This is a placeholder text
Group text
by Koach on 18 November 2013 - 11:11
Is social aggression without discernment in the GSD fear based or an anti-social trait?
Thanks,
Thanks,
by Jenni78 on 18 November 2013 - 12:11
I'd probably have to see the dog to feel right opining on that question. When you say "without discernment" I wonder...because a dog would have to have SOME discernment...ie, there has to be something or someone that the dog is not aggressive toward.
Or am I misunderstanding?
Or am I misunderstanding?
by Sunsilver on 18 November 2013 - 12:11
Interesting question! I would think it's fear-based. Most dogs that just don't want to be bothered with strangers give some sort of warning before snapping. A true fear-biter just lashes out with very little warning. Okay, the signs are there (lowered head, ears back, shrinking away) but are not as easy to read.
Interested to hear what others have to say. Most of my experience has been with fearful dogs, not confident dogs.
Are you asking about a specific dogs, or dogs in general?
I believe the tendency to be fearful is mainly genetic, and comes from the dog's wolf ancestry. Wolf pups become fearful of strainge objects/situations around 7 weeks, while most dog pups remain curious and unafraid.
Interested to hear what others have to say. Most of my experience has been with fearful dogs, not confident dogs.
Are you asking about a specific dogs, or dogs in general?
I believe the tendency to be fearful is mainly genetic, and comes from the dog's wolf ancestry. Wolf pups become fearful of strainge objects/situations around 7 weeks, while most dog pups remain curious and unafraid.
by laura271 on 18 November 2013 - 12:11
As Jenni78 said, it really depends on the dog. I've noticed on some of the Facebook GSD groups, I frequently read statements that all unsocial dogs are nervy or fear biters and all social dogs are "stable and have exceptional temperaments" but I think it's more complicated than that.
by Hired Dog on 18 November 2013 - 12:11
There can be no behavior without discerment..now if the dog chooses to display that or not, its another story. The dog, in its head, chose to simply engage a so called threat, or ignore it.
Social aggression, any form of aggression includes body language that needs to be seen to interpret. My Fila had tons of social aggression that could be confused by some people who could not read body language.
Social aggression, any form of aggression includes body language that needs to be seen to interpret. My Fila had tons of social aggression that could be confused by some people who could not read body language.
by Hundmutter on 18 November 2013 - 12:11
I don't really like the definition "anti - social trait"; too
anthropomorphic, it suggests the dog has a particular
'thought-out' agenda, to be deliberately nasty to people.
As Jenni said, surely the dog has some 'discernment',
someone it trusts, respects and likes, ie its handler, or
whoever feeds it, perhaps ?
anthropomorphic, it suggests the dog has a particular
'thought-out' agenda, to be deliberately nasty to people.
As Jenni said, surely the dog has some 'discernment',
someone it trusts, respects and likes, ie its handler, or
whoever feeds it, perhaps ?
by Slamdunc on 18 November 2013 - 13:11
Hired Dog,
I do agree.
Laura,
I frequently read statements that all unsocial dogs are nervy or fear biters and all social dogs are "stable and have exceptional temperaments" but I think it's more complicated than that.
I would also agree with you, it is more complicated than that. I can tell you that not every "unsocial dog" is nervy or a fear biter, and not all social dogs have exceptional temperaments. There are some GSD's that are more reactive and quicker to aggression than the typical door mat, couch potatoe GSd that most people are used too. There are some strong, stable dogs, with impeccable temperament that will not tolerate being stared down or eye f*&*ked by a stranger. These dogs will also not tolerate strangers touching, hugging or petting them. It is part of the dog's temperament and the dog may react aggressively to a perceived challenge and not a perceived threat as some would think. Sometimes strong dogs do not view people as a threat but will instantly rise to the occasion of a challenge. These same dogs are great with their handlers, family and social with those it knows well. There is always a sign before aggression or anything else a dog does.
Fear based aggression is completely different. If the dog shows aggression randomly with out any provocation then there is an obvious issue. Just as a dog showing insecurity and fear based aggression has issues, they are pretty easy to spot.
I do agree.
Laura,
I frequently read statements that all unsocial dogs are nervy or fear biters and all social dogs are "stable and have exceptional temperaments" but I think it's more complicated than that.
I would also agree with you, it is more complicated than that. I can tell you that not every "unsocial dog" is nervy or a fear biter, and not all social dogs have exceptional temperaments. There are some GSD's that are more reactive and quicker to aggression than the typical door mat, couch potatoe GSd that most people are used too. There are some strong, stable dogs, with impeccable temperament that will not tolerate being stared down or eye f*&*ked by a stranger. These dogs will also not tolerate strangers touching, hugging or petting them. It is part of the dog's temperament and the dog may react aggressively to a perceived challenge and not a perceived threat as some would think. Sometimes strong dogs do not view people as a threat but will instantly rise to the occasion of a challenge. These same dogs are great with their handlers, family and social with those it knows well. There is always a sign before aggression or anything else a dog does.
Fear based aggression is completely different. If the dog shows aggression randomly with out any provocation then there is an obvious issue. Just as a dog showing insecurity and fear based aggression has issues, they are pretty easy to spot.
by Jenni78 on 18 November 2013 - 14:11
Yeah, HD. Precisely. Every dog discerns...whether they make wise choices in our opinions or not is another matter. No such thing as a dog with *no* discernment.
by susie on 18 November 2013 - 15:11
Slam, you just described my current male ... 
" There are some strong, stable dogs, with impeccable temperament that will not tolerate being stared down or eye f*&*ked by a stranger. These dogs will also not tolerate strangers touching, hugging or petting them. It is part of the dog's temperament and the dog may react aggressively to a perceived challenge and not a perceived threat as some would think. Sometimes strong dogs do not view people as a threat but will instantly rise to the occasion of a challenge. These same dogs are great with their handlers, family and social with those it knows well. There is always a sign before aggression or anything else a dog does . "
Not everybody´s cup of tea, though... I love these dogs!!!
" There are some strong, stable dogs, with impeccable temperament that will not tolerate being stared down or eye f*&*ked by a stranger. These dogs will also not tolerate strangers touching, hugging or petting them. It is part of the dog's temperament and the dog may react aggressively to a perceived challenge and not a perceived threat as some would think. Sometimes strong dogs do not view people as a threat but will instantly rise to the occasion of a challenge. These same dogs are great with their handlers, family and social with those it knows well. There is always a sign before aggression or anything else a dog does . "
Not everybody´s cup of tea, though... I love these dogs!!!
by susie on 18 November 2013 - 15:11
" These same dogs are great with their handlers, family and social with those it knows well. "
That´s somewhat difficult - if this kind of dog doesn´t meet well known people for a while ( about 2 weeks...) they need some time to " find back " their place in the structure...
That´s somewhat difficult - if this kind of dog doesn´t meet well known people for a while ( about 2 weeks...) they need some time to " find back " their place in the structure...
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top
