Bad temperment - Page 4

Yes Peter, the board can be somewhat addicting....lol. To say the least

They got the pup from a shelter, who offered to take him back with a refund. The owners didn't want him euthanized, and thought they could turn him around because he is so young. When they first came in they were "correcting" him by saying "nooo" in a soft voice and had their hand on his back. They have definately contributed to the problem. Thanks Makosh for the tips. If they want to put in the effort, I think they should be given all the help they need to give him a chance. However I feel they must do this with preparation for the future. He is manageable now because he is small, but in a few months he will not be. Then, they need to face reality and put him down if he does not turn around. It sucks to put down a dog so young now, but its going to suck even more when the dog is 8 months old an has bonded with its family. This dog is one you must see to believe. I never thought a pup could act this way. In my opinion I don't see him turning around, especially after reading all your comments. The liability factor alone would do it for me. Thanks again to all.

Alpha, Still waiting for your answers? Perhaps this dogs final home is to be with you and your family?

GSDfan, the family gets a big E for effort, some things can be fixed,somethings can not,I rather make my mistake on the human end verses the canine end,If I save one child from going through what I mentioned above then I can sleep well at night. Not only the bite incident it's self but the terror that child will carry with him the rest of his life.....

Wildthing - A dog that will look you in the eyes is hardly scared to death! I seem to be missing reports of the dog backing off, avoiding contact and trying to get away, avoiding eye contact, cowering, maybe even peeing. That would be fearful behaviour. The info provided from GSDfan also suggests that the current owners are NOT abusing this dog, but just lack experience to deal with this particular pup. BTW - the smartest dog breed out there is the Border Collie, followed by the Poodle. Not the GSD. And it is not the size of the cranial cavity that affects intelligence, but the size and more importantly the surface area of the brain. All that empty space in there does not really count... ;o)

This dog is not a fear biter.lol. He is Cujo waiting to happen.No doubt this time bomb will go off,it's just a matter of when and where....

Charlie to anwer ytour question i have severasl degrees -- 2.5 years med school , a math degree , a psych degree and a doctorates degree with much background in animal behaviorism , learning theory , perception /cognition , personality theory .. much more in child psych with a heavy background on caninem behavior , growth development , physiology , tyraining , learning theory , schutzhunmd , french and belgium ring sports -- have taught and aided mentally retared children and i could go on a bit more --but -- m books are not everything -- charlie -- i ahve the rweal world , real life experiences to go with canines too . i alsop worked in law enforcement , was on the forensic team .. with experitese in humaqn and canine bites .. i uinderstand full the scanario in reagards to aggression and caninme bite .. i can temperamewnt test a canin [ or choild ] as good as any of the bset .. have had plenty of experience too with amy a breed =-- owned and operated a canine school too . let me add - i can't typr for // %% 33 . i have also helped animal control in the past too .. now i have told several clients " the dog has bit before .. it will bite again .. these are your options .. i ahave no problem if the dog is deemed a menace and a danger .. i understand your position -- many a ti,me you are coorect =you have merit .. but one last time without a comprehensive detailed evaluation in real life with this 4 mos , 16 week pup -- how could anyone possibly condemn it / euthanise it ?? the fact is people and dogs can be helped ..

Cheers Alp' Admittedly, largely because I think that a dog is basically pretty simple to understand (much like a three-year old kid?), I haven't much faith in 'behavioral input', but do value your good intentions. I respect Charlie's mentioned practical experience rather more, but I also wonder if, at this young age there's really still plenty of hope? You'd have to see the critter, spend some time with it, make it ruthlessly and relentlessly clear who's now the boss, and who's there to obey! I'll bet you could turn this beggar around in no time, Charlie!

Alpha, most impressive, and I really mean that. And now if I could bother you for the answer to my second question,would you sign off on a dog that has been through rehab and stake everything you just listed above? All of it? The dog is fixed if you will and will not have another incident........Are you willing to take this poor dog into your home? Maybe GSDfan can arrange this.

I think he's a fear biter, but he does some things to contradict the fear biter theory. Sometimes he hides behind the owner, usually has his tail between his legs and is not a confident pup. But he'll stare you in the eye with his head down and cocked. He stare's at whoever approache's. He will go foreward to bite you and will usually not retreat, never pee's or cower's. I alway's try to look away when I am near him so I can't recall the position of his ears, but he growls and show's his teeth alot.