January 26, 2008
From Terrence:
I have seen a lot of extraordinarily intelligent behavior in GSDs. My old Sid was a real problem solver. But Gabe is pretty amazing. He has intense ball drive and we play in the house in the evening sometimes.
He taught me this game.
When he doesn't feel like chasing the ball anymore he lays down about 4 or 5 feet away from me (I am also sitting on the floor). He lays down in a way that his left arm is away from his
body (leaning his weight on his right elbow). He has the ball in his mouth, then he places it on the carpet near or in front of his left paw, and then he knocks it over to me. I toss it
back to him, he catches it, and again, he lays it on the carpet in front of his left paw and knocks it over to me. I did not train him to do this. He trained me! We have
played "catch" like this dozens of times. I have counted as many as 20 repetitions. And it is always the same; he always places it in front of his left paw and knocks it to me (and he is really
accurate--only rarely does the ball not go straight to me).
My wife and I were a little startled. I mean, this is damn near primate behavior. Anyway it is a lot of fun and he really enjoys it. So, you sold us a left-handed--I
mean--left-pawed dog!
So what is next? I am concerned. In a few years, I expect the game to evolve so that HE is the one throwing the ball and I and the one retrieving it!!!! Maybe he will learn to
pat me on the head and praise me when I bring back!
Maybe its something in the water down here--lol
Best,
Terence Hartnett