The decline of the German Shepherd character - Page 39

Susie, interesting the Wienerau dogs behind him

Lol, Blitzen... No comment, keep telling yourself that, especially about the part regarding LE

Joan, current training methods work best with dogs with soft temperaments. Dogs with harder temperaments like the GSD don't do well with them, as they are more likely to challenge the handler. They are also higher energy, and need to be corrected to control and channel that energy.

Biddable? Well, yes, but only when given proper guidance and clear boundaries. There are far too many trainers out there who think you will break a dogs spirit if you tell it 'no' or raise you voice to it!

I'm not talking whip and chains tough, but as Cesar so aptly phrases it: setting rules, boundaries and limitations.

I didn't say anything about LE, Templar. LE is not the same thing as walking the streets of a city with PP dog. When I used the term "police dog" it was because that's how most people refer to the breed - either as a German Shepherd or a police dog. Do you really think you are protected only because your GSD is workinglines? Do you honestly think the average person knows he is a workingline? I'm guessing my 85 lb female looks just as intimidating to the average person as does your workingline puppy.  Perception is reality.

Exactly. There's a lot of people who think my black GSD is a mixed breed, because they only know the GSD as a black and tan/black and red dog.

I can't begin to remember how many people used to run away from one of my Malamutes thinking it was a wolf. If I'd have been mugged, they'd have helped the mugger carry off my purse, but still people were terrified of them so I never worried about my safety when I had one with me when I lived in the city. I'd think a black GSD  would be a great deterent against street crime. Black dogs look very intimidatiing anyway and those prick ears - could be a mixed wolf of just about any killer breed of dog LOL. No one is going to ask the dog's pedigree.

"..WWII is said to be the greatest generation." ... That was Tom Brokaw. "Everyone today is a winner and lawyers and insurance companies rule the world."...what does that have to do with the general members of society's ability to train and handle the gsd?
You make a good point by your ability to train your first dog, though, and proves the point that the gsd is supposed to be biddable. I bet you sleep better having your gsd watching over your family.:-)

Blitzen did you not write- "a GSD police dog is a GSD police dog?" It's 2015- show me one picture or any department where you see an over angulated GSD/ red black/blavk and tan. Most are not using the breed anyway!  Out of 21 counties in my state there are approx. over 550 LE agencies!  

its not very hard to to observe the difference blitzen.  Nerve and shyness for one is clear to the human eye and I'm not going to cross my street just because it's a GSD.  

My original post was for Susie and how one in a suburban area can benefit from a WL.  Blitzen, my dog was tested and I was told he was civil. First step was finding a knowledgeable Breeder, telling them what you need, and them matching you up with a dog from a pedigree that has produced and they believe will produce those qualities 

"Joan, current training methods work best with dogs with soft temperaments."... Really? Tell that to all the top trainers of LEdogs and top sport dogs.
" Dogs with harder temperaments like the GSD don't do well with them, as they are more likely to challenge the handler." Bs, SS have you ever trained a proper gsd? You are talking about the dog "challenge the handler" using motivational training?
" They are also higher energy, and need to be corrected to control and channel that energy." ...so you think that dim, zero drive dogs are easier to train?

"Biddable? Well, yes, but only when given proper guidance and clear boundaries."...do you actually know what biddable is?
"There are far too many trainers out there who think you will break a dogs spirit if you tell it 'no' or raise you voice to it!"...yes, and there are far too many trainers out there who think a dog can only be trained by yank and crank.

Thank you Joan