Clear Headed-ness - Page 2

Laura-  Genetics plays the majority of the part but a dog can also be ruined if it is not environementally imprinted very early on.  So I'd have to say that both play a significant part but the genetics IMO will always over ride the rest in the end. 

It is also very possible to take a dog that has the genetic make up to be clear in the head but because it's owner did not properly socialize the dog you may notice some nerve issues being portrayed.

My male has nerves of steel and an on/off switch.  He's the dog that will be the gentle giant with the kids, let's the baby climb all over him and he'll lay there with the most patient expression but the minute the situation changes he kicks into a different gear and it's strickly business.  He's the type of dog that evaluates the whole situation.  It's like you watch him and you can tell by the look in his eyes he's really thinking things through, what his next move is gonna have to be, what YOUR next move might be and he remains ready to react accordingly.  Not all dogs have the ability to remain in control of the situation.  A dog that may portray an unclear head will likely take a bite and ask questions later without leaving the bite as the last resort. 

I think a good trainer can tell as a dog begins to mature and progress in his training if it will have the on/off switch.  But in a puppy so young IMO there's a lot of guess work and you just don't know what you'll really have in the end.  The genetics at that point is what you have to rely on when making your selection and seeing the parents.

F

Agar, what is the breeding on your dog.  It sounds like he has ideal GSD temperament.  Did the whole litter he came from have this too? Is your dog a dominant or alpha male?  In my view this is what GSD temperament should be like whether working line or showline.  A  GSD should have the ability to think and process stimuli before he forms an appropriate response.  Sounds like you've got the perfect in home family GSD.

Clear Headedness

I believe clear headedness is  related to perception, nerves and thresholds.

A clear headed dog is a dog who doesn't panic easily.

The reason he doesn't panic is because he is in very good contact with reality and has the ability to control his reactions even during periods of high stress.   A clear headed dog can STOP reacting- when the appropriate need arises or ESCALATE his reactions - based on the reality of the needs at hand.

A dog that bites it's own owner during a skirmish or when in pursuit of something is a good example of a dog that is NOT clear headed. A clear headed dog is one, that even under extreme stress will understand who or what IS and who or what IS NOT a threat.

 Think of a dog who goes into a frenzy when a stranger passes a vehicle that the dog is confined in. This dog is a classic example of a dog that is NOT CLEAR HEADED. The reaction should fit the stimulus and SHOULD BE HIGHLY APPROPRIATE.

A dog that has thresholds too low can't be clear headed because it is OVER reacting to stimulus that should have been tolerated as non-arousing.

Sometimes a dog who is not clear-headed has nerve issues which can result in spinning.  There was an interesting thread about it back in December:

 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/152390.html#152540

Trafalgar made some nice points, and I see thresholds playing an important role here, where DDRshep mentions, "when it is not under stress and yet fall to pieces when you put it in a stressful situation or gets overloaded in drive."  And this threshold is perhaps the turning point where "sharpness" is defined, or in opposition to "clear headedness"?

GSDfan has a dog Andy that is one of the most clearheaded dogs you can get. Molly's dog Eagle is also very clearheaded. The great thing about clear headed dogs is you can go anywhere and do most anything with them trainingwise.

Thanks Gustav:-)

I just wanted to post this short clip here to show what IMO is a very good example of clear headed-ness. 

 Also I believe with any dog even the most clear headed, there are times duing the "learning process" where a dog is "cloudy".  Yes training (amount and type) can always have an impact on their clear headed-ness, but those who are genetically clear headed will learn and pick up things at a much faster rate...those who are not, somtimes no matter how much training they have will never be.

When I got my dog at 5 years old he wouldn't have thought twice about knocking my daughter over to get the ball.  After a little verbal "guidance" he quickly learned that playing with my daughter was different than playing in drive with me.

Glad to see the mention that adding or having STRESS factors in the pictures is when personality traits are often revealing. As far as puppy potential. I do believe there are certain things that we desire to see present when selecting for various duties. Some things are innate, others developed and combinations..but I do believe it ups the odds if you are starting with things that will be helpful to what the trainer/handler has in mind.

Enjoyed reading this thread very much.

Debi

great vids