litter mate behavior - Page 2

I had a pup in my last litter exactly like that. However, he was in no way, shape or form insecure or scared of anything. When people came to look at the litter, he would check them out, unafraid, then be content to chill with me. Aloof, basically, at 6 weeks. He has matured into a kind of bully and is overprotective, pushy, and a "macho man". His owners have really had to stay on top of his training to keep him under control and have been doing a great job. I agree with MI GSD, thats your troublemaker. Introverted doesn't always mean fearful.

I agree with Bob_O. Thbis puupy will be very good for a family but maybe not for show or work. If he does not care for what you offer him in the future (toys, food) then he would be quite difficult to train. However, maybe, since it is still young, you could bring out some of the drive and work for it (that is, if you think it is worth it in all other aspects...). I have a bitch just like him, a Whisky Bierstadter Hof daughter, lazy like her father. How old is the puppy now? Maybe you should also look for other causes, for example a preliminary x-ray for HD would take out the possibility of this behaviour due to potential hip-problems.... All the best.

Something to add: All those who categorise him as "your future troublemaker" do not have a clue about positive reinforcement training, Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, Bob Bailey, etc. Am I right or am I right?

Hi eveyone, The pup is only 6.5 weeks old. He does interact and play with the others in the litter as well. It's just that SOMETIMES he seems to be watching and thinking instead. It isn't instead of normal puppy behavior but rather In addition to it. I will do temperament testing on day 49. Robert54...your description sounds like you were describing his sire almost and he is a PP dog. I will send you a photo of the puppy face if you e mail me or post your e mail on here. AK-I have noticed hints of this behavior for about 2 weeks and like I said, this is not instead of all the normal puppy behavior but in additionto it. I do have one pup who seems to lag behind a little, in my mind he is slated for a pet home. What I am seeing in this pup is different. He is attentive to me, maybe a little more than the others but it is too soon to say on that.

gsdlvr2, I have a female right now that does that same thing. She has the drive for schutzhund, but she sometimes sit's back and thinks. She is definitely a problem solver, which I happen to like. She determines if it's worth it to chase the other dog's around or if it's just a waste of time. She is coming out to be an wonderful female with awesome drives and abilities. Have fun with this guy, and good luck, as my female is the pick of the litter.

Guys... do you think this temperament type is well worth the keep?... I mean were looking for decrease independence so we can train the pups better for work...Although he should have a good trainer to match. Does anyone has an idea on how to DECREASE INDEPENDENCE??? I'm seeing more independence on GSD's as compared to MALS making them harder to train... definitely if you could find a Dog who's ALL for you...Take me...feed me...train me(thinks)thats what we want in a working dog. Does anyone of you have a gameplan in genetics in improving for WORKING TEMPERAMENT??? Aside from getting into the HIGH Drives...Which line do you think has less INDEPENDENCY? (high thinking GSDs)

By the way INTERBREEDING (crossing with MALS)... IS OUT OF THE QUESTION!!! were already having problems making the breed visually uniform but with genetic diversity... We're just trying to find ways on improoving stock.

Purely anecdotal, but we chose our pup because he seemed more aloof then his littermates, more of a thinker. We wanted a relatively laid-back dog. At three. he is an excellent companion, friendly, but protective when needed. He is social with other dogs most of the time. He does not come from a high drive breeding. There are no indications of weak nerves, timidity.

I had a pup like that in my last litter. He watched what went on and seemed to be laid back and taking it all in. He was completely normal in his interactions with people and other dogs, but he preferred people and might take his time to get involved in stuff that the other pups were doing. When time came for new things, like the first time they ate out of a bowl during weaning, it was like he knew exactly what to do already. I decided that he was an old soul who's been here before and so, some things just weren't "new" to him like they were for the other pups. He is a completely normal pup and his people love him to bits. He's still an old soul though!

Oh, if we could only get inside their little minds!!!! Name him "Thinkker"