Posted on 01/08/2005 5:49:18 PM PST by WHATNEXT?
Of course, you know me, I have a Labrador Retriever, and the only thing she bites is her dinner. She literally loves everyone she meets, she leans on them and gazes up with a big grin on her face and wriggles all over when patted.
What's funny is that, despite that, she's quite protective She will stand between me and anything she thinks looks "funny", and stare fixedly at whatever or whoever she doesn't like. Since she's a dark colored dog (very dark Choc) she probably looks more threatening than a yellow Lab would. She also barks like a ferocious crazy thing at the doorbell or at any stranger outside (until you open the door . .. then she's all over them to kiss them.)
After reading some of the other poster's comments, I'd agree that your first step should be a conversation with the breeder, and try to get your money back (or at least give the problem back to the breeder).
If you have to take the other, more unpleasant route, you should definitely take action against the breeder and report him/her to the AKC.
They do... And they take real training and conditioning to be good in a home. I know a local Schutzhund guy and I absolutely am awestruck by his dogs. I'd love to have one, and I love watching the sport. But I wouldn't work with just any trainer, only him. There's a fine line between training an effective protection dog and just ending up with one that only protects himself.
Someday maybe.
I have been on my dog like white on rice since we got her at 12 weeks. She is always in training and that keeps her within the bounds of reason - if she were not properly trained she would be unbearable.
I'll say I have always been very firm with him when he has needed it. But, he doesn't blink.
My husband on the other hand finds it hard to reprimand. But, does try because he knows this is serious.
One test that I am aware of is to pick up the puppy and then put him down. Then you walk away from the pup. If the pup follows you, he's going be an easy-to-train pup.
That is what you really need to do, if you want to save this dog. And be prepared to take whatever steps to train yourself and your family too. Or give him to the guy or someone else in Schutzhund that is really trained to manage a dog like this.
And reconsider whether you really want another dog for protection if you don't want to fine tune protective training. A little yapper or a labrador is a good alarm, and a gun is good protection. Without training, a protective dog is dangerous.
From the AKC site: "The German Shepherd Dog does not give affection lightly and is known for his dignity and stature; it is also known as a "one-man" breed for its tendency to display serious loyalty and fidelity, especially to its owner or main caretaker."
Get a Golden Retriever! They act like pups even in old age. Only drawback is the floppy ears are prone to infection.
Have you tried staring him down?
A trainer is a possibility. But, we have put so much money into him. If I felt I had been lax in training and letting him get away with things, I might be more inclined.
Sorry, I meant to reply to the original poster.
Yes, in general that is a shepherd. But, we are his owner's and I don't doubt he would protect us if needed. But, he is challenging us....
You reported that the dog is beyond your experience level. If you aren't willing to put more money in the dog in training and/or serious obedience school, then you need to put him down or give him to a ~really~ qualified home, not some ad in the paper where is out of your life but he hurts someone else.
If that proves negative,talk to a reputable and I stress reputable trainer.They have extensive knowledge of animal behavior,and their honest opinion on your dog, can help you make a decision one way or another.I wish you the best with whatever your decision may be.
We have only one, a neutered male mastiff. His doggie friend is a minipin, both are house-dogs, both are neutered, she is 7, he is 1 yo.
We have socialized him with other dogs (my son's neutered female Golden spent the holidays here in the house, no problems) and the neighbors' horse and stock, and our chickens, ducks, children, grandchildren, strangers, family. He is trained to sit down (mostly he lays down) when we stop walking. He is always on a leash outside our house.
I met both his parents and they were also gentle, including the mother, although we didn't pet her, only interacted with the father, an intact (of course) male. The breeder did have a concern that the mother would not allow us to leave with her pup. She was behind a fence, with her own large house, in a breeding pen. We walked past her, she didn't growl, she didn't bark, she walked to the end of her fence with us and then sat down as we left. Pretty good behavior, in my opinion.
Right now, he'd protect himself, not you. That might accidently benefit you if an intruder came on the place, but it will be bad if it's Aunt Martha coming to the door.
He is not a controlled, trained protection dog that is working for you, but rather a sharp, aggressive dog acting on instinct. There is a huge difference.
In addition, we had him neutered at 6 months. He had not then, and he has not since, ever challenged us, disobeyed on purpose, or even put his teeth on us. We didn't allow that when he was little, and he's never done it.
We were warned specifically about training the dog that way by the breeder. She said, "Never allow him to mouth you or your clothing or any possessions that you don't want destroyed." So, we didn't. He had constant 24/7 supervision until 5 months old, mostly because for various reasons, I was at home for those three months.
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