Sharp dog - Page 2

I can shit can dogs all day in my mind. I'm talking about picking pups or younge adults or watching other dogs work. If I had a choice, I woud not take the nervy dog, sorry thats just the way I am. If I want to be a breeder which I am not sure I do yet, still I need to be very criticle of what dogs I bring in. I'm done with rescue dogs. I'm looking for solid, level headed dogs that don't back down or take fear bites on people.

No need to apologise, we all have our opinions and experiences  here...this will likely be my last rescue effort as well-it takes so much time and energy, but I know she's worth it in this case.  I appreciate what you want in a pup, and yes you do need to be very critical or shall we say WISE in choosing-especially if it becomes your breeding stock!  Good luck 4pack...

T.

T

I would have to say your dog has issues with big men....not sharp.

Good point 4 pack.  I think age and maturity will play a role in it. ...its a matter of how long we want to wait. 

What do you think about the first couple of heat cycles........mabe all of the hormones flowing around have an impact also.

I was told we dont know what we have untill the dog is 18 months.

Yes Ravenwalker, I am thinking that more and more too.  She is also coming back into heat in about 3 weeks.  Still learning about this dog, and I agree that it takes time to know what you've got-especially if hormones are on board.  I wonder if this is why a lot of dogs are sold around two years of age or is this my imagination?

T.

Yes Ravenwalker, I am thinking that more and more too.  She is also coming back into heat in about 3 weeks.  Still learning about this dog, and I agree that it takes time to know what you've got-especially if hormones are on board.  I wonder if this is why a lot of dogs are sold around two years of age or is this my imagination?

T.

I have never watched a young bitch develope through bitework and puberty. LOL We have one getting ready for her first heat. I will have to watch her and see what changes take place, if any. I have heard others talk about heats and make excuses for bitches in season so maybe there is something to it. I just havn't seen it yet. I don't like to grasp straws or make excuses for dogs when they come up short.

Sometimes though I do try not to make a big deal of things, put them through it again and see what happens next time. You always want to see them take it better the second time not the same or worse. My dogs went through a weird stage at about 7 months. He stopped and stared at some plastic bags on a sting one day, slowly walked up and just stood there like he couldn't figure it out. Not scared, no hackles, no running away but just not "normal" his reaction. We walked the same path everyday and by day 3 he didn't even look curious at it again. Now we are at 12 months almost and nothing like that has happened again.

If he would have turned tail and ran away as good as he is, I would have sent him packing back to his breeder. Puppy or not, seeing a threat where there was non in a dog that age would have turned me completly off. 7 week old puppy I would let slide and keep watching closely for softness but I am looking for more than sport dogs too so...

Tirzah07 -  You might find this interesting.  I have a dog with almost the exact same temperament as your dog.  Her maternal grandsire is Tyson.  This is spooky.   When I saw your dog's pedigree, I gasped.  I got my dog at the age of 7 months from a breeder, so this was not a rescue.  The dog is now 14 months old, and no change whatsoever in her temperament.   Personally, I think the temperament was inherited.   I think I need to start doing more research now. . . .

That is interesting...I did contact her previous owner who assured me that her fearfullness is most likely due to a heavy handed or inexperienced trainer while a pup in Germany.  Over there, time is money, and she might have been pushed by an inexperienced guy who didn't know how to work with a soft dog.  She hasn't been with me very long yet either, so I am sure that is a big part of it.  With some time and some good stability I am hoping she will be better. 

It would be interesting to hear more from folks that have Tyson dogs though...anyone?

T.

4pack

just curious....have you had pups and had to return them because they were not cut out for the work?

That is what it sounds like from your posts.   Wouldnt it have been cheaper in the long run to buy a mature dog....one that you know what you are getting?

I read about people doing this all the time...just doesnt make sense to me.

There is a very fine line between sharpness and/or aggression and a nerve bag. Very easy to turn a sharp dog into a nerve bag with poor training.

Truely hard, sharp dogs are becomming harder to find. Not many people can handle them and they are not really good for most sports or to have around people socially. They are really only good for police dogs.