I think maybe the game Fetch is burned into the genes of certain dogs. I went to considerable lengths to discourage it, knowing full well I can’t keep up with Tobie’s energy. But he has independently invented a version that only requires me to kick his toy. My role is to attempt to kick it past him while he plays goalie. When I score, he briefly punishes the toy for collaborating with the enemy before bringing it back and depositing it neatly for another kick.
He presents me with this game pretty much any time I’m in the kitchen corner. If I’m really busy I refuse to play, but if – as in this case – I’m just making a cup of tea, I figure why not. He seems to get a lot of pleasure from it, and it’s certain he could use more exercise than he’s been getting from me.
That little fake Kong wheel originally had a chew rope through it. I got it at the dollar store and while the rope didn’t last long at all the tire’s durability has surprised me. He’s had it almost all the time he’s been here and it’s easily his favorite toy.
Funny how different they can be. Little Bear, Ghost and Torso Boy didn’t understand the concept of toys at all. Tobie completely gets it.
Exactly the same game our cairn terrier plays. Won’t drop it when snagged tho’ until frustrated with lack of repeat. Also tosses it on her own, then chases it. Cheap entertainment.
I ran across a pretty talented dog once who displayed impressive fetching ability. He was a black lab – probably a rescue – well configured and evidently sharp in many other respects. We wound up out in a very open scrubland once – miles and miles of open space with a clump of grass every few feet and plently of loose smaller rocks. He’d brought me a rock in his mouth – obviously inviting the game. At first I only tossed the rock 30-50′ – but we worked it out to as far as my arm could put it – maybe 80-100 yards. He did this with 100% success more than a couple dozen times – even a few when I tried to fake him. It was obvious he really enjoyed the challenge. From what I could observe – he started out with whatever visual he could get from watching me – then over to auditory – and finished off with the nose. He probably put on nearly a mile of sprinting and jogging during that session.
I’m sure plenty of other dogs could do that – but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen such a talent firsthand.
BTW – Toby is really shaping up to be a well configured dog too. He looks like he could capably grow into the type of lifestyle you have to offer. Seems to have a good amount of both mind and body.
I was saying to neighbors this morning that, although I’ve always assumed he’s a mixed breed, I’m starting to question that. He is approaching his adult shape, and during his rapid growth he never awkwardly grew in random directions like LB, who was very much a mutt, did. He has always looked good. Leading me to wonder if he isn’t pure Anatolian. Wish I knew a local expert for an informed opinion.
Well – we’re probably on the same continent – so that’s kinda’ local… Besides – it’s a global village ™ – doncha’ know!
Likewise – I’m fairly adept w/ a search engine, and in interwebs terms – a fine “expert”!
A few pages of image search certainly suggests Tobie resembles them in all regards I noticed. I couldn’t help but notice that some grow to a size where a saddle might be useful. Hope you can afford to feed him if he pulls that on you!
The wikipedia page for the wider breed brings up some differences between the Anatolian as an American breed and the ways the Turks viewed the dog. No biggie – but Tobie is a product of some years of breeding to US standards – fwiw.
Speaking of breeding to US standards – that whole business is a circus. There are so many “ifs, ands, and buts” to what goes on with “breeders” that actual pedigree is greatly more important that bloodline/breed alone. Too, every litter tends to a sort of pecking order and that alone is very important to outcome.
I’ve been around a number of the active herding dogs, but not so much the guardian herd dogs. The traits that are cultivated are interesting – but it would seem to lead to a different set of dynamics than if working with a herding dog. Figuring out how to work with a dog or breed’s innate skills is a large part of a good partnership.
Tobie may be pondering the same thing himself! He does seem to be actively training you at times.