Your GSD's temperament around other dogs and people - Page 1

I have a bitch who's 20 months, West German work lines.

Ever since she hit sexual maturity she has been sharp and domineering with some other dogs, mainly small and weak nerved ones that are intimidated by her. Even puppies she'd snap at and try and pin down if I let her (I don't). I don't think she'd hurt one, but this behaviour does concern me a bit. She's ok with confident dogs. I keep her away from other dogs in public anyway, but is this a fault in her temperament? or am I reading into it too much? what are your GSD's especially the work lines like around other dogs? I can work her in class and she'll ignore other dogs.

Around people she mainly ignores them but is very suspicious if someone gets to close too quickly, more so if they approach suddenly or from the side. We will walk past people and she'll not even acknowledge them, but then there will be one particular person occasionally she goes into full alert mode over; no noise or aggression, just very watchful and heightened curiosity until we move away. She is very territorial of my property. Normal?

Prolly a lot to do with raising the dog. I would take her to a local akc obed training and work her at a distance from other dogs and over time diminish the distance, you will have to keep the dog's focus on you and not make a big deal about things so as not to reinforce the things you are trying to fix.

Low thresholds are usually indicative of insecurity or nerve problems but not always. The fact she gets up on weak dogs is not a good sign, ideally the weaker dog should not be capable if eliciting an aggressive reaction from your dog.

Its punk behavior to react or feel challenged by weaker dogs.

I did wonder if it was weak nerves or a dominant bully type behaviour. Unless the two go hand in hand. She does not strike me as a nervous dog generally however and I don't think I have ever seen fearful behaviour from her.

Without seeing the dog all we have is theory and speculation.

I would consider controlled exposure before any older otherwise you might end up with a PITA dog in public.

Akc training club would not be the best place for a dog that gets pushy with soft dogs...with mostly soft owners.

As long as your dog does her job on the trading field and you know her issues, work her accordingly. Prevent accidents and don't put anyone's dog at risk. All dogs have faults, knowing them is good.

What do you mean by controlled exposure? we already train, she's fine when working, ignores other dogs. When I walk her I manage it by not allowing her contact with random dogs, although I would do that anyway. I was just wondering whether it's normal for some GSD's to have a low tolerance threshold when it comes to other dogs, specifically soft ones.

I only suggested akc because they are everywhere and have hundreds of dogs of all shapes and sizes. It is the best free resource around.

But yes do not let your dog harass or harm them, work at as much distance so as not to approach the threshold.

Decrease the distance incrementally.

If you go to say an IPO club sure you will have better trainers around but also more dominant dogs that are pumped up to work.

The IPO trainers may be less patient on the field if your dog is acting like a punk.

In General :

A 4 month pup is not the same as it is at 12 months and as is at 20 months. They mature. And like people they can change in sorts but yet their baisc self stays the same.

There is always a learning/envorinmental [ variable ] affect as well as a genetic affect contributing to behavior of a dog. The question comes down to: what degree each variable plays as a contributing factor within the dog . Also context , meaning the exact specific circumstance or situation also is significant. Different people walking down the street is not the same in a dog's eyes. Perhaps ours but not the dog's. Meaning a person walking with a hat and sunglases may be different to the dog compared to a person wearing regular glasses with a headband. The circumstance are different. Now this is exaggerated but I use this to illustrate that somehow the dog may pick something different up about a person walking than we ever do. One difference ... always ... is that each person has a different scent and different ethnicities have diffferent 'base'scent' . Again , a dog is keen and can pick up more than we can . That is a simple sxample as to how a dog can percieve differences. Even the way someone holds themse;ve as they walk .. different walks can create unsureness and suspicion if the dog has not learned to generalize otherwise. Or has learned intentionally or unintentionally to Be suspicious in those differences .

From a genetic point of view , I have seen numerous so called alpha females and from their genetics they don't tolerate other dogs , as I have seen male gs that in a class do well but on the street in real life , wouldn't tolerate any other dog. Thee are dogs that genetically are insecure and that is the origin of aggression and there are other dogs that plum just are that way- innately aggressive to other dogs/animals. Being in a classroom is artificial. It is diffferent than real life just as a classroom to a child student is different than real life. So , my advice , freedom is a privledge earned when the dog /person is responsible and predictable in behavior in all situations. Keep your dog secure and don't become complacent. ou have to undestand from where this aggression originates and then go from there.... If you don't understand it .. then how in the world are you going to properly address it ?

As far as training advice... anyone with experience and that is profesional would not a word until they 1. they evaluated your dog 2. they understood the owner [you] and 3. they FULLY understand the situation after having seen the dog and you interact. So IMOp , going to a classroom is a help but these three things have to be done or you will not get the help you need with your dog. [ That is not an opinion or subjective comment ] . Last point: in strong genetic based behaviors of aggression , they become more a manageable situation for you controlling the dog , as opposed to changing the dog [ behaviorally].

I don't think having written this you will see to many people post specific remedies for you on this
thread. The dog needs professional help. Work with someone knowledgable is the best advice anyone can share with you .

There are dogs that just don't get along with other dogs. It's not the end of the world. A few good corrections with that type of behavior and you should be in a better place. But it will probably never go away completely and you just shouldn't allow her close enough to other dogs to do what she does. Some dogs never learn how to interact with other dogs so they resort to this sort of thing.

Thanks, I am not after remedies as clearly I cannot change her temperament. That is why I asked what other peoples GSD's are like around other dogs.