Working Line Puppy Behavior: To encourage or not? - Page 3

true, but advising a newb to encourage that behaviour while on a leisurely walk is what I have the problem with.

 

a 6 mo dog is already old enough to do damage to someone, would you still be encouraging this behaviour at 6months, a year, will the owner still be taking the dogs for walks if this behaviour is reinforced, i doubt it.

 

 

 

 

No, I suggested they do obedience with the dog and get it under control. Obedience tends to have remarkably positive effect on a dog's behavior.

joanro, the main thing that I find concerning is the combination of the OP's inexperience with a dog of this stripe [presuming that the description of her behavior is exactly as it occurs, and nothing's been left out or glossed-over] with the close quarters of NYC...there's a lot less room for forgiveness there, and when I lived back East, I pulled far too many beautiful young working line GSDs out of the NY Center for Animal Care and Control shelter that quickly showed why they ended up being surrendered--the former owners clearly were not up to the task of training a smart, balanced and serious dog to be safe enough to walk through a daycare outing in Central Park while encouraging the protective abilities of them as well. Some were obviously too lenient with the dogs, while others far too heavy-handed...and all of them took very careful placing to get them into appropriate homes [or jobs]. The CACC is a high-volume shelter, and during their busiest times owner surrenders of anything not viewed as likely to be adopted that same day were often put down before the former owners had even left the building, unless an approved rescue group would commit to pulling the dog within 48 hours. 

The OP has good intentions, and hopefully gets with a good, reputable trainer who knows the breed as well as the frequently observed traits of the DDR-line dogs. To the OP, you said you want a PPD, so I hope you're committed to making the training of this young girl your second full-time job, and don't slough off doing the work yourself and decide to 'just send her away for training'. Otherwise, she'll wind up being just another lovely working-lines GSD in a kennel @ the CACC, waiting to see if the clock runs out on her luck or not.  I think if I were living in NYC, I'd go with a personal stun-gun for protection instead of making that my dog's job, but that's just me and my dislike of being sued.

I wish you luck in your journey with your pup. Don't let her down!

Gigante- the OP stated they live in NYC...you better believe they have need for a PPD....
I agree, the need for correct training is a must. I believe if they proceed correctly with the dog training, the behavior the pup is exhibiting now, is exactly what's. Needed for a personal protection dog.

IMO, if you want a dog for PP, you need to train the dog and have sufficient control for that dog to be able to accompany you anywhere, as the nature of a PP dog is that it will accompany you anywhere/everywhere.     This means you MUST ensure the dog becomes NEUTRAL to strangers, you don't need a social butterfly but the dog must not be reactive to non-threats.     You MUST have the control to make your dog safe and effective for any situation.      If you are inexperienced this means seeking the advice/training guidance from someone who can help you mold this dog into the type of dog that is safe and effective as a personal guardian, and not end up being another "liability on a leash".     Good luck, it will take a lot of committment from you to make sure your dog will turn out the way you wish her to, as her genetics have pre-determined her natural tendencies that you see so far.

PP is about TOTAL control of that animal at all times;  training is mandatory and the sooner the better and with a professional trainer suited to train for PP;  does anyone know a good trainer in NYC??  Know they are there, please refer ASAP.  This does not need to escalate any further with that type behavior and the poster not knowing how to handle the puppy's personality whatever that might be from week to week.  Otherwise the owner has an unsafe dog and if a mistake is made at this early age could deem her trouble for life.  Very Very serious, not to be delt with by someone other than a professional.  Good luck  Nan

 

This type problem should not be delt with on a forum as anyone that has any type experience knows that the dog needs to be seen and evaluated before any type training advice can be given, only speculation can be given at this point which is not what this puppy needs.  She needs real life hands on training with an experienced obedience trainer.  This cannot be accomplished on this forum.

 

Where is the so called breeder of this dog;  if they are breeding this type of temperament(s) then they need to offer professional names and numbers where this type of training is available to newbee's.  I put this back in the trainers lap.  Nan

I agree 100% nans, this pup seems to be a prime candidate to either fulfill the OP's desire for a PP dog, or become a 100% liability down the road.
The breeder def should be giving advice to this person on this pup. At this age, this dog is looking for guidance and direction from it's owner and it is imperative that the owner guide this dog in the right direction now.
I hope you get yourself with a good trainer/advisor.
You do not need to commit yourself to some person who offers training at outragious costs to yourself either.
You do however need to commit to this dogs training. You can have loads of fun molding this dog to fill your needs, and have a wonderful companion at the end.
The more you put into your pup, the more you get back.

Perhaps we ought not presume that the breeder has any more experience in training a PPD than the OP has...or that they are able to refer the OP to a suitable trainer in the NYC area, either.

There are a number of trainers in the NYC/Northern NJ area that offer such training, but as I've never had any involvement with dogs being trained for PP, I'm in no position to make any recommendations. All I can offer the OP is the suggestion that with any trainer, he or she insist on attending a few sessions of that person doing training with other clients and their dogs, so they get to see how the trainer not only handles the dogs, but also to observe how well the trainer communicates with the owners of the dogs--there are thousands of people who are fantastic DOG trainers, but without the ability to teach the dog owners as well, that's all they are--DOG trainers.

Good all-round advice, no matter what discipline the Trainer is in / for.  I would

always suggest owners go and take a look at the work and atmosphere in even

a basic pet Obediance club.

what ever the breeder knows or does not know is important. What I can see by the pedigree is they know enough to place a few ''buzz'' words in it to baffle the newbee.  what the OP states about buying a dog which is not from the high drive sport dogs the breeder knows enough to twist the under-educated- puppy- buyer towards a sale. they know enough to be dangerous.   OP take your time to investigate a few trainers in youyr area.