Fear period, or you tell me? - Page 2

yes, german, working, bloodlines, both parents are schutzhund titled.  Is ther literature out there I can read up on omega temperment?  Thanks for your feedback.

Do a google search on omega puppy or look for some articles that discuss pack instincts as they relate to pecking order within a litter. 

ok  - thank you

If it's temperament than you simply start by building confidence, and slowly introduce changes in environment. Temperament it's the nice term used to describe a dog with week nerves. So how you improve on it by slowly introducing new scenario that will bring the weakness out in a dog, that way you will slowly increase the dog tolerance to deal with his/her nerve issues.

I've been reading up on weak nerves and it appears to be a good topic for me to further investigate.  A little frustrating for me because weak nerve dogs are difficult and unpredictable.

That's not true ;) there are degrees of week nerves. ;) The examples that you are referring to talks about dogs with really week nerves. Some dogs just need more time and slower upbringing. There is more GSDs with week nerves than you would think a lot of the week nerves are covered with good training, and control upbringing. Remember is not the lack of fear that makes our courageous but the action we choose to take when the fear is present. ;)

I seen a dog on a show that was pissing all over himself out of fear and there was nothing to pose that kind of fear ;) that's week nerves, your dog just dose not feel comfortable so you need to take your time and introduce the stresfull situation in a controll way.

thanks for the feedback :) I took her for another walk by the intersection.  She was very flighty, no focus at all, appeared to be confused as to what was going on.  whatever degree of weak nerves it's very frustrating not to be able to take a casual walk.    

So called "fear period" usualy should be over from 12 weeks to 16 weeks (3 months to 4 months). Essentialy, by that time the FOUNDATION of dog's temperament is pretty much developed. It couldbe worked with, messed with, gotten better a bit, but the FOUNDATION isdone. My guess it is some kind of a temperamental issue or something happened to her during the real fear period. What and how it got there - I don't know.

Either way, identify the stimuli that makes her uncomfortable and then introduce it to her on your and her terms. then gradualy build up from that.

My current dog would get spooky and very suspicious of black plastic bags that peopleuse to put fallen leaves inand then tie them up in a knot onthe top.

On night walks, those bags just standing there with end of knots pointing out looked like GSDssittign with theirears pricked. In poor visibility the puppy at the time would go nuts over it and very suspicious. Then,we'll walkover it and he'll satisfy his curiosity. Once he figured it out for what it was it hasn't occured again.

Best of luck with your puppy.

Turk, nothing is lost yet, she is not even 6 months old. My girls dog aggression started at this age out of nowhere. First I thought she would grow out of it, but it became worse. After about one year of structured interactions with other dogs, you would not even know now. She too took her hackles up, but was in no way of weak temperament or nerves. In fact she turned out to be very clear headed and has that famous on/off switch in her protection work.

Your girl maybe a bit sensitive at the moment and therefor is easily overwhelmed by everything. Its hard to judge over a computer, but I almost get the feeling that your girl has a lot of fight drive in her, but is not able to handle it yet, driving her into insecurity. You might have to rethink your whole interactions with her. Dont get frustrated with her, she will pick up on that and will become confused which intensivies evrything. Stand back, remain calm, take little steps. Built trust between you and her! Encourage her calmly when you see her tensing up. Be like a big daddy to your little child, and start working together as a team. Try to avoid any corrections, if she gets all worked up, remove her from the situation, but be careful that you are very indifferent in your feelings. Wish you the best.