Handler Agression - Page 2

Yeah, it's pretty sad when someone takes a tough dog that needs a job and actually gives it one, right?

At least this guy is is telling people his dogs are hard. I've seen plenty of GSDs from well known, "reputable" breeder's who are trying to eat the family and they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.  People who went to a breeder and asked for a pet.  You're all passing judgement on this breeder, how do you know how he screens his buyers? Did you call him and ask him for a sweet cuddly puppy for your 3 little kids and he offered to sell you one? What a judgemental lot you are.

edit: great post wanderer

Personally I would rather have a dog that is harder then one that is soft. That is me thou. I am a alpha female my self and soft dogs donot do as good as a hard dog does for me. I like a working shepherd not a robot. I want one that can stand his/her ground,  think for it's self and not need me to hold it's paw.

Also love the pedigree of the puppies!!!! very nice in my book. If I did not just get my female I would be looking in to a pup.

EK

 Wanderer said:

"With very stong, self-confident dogs that have the ability to focus intensely and the courage to overcome adversity to get what they want, in other words, ideal prospects for working, one has to establish very early on, and keep establishing throughout the training that you the handler are the pack leader.  One has to maintain this relationship in fair ways, but it must be maintained.  If one such a type of dog falls into the hands of an overly macho type that thinks browbeating the dog will gain respect, or, on the other hand, if a beginner that does not have expert guidance in a good working club tries to deal with such a dog on their own, you could end up with handler aggression in a dog that, had it been handled in a fair, consistent, firm and knowledgeable manner might have been a top competitor and excellent partner in all respects.  It comes down to the handler in these cases.  That is why ethical breeders of working dogs ruthlessly screen their puppy buyers, and well they should."

True, but the fact is that there are some folks, mostly (all?) guys, who actually  WANT handler-aggressive dogs.  They equate that with being a tough, hard dog.   Personally, I do not want a dog that is going to eat me!!  I have already dealt with a bitch that , while she loved me to death, had very strong pack drive, and could take a licking and keep on ticking, we had rank issues.   She though she was alpha bitch and I kinda thought that, as I paid all the bills, alpha was my position.  After sending me to the emergency  room three times, and giving me scars that put every helper's to shame, we still had not worked it out.  The problem began when she was a puppy and the things she did that I thought were "cute" and "funny"  and "full of personality" were actually dominance issues that I was too newbie to recognize.  So, we did not get it established "very early on" who was what and the stage was set.   I must say, though, that I truly believe that gender is an issue, too.  My male is stronger, harder, tougher, etc. and we have NEVER had rank issues.  I truly believe, as Armin Winkler told me at the outset,  there are no rank issues between a male dog and a female handler---he could care less that I am the alpha bitch, 'cuz,...he don't wanna be alpha-bitch.  LOL

I will add though (and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the litter mentioned in the beginning of this thread), that there are dogs which are just plain viscious and were born that way.  These are definitely culls and should never ever find a place in a pet home or even a working environment.  These are not strong dogs by any definition, but are very weak in character.  Knowledgeable, working environment trainers and clubs would instantly recognize a dog like that and never condone nor permit protection training with such an animal.

I posted that ad and I havn't seen any of you at the nationals except as a spectator's if you stayed off the computer and actually trained your dogs you mite learn something.

See you in Austin

Gerald

Hi Gerald,  I don't know you or your dogs.  All my spare time is spent training my dog.  I meant no slight to you or your dogs and hope you did not interpret my comments in that way.  I merely stated my opinion on training and canine character. Too many are too quick to condemn.

All the best to you and your dogs.  Maybe we will meet in Kentucky at WUSV. 

Gee Gerald, that  was nice!!  I don't recall ever seeing you on the field at a national event, either.   Maybe I am just mistaken?   I am sure you will enlighten me, if I am. 

I did not look at the ad, until  after  I read your  sweet post.   Looking forward to seeing you in Austin.

Although I can see people who like the dogs that have a bit of "backbone", and will let you know when you're doing something they don't like, I don't think people should breed dogs that have handler aggression. To me, this is an unnecessary attribute. My male, although as many of you pointed out, male dogs usually don't act aggressively towards a female handler, has no handler aggression whatsoever, and he is still an intense dog, who would protect me in a threatening situation. I think a breeder should be able to breed a dog willing to please the handler, not take him out, while still maintaining an equal balance of prey and defense drive. But what am I talking about. That has to be the perfect dog. Lol.

-Emily.

ha-- real nice guy-- this gerald whoever.

friend of mine was looking for a litter

 found a litter almost identical to his and questioned him about the price.

from what i understand  he jumped all over her and said if she's get off the computer and train dogs maybe she would male it to the nationals like him and his wife.

 "BIG EGO" so of course he is going to have HANDLER AGGRESSIVE dogs and BOOST about it.

JMO

sorry Gerald you should be nicer to people

I am editing completely...  I decided it is better to be still.