You want to buy a pup because you want to excel in IPO, agility, show, or something else? - Page 3

Let's face it - a GSD doesn't need IPO to become a good dog, but it needs structure and routine, no matter the venue.
There are people who can't deal with working dog temperament, those people instead of buying GSDS "light" should stay away from our breed. There are more than enough pet breeds out there.

For me the most dangerous point in the mindset of people is the "companion" part - people read companion and think " no problem " - but that's not true -
a GSD is supposed to be a working dog first and foremost, ABLE to be a companion, in case you know how to handle this breed.
So called pet breeds behave different whereas a bored working dog breed may become dangerous.
Potential buyers should be aware of the difference, and in case they are not willing to deal with it, they should decide themselves for another breed, but not for a Golden looking like a GSD.

Personally, the GSD has always been a Family Dog first and a working dog second. Temperament and nerve first, drive second! It's always been our motto and I'm going to keep it that way. Strong Nerves and solid Temperament produces strong dogs with working ability.

I agree with Susie. I think a working dog in which some of the very strong instincts have been preserved can become hard to deal with ( or even dangerous ) if that dog is raised without structure. You cannot just leave this dog alone for long hours and come back home to expect a " cutie pie " after a year or more of this.

I have seen GSDs raised this way and had to be given away before age of 2 because the family just could not deal aggression issues which developed over time.

I think it requires a dog with a screw loose to become aggressive with its people....assuming the dog is getting enough stimulation for it's drive level.

Only dogs I have seen become aggressive around their own people are ones that have had half ass PPD training by incompetent people.

 

Have seen a lot of idiots harass and hype their puppy up until it gives an aggressive reaction thinking its hilarious to watch the little puppy bite....then puppy matures and can't understand why its gets punished for the game it was taught.

None of the last four posts will get any argument from me. It is important that new owners should recognise what the breed is 'about', the work it was created for; and that these attributes in a dog need an owner who can handle them, work with them, not just allow the dog to be a spoilt (and thus possibly dangerous) pet. THEN they will have a sane and well adjusted, excellent companion. With which they can start to learn about whichever sports or actvities interest them. They should not expect to 'excel' at first, however, and maybe not with this first dog. (However good its bloodlines !) Winning is nice, but it isn't everything. And it does take work; not just in a commitment (inclination, energy, time, money)

from the owner, but a well-raised dog, one not made neurotic by human incompetence.

What the 'newbie' should NOT do is to ignore all I've just said, and get a 'cute pretty GSD puppy' they have not done any 'homework' on, and do not know the first thing about raising properly, then bring it up like it is a Chihuahua or Spaniel. That way lies the Shelter before age 2, probably with somebody being bitten along the way there.

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Western rider

With some dogs the mental /emotional maturity lurks in the background and all of a sudden things come out of the dog that you never saw before like a distinct jump in aggression accompanied by confidence.
An inexperienced person " leaving a pet at home " will find it difficult to deal with these unexpected but natural/emergent changes in the dog.
I have seen dogs that will drag you all over the place pinch collar or not.

Incompetent owners can turn any pup even ASL into what you have.... Its not confidence, its lack of leadership and training.

Folks seem to agree that dogs mature physically over time and by 2 a substantial amount of physical growth is accomplished. So VK give a logical argument why features of mental maturity cannot become emergent with age as well??

You don't understand logic.