Which do you prefer and why? - Page 1

We have 2 male puppies from the same litter that are 8wks old.  Since 5wks old we have been observing them closely. One loves the flirt pole rag and the other one shows no interest in the pole, but will latch onto our pant leg and will NOT let go while growling the entire time. It does not matter if we move or not.  He is determined to hang on.  The other puppy is the same but only with the flirt pole rag. Both boys very intense and very focused during this play.  

I was wondering if I you would share opinions on which puppy is perfered and why.  Thanks for your opinions!

if you are looking for a sport dog i would go with the one that isn't vocal..   they are really coming down on vocal dogs these days..

yeah the growling is no good. I'd go with the other one.

Actually my perefence is Personal Protection, PSA.  As for sports dogs, since I am not into sport as in Sch, why are they considering the growling no good for sport dogs? Thats interesting?  I know growling can be a sign of stress or too much pressure, but if judges know how to read a dog, that shouldn't be an issue, Right? To a certain extent, I like a vocal dog, if its for the right reasons.

Judges in schh will take points off for most growling because it shows lack of confidence and its not a "calm" bite. I don't know much about psa.

Jody is one of the most knowledgeable people that I have ever met.  Her advice should be taken seriously, she knows dogs and absloutely knows working dogs.  She is one of the best people at judging pups from a litter as well.

JMO FWIW

I don't like that they paint the vocalization with one broad brush and declare it's all because of lack of confidence.  Though I do agree that many of the dogs who vocalize are doing it because of nerves. 

But...in my household of 8 dogs, I have two who like to talk, a lot (my dad's GSD boy Benjamin and one of my doxie girls, Clarabelle.)  They mumble, groan, whine, grump and bark about things all the time, sometimes it sounds like they're saying full sentences with all mumbly groany noises.  When they're playing, chewing on toys/treats, sleeping (yes, they talk in their sleep, lol,) excited, bored, etc.   So I have to imagine that there are some dogs who are just like them and they continue their talking during bitework too.  Not as a sign of nerve issues, but just because it's their personality and how they like to express themselves.   I think they just love to hear themselves, lol.  

If you're talking about puppies...They change so much...The very BEST thing to do is to let them mature and see which one turns out for the best...

Most of the time a puppy will show you what they're going to be...but occasionally they will be one way as a puppy and will turn out to be a Super Great Dog...So everything depends on a particular dog...If you have to choose when they're a puppy...that's one thing...But if you have the luxuary to wait...then I'd wait and see how they mature...

Different breeds mature differently...German Shepherds are very difficult because they can all mature differently...Some are great a 5 weeks old and you can see how good they're going to be...and then there's others that don't show you what they're going to be until 10...or 11 months of age...So if you know the blood lines that one thing...but in reality it's a wait and see process...

Growling is usually a sign of a dog that's not confident...but not always...So to me...if I was asked the question "which puppy would you choose"...I'd take the one with the higher prey drive....because the defense will usually come out as they mature...Whether it be fore Sport...Street or PSA...



~Bob~

Veiwed two different litters with two different sires.  These pups were really intense with shredding your pants not letting go etc.  Not one matured to any interest in sleeves all ended up being duds for sport.  Go for the flirt pole monster.  Nicest bitch I ever had here was a pant biter couldnt hit a sleeve to save her life.  I went to multiple clubs with her and no one could get her to engage she just didnt perceive any real threat.  Huge disappointment.  Her obedience was amazing and man do I ever miss that gal.  One of the nicest most level headed critters ever but alas she couldnt be titled so she ended up in a great pet home. 

I have a young dog who was terrible with pant legs, and he regripped into my legs! I was black and blue for about 4 months. He also loved to play with a flirt pole and anything else that moved.
This young dog, when he was 8 weeks, actually walked over a 4'x4' drainage grate in a parking lot, stood in the middle and looked down...not afraid, just interested. He did the same for the second drainage and the third grate.
He's turning out to be a very good sport dog. I call him my boy toy because he's so much fun to work with.

Check puppies for environmental stressors.....
Having a good dog for protection, psa or sport includes a dog that doesn't freak in public or at home, it must be completely sound. Heights, surfaces, noises, other dogs...


I guess I'm trying to say that where a puppy decides to bite is just part, and having a dog which is too far one way or another isn't optimal for me.