuitively in tune with your thoughts that until they have some training and know their place they can be cute and loving one minute and attention seeking destructive brat children the next! * They're sensitive and their feelings are easily hurt. Always use their name to praise or reprove your puppy. If for instance you're yelling at the (human) kids, then your puppy will know he/she isn't the one in trouble because his name wasn't used. A confused puppy is a naughty or destructive puppy. |