What would you make of this? - Page 2

>>>>>Finally, how much risk am do you think I face with my not very big/dominant gf spending so much time with this huge, immature, and powerful pup?<<<

i wouldnt worry about that to much.....im 5'3 105 lbs...im the only one that really tends to my big boy...

i think its a good idea - better- that they spend time together...as long as he knows she is above him...

I am very touched by your kind, intelligent, and knowledgeable replies.  Thank you.

Bucko- sounds like you have yourself a nice pup with some pretty nice drives; despite the fact I can't help but get the impression you are frustrated with him. lol  The older dogs may seem to be tolerant of him and letting him get away with murder RIGHT now but stay tuned that will probably soon change.  My adult male seemed to let my pup who was also his son bully him around up until oh he was about 7 months old- then it all changed and he had to show him who was top dog.  The pup still wanted to challenge him so that is when I decided the only alternative to keep peace and blood shed was to put kennels up outside with isolation panels.  They get along for the most part it's just when the pup tries to over step his bounds that the older one loses his patience after a while.

I don't think the schutzhund training in your pup has much to do with the behavior you're describing.  Sounds pretty typical and normal to me from a higher drive pup. 

Good questions.

The main things  that you want to ensure with a SchH prospect puppy's interaction with other dogs is that he does not get dominated, though he can dominate them, and that he does not spend too much time with them and become "doggy" or to value time spent with other dogs over time spent with you. Playing with other dogs will not inhibit his bite for SchH becuase he is not biting in prey or defense the way he will be in SchH. In fact, playing with other dogs can actually help teach him manners (how hard of a bite is too hard). As for your GF, the fact that she is small is not bad, BUT she needs to understand canine behavior and what makes alpha alpha in order to spend time with him, and she needs to completely understand your objectives for training and what you will sacrifice (at least in the beginning) in way of manners in the house to achieve those goals. Many "corrections" can be given using body language, positioning, and simply ignoring certain behaviors (meaning when you behave like a butthead you get no affection or acknowledgement) without resorting to verbal, leash, scruff, or any other means of correction that can inhibit the dog or make him handler sensitive.

All dogs seem to have an everyday temperament and the temperament they exhibit when under extreme stress.  While the two might be the same, sometimes they can be different.

My mother's shepherd Rilka was extremely docile and wouldn't ever think of lashing out; even if she was in pain.  She came from SchH stock and could have easily excelled in it had we chosen that route for her.  She was a confident puppy and was never afraid of anything in her life and that's the way she was as an adult.  She never went through any "fear stage" as you hear happens to most puppies.  Rilka could have a major injury and the dog would never let you know she was in pain; it just wasn't her nature.

My male shepherd Beckett was equally docile, but if he was in a lot of pain or extremely fearful, he'd let you know.  If he hurt himself, he'd be the one to cry and one time when he didn't want to go into his crate I inadvertantly pinched him and he turned around and snapped at me.  This was the only time though.  When he was 10 and started having major health issues, he did snap at my brother.  As a puppy he did go through a fear stage and was more sensitive to things. 

If the puppy hasn't exhibited any aggression before, this was probably a one-time thing.  He just panicked and was probably still in pain when your gf tried to free his foot she basically was there to release the pain and fear on. 

I wouldn't really do anything about it except be sure to have your gf continue to interact with the puppy.  You don't want any dominance or reactivity issues to develop if he senses your gf is now afraid of him.  Just be aware now that your puppy is more sensitive than you might have thought and not as tolerant of pain and that future injuries might be reacted to in the same manner.

Mom of Beckett

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