"Natural handler aggression" - Page 2

Very good posts DDR

Thanks DDR-DSH, great post.

Thanks, guys! Hey! Regarding the crazy dog that went back to Germany and got titled...Don't you think that there is something strange going on over in Germany that some of these dogs are getting titled, while having really unsuitable temperaments? C'mon! Who's kidding who? I got an imported German high-show SchH3 bitch that would just look at a man wearing a sleeve with that proverbial "deer in the headlights" look. I mean, "ZERO" response!!! No defense, no prey, NADA!!! She did not know ANY real obedience, would not pick up a ball or a dumbbell, or track!!! She produced garbage, too! I was a member of the SV for 25 years and I quit after that. It didn't mean anything to me anymore. The Germans fell into the same trap that the Americans did back in the 70's.. They commercialized the breed!

As for the BH, it is a step in the right direction, but a lot of people act as if it's a working title! That's as far as they ever go with a dog! And I suppose that there are ways to cover up unsuitable temperament, if you know how.. Like drugs, or compulsion. Some of the craziest dogs I knew acted like some sociopathic people: Quite normal until something set them off, or they would actually size up the handler and pick their opportunity, like a set-up, then engage them in a fight. If a judge really knew what they were looking for and wanted to do so, they could probe suspicious dogs a bit more. But I doubt this happens much in real life. I strongly suspect that there are client relationships between some judges and breeders or trainers, and that some dogs get a free pass. I guess I can say this now that I am no longer an SV member. It's purely speculative on my part, of course, but then I think that we have all heard rumors of scandalous dealings over there.

Wow DDR-DSH great response and excellent information. Particularly liked your insight in regard to the "challenge" posturing of a child.

Unfortuneately, children just have a tendency to do the wrong things around dogs. They also act like little chickens, running around and shrieking, which can really excite some dogs. Other dogs are just super with children. I had a dog like that, and it was incredible how he interacted with them. He never did anything reckless or inappropriate. I could tell you stories! I loved that dog!!! The dog just had uncanny good sense and tact in all sorts of situations. I was never reluctant to let anyone touch him or interact with him. And, he was a SchH3 GSD. But.. Both he and his father were recommended for improving temperament. That Körmeister really had him pegged. The dog was about as close to bulletproof temperament as you could get. He had a solid foundation for stability and correct temperament in his pedigree, whereas the psycho dogs I had previously mentioned were a long line of psychos which are virtually extinct now (good!).

LOL I Have one of those SCH3 deer in the headlights, bitches from Germany. Glad to hear the bad line is on the endagered list, soon to be extinct. Bulletproof is how we describe a great horse too. Or bombproof, nothing can set them off.

I have heard people bragging about getting bit - needing stitches and all - by their dogs. Doesn't make sense to me. In my opinion that's like a parent bragging that their teenager gave them a black eye. Something's wrong. Either the should-be subordinate is mentally deficient and incapable of understanding their proper place, or the authority figure has been inconsistent or royally screwed up along the way. These people throw around the term "natural handler aggression" - that's the only way I've heard it used.

"... They also act like little chickens, running around and shrieking, which can really excite some dogs...." And when the neighbor kids do that and the dogs bark it is us that are blamed for the dogs barking.... Our dogs don't react to the ducks, chickens, Guineas, ponies, mules, sheep, goats, turkey's. But aren't fond of neighbor kids running around shrieking.