Scared Shepherd? Great Bloodlines

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by Mystere on 21 July 2009 - 16:07

In addition to all the above, remember that ALL of them are prone to a "spooky" fear-stage at about 4 months. What you do and how you address it (or fail to) will decide how well the pup comes out of it. SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE, SOCIALIZE. But, don't force anything. If something spooks the pup, have patience and wait it out--let the pup go investigate and find out the "spooky thing" is really nothing. Encourage it.

by DebiSue on 21 July 2009 - 17:07

Take your pup to a good agility class. Learning to overcome the different obstacles really builds confidence. She'll get a chance to socialize under a controlled situation. Take it slow and be encouraging and patient. She should outgrow it.
Good luck!
Deb

by Sheesh on 21 July 2009 - 17:07

Also, just to clarify a little, "bullying" or "dominating" from the lab may very well seem like harmless rough play, but it is dog language to the pup, and could very well be telling your pup, "you will submit to other dogs" which is absolutely the wrong message for one you hope to be doing schutzhund, or personal protection. Theresa

by windwalker18 on 21 July 2009 - 18:07

what everyone said...

and go lots of odd places with her. If you can find a puppy play group, or 2-3 other people with non Alpha pups that she can play on an even field with it wll help her also.

by blkred on 21 July 2009 - 20:07

Thank You all for your input. She may just be a "soft" dog. Hopefully she can come out of it. I got her for a watch dog, as my lab is worthless when it comes to even barking. I will try some of these ideas and any other thoughts are appreciated as I will check back from time to time.

by Mystere on 21 July 2009 - 21:07

I had a gsd once that was worthless as a watchdog. She would not bark, no matter what. Good thing I had a Scottie who was an excellent little watchdog. The gsd was my last American-line gsd. She had ROMs all over her pretty pedigree, was the daughter of a Select male (Woodacre's Dakota) and had everything under the sun wrong with her: extremely dog aggressive, extremely shy of people, extremely sensitive to noise (had to be tranked for July 4th), had pancreatic insufficiency, seizures, was 20" at the shoulder at 4 months (HUGE, 27 1/2") as an adult, "bird of prey eyes," weak, weak, weak pasterns, Malabsorption Syndrome, and a chronic poop-eater. She did have great hips, though!

by mollyandjack on 21 July 2009 - 21:07

A dog that's a little nervy (or reactive, or sharp, however you want to call it) can actually be a very good watch dog. If she's more reactive, it means not only will she react more than the Lab, she'll be actively looking for anything unusual in her environment. A scary bark from a sharp dog will deter many.

by blkred on 21 July 2009 - 21:07

M&J- agreed. Hopefully she will get to that point. I wanted to get her titled. Minimum BH and CGC.

Mystere- I guess I should be happy with what I have. I feel confident with a few "tweeks" she will grow out of it.

by VomRuiz on 21 July 2009 - 22:07

Mystere, Your poor dog! Great hips...lol

by Penny on 21 July 2009 - 22:07

blkred

Good luck with your little pup, but I picked two points from your posts. Firstly, you were willing to go back to your breeder for another pup ! - this is a drastic move, do you really believe in this pup and want he or she, because if you are not 100% commited to helping the pup through an uneasy stage, then no point - the pup has to feel the best and important, and GSDs of any type will soon pick up on negativity. Your post should have been only asking how you could help the problems at this stage, not asking if you should take her back
The second point you make, and probably the most important for me is that you post.....

. I will try keeping my lab away from her, but not sure that's the issue....

I hope that you have now read enough good advice from knowledgeable people on this board now, to know that it IS the flippin issue.... how else does a pup learn but from example at a young age....

Dont mean to sound rude, but I hate to think that the pup is being played with a little too roughly from the point of view of mental development and also physical development, and the owner is thinking its a scared pup that might have to go back... to sad...

Believe in your pup - take all of the advice from the posts, as its briliant advice, and work hard and be commited with her - put her under no pressure, make the pup feel like she/he really can walk on water, and that you will approve, and then you can mould that confidence to suit your needs.

Good luck. Mo - Mascani.

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