Puppy Behavior - Page 1

We are looking for a companion German Shepherd puppy. We went to a breeder of German imports. They had 1 male puppy left from litter of 4. The puppy was curious, not afraid, cute, ect. We liked everything about him except when we tried to hold him he would squirm and be very vocal until we put him back down. At one point in time when I was holding him he even growled and squirmed from side to side. What does this mean? He is 9 weeks old. The breeder was able to hold him and he was calm but not with us!! Thanks

From a puppy evaluation test: Part 2: Now place puppy gently on his back, with tester's hand on chest, and start counting slowly 1 (1000), 2 (1000), 3 (1000) etc. until you reach to 10. Be sure to release immediately when puppy starts to struggle. 1-3 seconds = Independent & strong willed! Possibly difficult to train/ needs firm control from "alpha" leader. 4-6 = Very good, but will have a "mind of his/her own" at various times (owner will need to "outsmart" this one!) 7-10 = Very submissive, will not take any real "intuitive" without owners consent. Will need constrance guidance & confidence "boosts" So, I would say this puppy is going to be very independent and strong willed. It may not make a good companion dog unless you know how to handle and train a strong willed dog who will challenge you.

hi Sunsilver, what puppy test are you referring to? cindy

Thanks for your help. The breeder said they temperment tested and puppy got mostly 3 and some 4. When I turned puppy over on his back, he did nothing! Everytime we tried to hold him he vocalized and squirmed!! We loved everything else about him. I guess I am just looking for validation that he probably isn't the right choice for us!!

Why would you think he is "NOT" the right puppy? "We love everything else about him" If I see the dog is calm with the one who has cared for him, for the last 9 weeks and has started to bond to, I would feel great about it. If the breeder has a good reputation with long success in breeding the GSD, I would trust his/her word on it. Look at it this way. If you have an infant child, and a total stranger picked them up, do you think they would be calm and happy about it as with his/her parents? Of course not. Purhaps sit on it and go back and visit again. It sounds like a possible missed opportunity on your part. Best Regards, Dennis Johnson www.johnsonhaus.com

This sounds like a good puppy, and one who is resistant to being dominated by a stranger. If he responds to training well he sounds just fine to me. I would give this boy a second look. Remember, that was just one (1) section of the extensive test. My Opinion, Bob-O

Hello Jennit...I agree with the last couple of posts...I never go on just one visit to anything...If I look at a pedigree...of course I'm going to get a first impression...and if it's totally bad then I might or might not give it another look...but if there is any positive in there then I would definitely take another look on another day...You seemed to like a lot about this puppy...and puppies change from day to day...So I would go back on another day and check him out again...and if you still get the same impression that you don't like him for some reason...then so be it...But I think it's worth the time and effort to have another look...Everyone has a different opinion and your's counts just as much as anyone else's... ~Bob~

It totally depends on the personality you're looking for and what you're planning on doing with the puppy. From my recent experience looking at litters and buying some pups over the past two years, the puppy sounds to me to be a bit on the dominant side. I can't tell you the number of ads I've seen, the kennel web sites I've gone to and the breeders I've talked to that will say they have one "pick of the litter" left and when I say I want a mellow, not high drive, not alpha or dominant puppy they'll say the puppy isn't, only to find the puppy is exactly that. I think that's why they are the one male or female puppy left. Terms like "curious" "independent," "an explorer" etc. are often codes for a future dominant dog and while a "high drive" puppy is great if you're going into SchH work, he might not be what you want if you're simply looking for a companion. This puppy could be fabulous, but you want to make sure that he'll make a good match for your home and needs. Good breeders will be interested in placing their puppies in the homes that will bring out the best in their puppy's personality. I would talk to the breeder some more and get a better history of this puppy's personality over the course of its 9 weeks. A good breeder will be able to spot personality and temperament traits pretty early on and 9 times out of 10, that early personality is the one that translates into adulthood. What you've said is that he's already 9 weeks old and he's fine when he's doing what he wants to do, but not when he's asked to doing something he doesn't. He's grown up with the breeder so he's probably comfortable with him/her (and or has been corrected for naughty behavior in the past by the breeder). I personally haven't met many puppies that aren't cute so that doesn't count. :) No puppy should growl at you. Patricia McConnell's books are great at understanding dog behavior and she even has a case with a puppy that acted dominant and growled. A puppy that's squirming, growling and vocal may not be the companion dog you want so get another look at the puppy, ask the breeder questions and make sure you're fully informed.

"I guess I am just looking for validation that he probably isn't the right choice for us!!" I think this one sentence you wrote is what your heart and gut are telling you. Listen to that voice inside you and begin looking for a different pup. Always trust your instinct.