Black Master's Henna-Eole a.k.a. "Lady Impossible"

Black Master's Tervueren H-Litter (* 27 Feb 2004)

::Who is Henna::

I first met Henna when she was already a grown lady (two years and four months old) who had returend to her breeder because her former owner couldn't keep her. To me the exact details around that are still somewhat mysterious. I sat for hours in the Ritva's (breeder) garden with Henna and a little Groendalen puppy Wellu (Black Master's Well-Done) who was also waiting for a new home. It is very hard to explain but somehow I knew Henna was "the one". Going home that day I knew it was to be her. Henna wasn't always an easy dog and still isn't an easy dog. When she came to me she didn't really come when called. Unless she felt like it. Very soon she was so attached to me that it wasn't a problem anymore. Even now she primarily comes to me because she doesn't want to loose me.

 

Henna is a very dominant dog. Unfortunately she is also very easily scared in some situations. It is often hard to tell if the misbehaviour she shows is due to dominance or fear. Needless to say this makes training very difficult. In general Henna has now finally learned that leashes and collars are not dangerous. The reason she never heeled properly was apparently that she was scared. She would duck and try to get as far as possible away every time and so we started from square -10. Every step she took at my side got her a treat and no leashes were involved. Then we added a one foot light nylon rope to the collar, just have it hanging there and get used to it. Now Henna heels very nicely indeed. Henna is also scared of some women. Particularly elderly ladies who are thin and have short, light hair. Thanks to my "sunday training gang" Henna is now a lot more open and is allowed the same "freedom" as small puppies are in that (with advance warning of course) she is allowed to jump and happily greet anyone. This way she will hopefully be more confident around people.

Henna is very protective of her family. She would most certainly never allow anyone to be hurt. In situations where that was potentially necessary she will stand between me and the potential source of danger and growl. Although I think she is a little, fluffy teddy dog she nevertheless is "big" by most people's standard and shepherd is shepherd. Sadly Henna is absolutely incompatible with other dogs. Unless she knows them well from puppy hood. She will be ok with males most of the time but even that is a bit difficult because she plays much too wild. Henna cannot read dog behaviour. She can't tell if a dog is attacking her or wanting to play with her. However, recently she has shown some very nice progress in interaction with doberman and Border Collie females. No playing but no attack either. Which is very, very great for her.

After a lot of practising and indirect teaching Henna has finally "gotten the idea" of social behaviour amongst canines. She spend a lot of time observing "her" little puppy Laika interacting with other dogs. At first she was quite amazed how all of that works. Now, with the help of a very, very nice female dog named "Frau Schulz" (a Beagle Mix) Henna has had the opportunity to try out social behaviour. Then she encountered a doberman female she instantly liked. By now with the help of a muzzle for the initial introduction Henna loves playing with other dogs regardless of their sex. It seems that since she can't bite that "scary, strange dog" that scares her (just in case, you never know!) she comes to me and we say "hello" together and after that all is ok. She will even let other dogs win "play fights" and submit to other dogs for the sake of peace so long as it is on neutral grounds. I am so very proud of my girl!

Henna is a free spirit. She has no real interest in any type of "working" games like obedience, agility or tracking. The only thing she likes is retrieving objects. Other than that all she really wants is to run and to be free. Freedom and running is the greatest to her. She always appears truely happy to me when she is running free through forrests and fields. Henna is my beloved soul mate. I cannot think of a better companion than her despite her absolutely impossible behaviour.