How well do you know your dog? - Page 2

with most of my dogs, it is that split second when the eyes change, and the ears stiffen. Whatever is going to happen, I have less than a second to figure it out, act, or reward. I do have one dog that always looks to me for direction before it engages in most things.

I found the best way for me to learn to read my dogs, and any other dog for that matter, is just observation. Watching them at play by themselves, with other dogs, or with people.

My female can be dog aggressive, after a few incidents I've learned how to read her better and she's learned how to communicate with me better.  For the most part she's aloof to other dogs, if they ignore her she'll ignore them, no problems what so ever.  BUT if a dog comes along and is in her face and jumpy and bouncy, not letting her alone....she has a short fuse.  She'll try avoiding at first, then if the dog persists she'll stare hard up at me and give me a look as if to say, "get this fuckin' dog out of my face or I WILL".  I don't let her run with other dogs normally but it's kinda un-avoidable at the dog pool.

I have begun to notice my 16 month old male acting different around my bottom of the pack male.  He'll run up to him, push up against him sideways with his tail high and body stiff.  I  believe he is trying to dominate him.  My older male will pretty much ignore him, but I quickly call the youngster away, or down him.  After a down, he'll go back and they play normally.   Hopefully I'm handling this the right way?

Becky

Can somebody please define the word aggression?

GSDfan--then if the dog persists she'll stare hard up at me and give me a look as if to say, "get this fuckin' dog out of my face or I WILL".---LOL--i know that look, you just describe the way my dog roscoe (my 10 year ol rat terrier) looks at me when boss (4month old GSD) tries to play with him..it's kinda funny..he just stands there all stiff and growling but looking straight at me begging me to get this goofy overgrown puppy away from him..

~~JULIE~~

myspace.com/i_love_jason_phelps

Boss Von Hogg Phelps pedigree information

Agar -- you bring up a fantastic point .. especially for people new to canines .... Sch has given to us a trenmendous insight into the GSD ! but as years have gone forard ethologistsand behaviorists have cast even more light onto out understanding and interavtions not just with the HSD but all earths living animals from dolphins to gorillas etc. So -- this is why i have taught my students not to use the word " drive" because it cannot acount for the following . GSDs have thoughts feeling, emotions tha tlead to motivations[ desires, needs , wants]. some of the behaviors are innate that is so say have a direct genetic base specific and non-specific to a breed. from gemnetic base the thoughts , emotions and motivations can also arise. for example some pups i have bred will retieve an object right to your hand .. others we can see at 10 weeks are highly possesive but with a very low retieve instinct and motivation . however tapping into the motivations you can have the dog learn that it is to it's advantage to retrieve,. So in order to "read " yuour dog .. try mnot to put behaviors into 'cook book ' and text book ' categories . I liken the dogs not people .. but they are similar  to people . dogs vcan deductive reason , they can have gear , the can feel pain . they hunger , long to reproduce .. So .... watch not just the posture , facial exoressions of your dog .. but as i have utilized in law enforcement ..watch " the changes" in your dog ... that is tyhe signal from one thought to another , from one motivation to another, from one feeling to another. if you see you dog calm , cool and relaxed and then there is a slight change.. even just a one paw step back .. your dog is telling you sometjhing .. i first think ? what is the dof thinkng and feeling and if you am watching as important .what caued the change ? this is how IMO best to "READ" the dog- good luck

Agressive  let see to have hostile behavior, assertive, bold,  intitiating.  To practice or habit of launching attacks, destructive behaviors or acts.

I have a male that I have to watch closely to tell he is about to go off. He does not bark, he gives a primal gutter growl, while already in the air. His stance can also be misleading, he can look very casual to an outsider. It  is in his eyes, they change, you see the serious, watchful dog not the calm fun loving side of him. I can also tell by his muscels, they blow up like a puffy fish and a few hairs on his rump ruffle up. He will take direction from me, but only if I catch him first. If my back is turned at that point he feels free to make his own opinion.

My 6 month old goes a lot of places with me and so far he hasn't shown me that he's threatened by anything. My two year, unfortunately, is not as stable and is threatened by more things. Especially other dogs. I have to head her off at the pass and get her attention befoe we arrive on it. She is getting better these last couple months but I still have to watch her. She stiffens, hackles up, and stiff. She's great in the house/at the park/ with strangers. Frankly, it is almost impossible to end her fixation at that point. I'm undecided if I should snap the prong and keep on my way or just keep on my way. I don't want her to associate the snap with the other dog but I hate having to drag he stiff body away. I feel like that old guy on that old series "Soap" that used to drag the dead doberman around.

Don- I'd say aggressive IMO would be a dog that reacts on impulse always looking for a fight that would not be considered a "threat".  For instance a dog that will growl at an invited guest in your home for no apparent reason would be IMO "aggressive".  A dog that when you're walking him sees people at a distance minding their own business and he lunges on the leash barking with teeth showing like he's wanting to break free to eat them, would be IMO aggressive.  A dog that tries to bite you in the ass if you walk past him wrong would be an "aggressive" dog. lol

I wouldn't necessarily say a dog that doesn't like kids or other animals would be "aggressive" just more than likely not environmentally prepared to have the patience for it.  I would think a dog that is nervy is not the same as a dog that is aggressive; but others may have a different spin on that.