GSDs - soft or scary? Discussions

Love it!

I'm afraid I fall into the "scary" camp - sort of!

When I was little (in the 80s) we lived next door to a pub, who kept 'Alsatians' as guard dogs. They were left in the back yard of the pub, had some sort of shelter to sleep in, and pretty much left to their own devices. The yard was always covered in poo etc.

We had a 6ft brick wall between the gardens/yards of the properties; however if Hevvur and I were outside in our garden, the slightest noise would set them off barking; and they would jump up and the wall, snarling and growling and hanging over the top.

None of the dogs ever got over of course, but it was, frankly, absolutely terrifying.

I've always been wary of them since. I suspect I've some into contact with too many of the numpty/GSD's are guard dogs type owners really.

There is a nice GSD down our road, called Guiness. He is a bit naughty, as he is still fairly young, but he is very huggable and friendly. He has done a lot for me in terms of getting to know GSDs.

I suppose half the problem is that my dogs don't like very hairy dogs - GSD's, Golden Retrievers, Setters etc. So I very rarely get to 'meet' them.

This thread isn't putting you off then

I think you have raised some really good points there Adam. I do believe many suffer from what you call "barrier frustration". Why do you think this is? A lack of stimulation (behind fences) or just the inherent guarding instinct surfacing? A lack of early socialisiation often leads to a lunging, barking shepherd on the end of a lead. Unfortunately though it is a vicious circle for some owners, as they have found other owners don't want their own dogs to socialise with an often large and boisterous young shepherd.
Do you think the less confident temperaments come from bad or less considered breeding? Or have you found it to be down to handlers who aren't strong in personality and don't give firm boundaries to their dogs?

I love the fact my shepherds are handler orientated, as it means they worship me and I can really get the best out of them

Excellent Do you have a breeder in mind? As well as your excellent list of things to do, also remember training, training, training A trained shepherd is a happy and relaxed shepherd.

Sorry, had to cut your post as it was so long Laura (with lots of excellent points).

I read Adam's post to mean that he has had GSDs and their owners in for training and that because he is a firm, consistent leader (who understands the needs of such a breed) and that their owners weren't, the shepherd has recognised his leadership qualities and has respected him, whereas walked all over his owners.

But I could be totally wrong

Adam?

This is the scariest Shepherd I`ve ever had...

I think you have to be a bit careful when talking about dogs `respecting` you. It is a human term, and sometimes has an element of fear or subservience to it. I wouldn`t say Daisy respects me, although she does do what I say without hesitation. But that`s because years of consistent training has rewired her brain. (I say A, she does B, good thing happens) not because she has any fear of consquences. Daisy has no fear - she will react to a threat with a threat, which is why she was aggressive. Showing her that her usual responses didn`t work any more and giving her alternative behaviours solved the problem.

For once in my life, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you Claire, and I agree with Kirsty, as respect from my dogs is of the utmost importance to me, they must never ignore me I'm afraid. I know you say it's a human term, but then so are all the other words we use when speaking about our dogs, coz we don't know of any other words do we, we always use "human" words and terms.

Here it is taken from the Oxford English Quote "respect [rɪˈspɛkt]
n
1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular he differs in some respects from his son
4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people's feelings
6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)
vb (tr)
1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for to respect one's elders
2. to pay proper attention to; not violate to respect Swiss neutrality
3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. Archaic to concern or refer to
[from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from re- + specere to look] Unquote

My current "big dog" is only 2 so this is a long term plan! I have to work on my OH too because when I mentioned this he said he would rather have another GSP . Well, I never thought I would hear him say that!! Ollie was erm.............quite challenging as an adolescent and the only thing that kept us all sane was training, training, training. I think Nic needs to meet some well balanced GSD's over the next decade or so. Yogi for example?

For my own safety, I am not scared of any particular breed as ANY dog can be aggressive. I love GSDs our next door neighbour when i was a student had a lovely male GSD and a female Jack russel. He was the softest thing going! i used to save the meat fats and trmmings (my dad used to buy me meat in bulk from his catering supplier!) and take it round to him. No wonder he loved me!

Anyway, I would never own one, but that goes for any long haired dog as i sneeze and my eyes water too much with long haired dogs, which is such a shame as there is nothing better thatn burying your face in a nice long coat of fur!

When it comes to China, i wont let her near one anymore, as she has a thing about long haired dogs! collies, GSDs, Huskies etc. even when they are trying to be friendly....alas i keep trying with the treats and praise but she isnt having any of it!

Alex
xx

Thanks Helen, and I do think I understand what Claire is getting at, but I still believe my dogs do, and should, respect me. It has nothing to do with fear in my relationship with my hounds.

Yogi would be only too happy to oblige When are you coming to Scotland? ;-)

No problem, my comment wasn`t aimed at you, it was about those people who say you `have to show them who`s Boss` . Like the `trainer` who advised me to give Daisy `a good slap` because she growled at a stranger walking in a door.

Wow pretty sweeping statement there Kirsty. It would certainly make me think twice about asking for help with any problems I have.

Oh, I'm never "the boss" around here, as you probably know by now;-) ! and to that so called trainer who told you to do that to Daisy !

Not sure what you mean Irena? My dogs all know what the boundaries and rules are in the house (just like my son does too), they are taught the boundaries at an early age (not with force but though repetition and reward). This means I am consistent (or try to be ) and the dogs know where they stand. I have found GSDs need strong leadership ... and by strong, I don't mean leading by compulsion and aversion, but they are the type of dog (or the ones I have had are anyway) that will take the lead if you don't. They like consistent, firm but fair, handling I have found. Of course, like anyone, I have made plenty of mistakes along the way and so would never wish to advise anyone on their problems unless I felt I could be of some use having been through it myself.

I hope you gave the "trainer" a good slap instead!

Watch this space.....;-)

I don't think you meant it to come across in that way but if I was new to the forum I might think I would be seen as a weak person if I did not have an obedient dog.

But having read posts for some time I know that often people who say they won't let their dogs ignore them also post that their dog doesn't take any notice of them at times, and when they say training is easy also say they have to revert to retraining at times. I just think all dogs are different and some respond easily to boundaries and some not so quickly to the same trainer and same boundaries.

Take Tala for instance ;-) Having seen recent posts on LD dogs I am thinking she is either very clever or a bit LD haven't yet decided! I was saying to a friend recently that if she was a person I would be inclined to diagnose her as having autistic tendencies.

Oh no, I certainly didn't mean if someone didn't have an obedient dog they were a weak person Not at all! I found out through experience with my first GSD that my own inconsistent handling and flexible boundaries confused my dog and so she didn't really respect or trust my leadership skills, and often took matters into her own hands (paws?!). I do believe that dogs will defer to a "natural" leader and usually that is someone who is gifted with dogs (certainly not me unfortunately!). For the rest of us mere mortals we just have to give our dogs as much guidance in training (which for me includes boundaries which everyone understands) as we give our children. That is what I try to do anyway.

And no, my dogs or my child are not always well behaved, more's the pity!