MORE
ON SAMSON'S TEMPERAMENT
5/11/04:
I thought I would share a little more about our boy Samson
temperament. Since he is our first Shiloh and is now only
20 months old, we are still learning about him and curious
as to how far he will progress in his abilities. To say
that his temperament is different than any other dog that
we have ever had is to put it lightly. I have loved every
dog that I have owned and their personalities, but Samson
is a bit of an enigma.
Samson has
a temperament which he adjusts to the situation. However he
always gravitates strongly to being REAL laid back. When he
was younger, we thought that he was either a soft, or medium-soft
temperament. We are now convinced that he is a solid medium
temperament. 98% of the time, Samson is similar to a Golden
Retriever, but not so hyper. 2% of the time he is another dog.
He loves to be friendly and have a good time. However, if he
is challenged he will meet an aggressor in his aggression,
and will insist that they back-down. Yet, 5 seconds after he
has asserted himself he returns to his “let’s be
friends” attitude.
With children,
Samson understands that they must be treated with gentleness,
and care. I have seen him react when one of our grandchildren
pretends to be in trouble playing under an empty big box. Samson
ran over and got under the box in an instant to see if they
were alright. When we walk him he greets other dogs with friendliness.
We have repeatedly seen him ignore 2 or three nippy acts of
fear aggression. After about three, he will advance toward
the aggressor, but he gives them time to understand that he
is not threatening.
When we have
taken him for advanced training, we have numerous times seen
him lay on his side and tap a timid dog with his front paw
to ease the shy dogs anxiety. We have seen him do this with
dogs as small as a female Sheltie, to as large as a female
Great Dane who became aggressive after she was attacked in
her youth by a dog intimidated by her size. With these dogs,
the owner’s are amazed and have appreciative to us and
Samson for this dog therapy. The change in these dogs is something
to see. The female Great Dane abandoned her aggression and
became so bonded to Sammie that it was almost embarrassing
to the owners. The little Sheltie would come up to Samson,
happy to see him and with confidence. She ceased being skittish
with the other dogs. Other dogs have learned to play, and others
stopped being aggressive. A dog showing a lot of aggression
toward Samson, has the effect or drawing him. He walks toward
them like they are smiling. We have not let him completely
play out the last scenario to see what will happen.
I think Samson
is communicating to the other dog that he is not the slightest
bit intimidated. Samson would much rather have a good time
and make friends. However he is always thinking and understands
socially what we have taught him. Being a good big easy going
guy is where the rewards are!
-Raymond DuRussel, Michigan
|
