Seeking GSD with special temperament qualities - Page 7

it's lacking ... heart,  human link to another living thing, maybe its just the way he expreses himself..so we judge based only on what we see and so far it's not pretty... after last post it makes me wonder who is the real mental basket case in this story...

we all have dogs with  issues and their personalities...but if we killed every dog that had issue there would have been no dogs...I think GSDsRock hit the nail on the head when she essensially said he is comparing this dog to another superdog and in the process is being disapointed...

Beetree, the Nala story was indeed one of PDB’s finest moments. Just when you’re about to give up on the human species, something like that comes along.

Now enough of the mushy stuff and on to practical matters.

Koach, the overwhelming injustice of killing Cassie would have been, in part, the fact that you have taught her to do some of the things you despise. You know this already, of course. Details in a minute.

Cassie brings to mind another case. Many years ago, I was out with my superdog GSD when two obviously very well bred six-month-old GSD pups came racing up to us. Expecting the all-too-frequent display of aggressive stupidity, I was pleasantly surprised when the pups behaved in a friendly, appropriately submissive manner with my GSD--ears down and tails slightly tucked but wagging happily. And then I heard a man bellow, “Cowards! Cowards!” He was the owner, and he came storming up, complaining bitterly about how he’d spent a mint on two puppies that had turned out to be cowards. I explained that their behavior was perfectly fine and they appeared to have excellent nerve. He shook his head, glared at the pups, and said “Cowards!” again in a tone of utter contempt. Both pups cringed and sank to the ground, prompting another outburst. I ran into the pups and their owner frequently after that and I tried repeatedly to convince him that he had two fine dogs. His response was always the same: “Cowards!” Not surprisingly, the poor pups grew up to be rather skittish. And they started out with good nerves.

Koach, Cassie has learned from you that those funny noises are bad things. She wasn’t too sure about them to begin with, and when you first saw her uneasiness, you must have cursed, if only inwardly. Poor nerve is never a good sign, especially when you have high hopes for a dog. I had the same reaction when my now one-year-old GSD began mindlessly and fearfully barking at my harmless neighbor at the age of three months. I knew what it could mean, and it wasn’t good. My heart sank and I said a few things that old ladies aren’t supposed to say. And then I sighed and thought, “OK, he is what he is and that’s what I’ll work with.” But I also got an adult, proven GSD to do the work I wanted a GSD to do, taking all of the pressure off my pup.

But Cassie--well, the disgust and contempt you feel for her when she shows poor nerve comes literally oozing out of your pores. Bad feelings make bad smells, which is why we can’t lie to dogs. And that confirmed what Cassie feared--those funny noises are really bad. They make her beloved and trusted pack leader turn ugly toward her. She has no way of understanding that it’s her fearful response that you object to. She doesn’t know how to turn off your contempt and disgust, which she believes the bad noises have caused. And so she growls and worries under your chair and cannot find peace.

I once had a Whippet who might have developed the same problem. She loved to chase squirrels, which I encouraged by shouting “Rats! Rats!” (sounded better than “Squirrels! Squirrels!” and it really got her revved up). She never caught them and it was great exercise. The first time she heard gunshots, she started to spook, and I shouted “Rats! Rats! Ratsratsratsratsrats!” and started running around like an idiot. She did too, looking for the squirrels. End of gunshyness. She reacted to gunshots by eagerly looking for squirrels to chase.

(Continued below.)

I don’t know whether you’ve done French ringsport with Cassie but if so, this is not known for encouraging a loving attitude toward strangers. This is not a complaint about French ringsport. I love it although I don’t do it. But it’s not a good bet for a dog who is already suspicious of strangers if the owner wants a dog with a more relaxed attitude.

You are experienced enough with dogs that you know all of this already. But it’s hard to control disappointment in a dog that just isn‘t a good match. Getting a very stable adult male GSD would be the best thing for both you and Cassie if you keep her instead of rehoming her. Puppies are such a crapshoot, no matter how good the breeding is. My experience has been that two dogs are in many ways less work than one because they exercise each other and keep each other amused.

But again--I’ll be happy to rehome Cassie, leaving you with $500 and the time to devote completely to a new dog or puppy, if you decide that’s what you want to do.

GSDsRock
 I have just became a better person. Thank you.
And since we are making quotes from a Bible  then please  Koach here  is another one and it is the truth if you believe in God or not. :
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Revised Standard Version has "not reluctantly or under compulsion."
 These words are so true. To give grudgingly is really an insult.
Sometimes I must remain myself of it too.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

            Koach,,,

                   I except that there is a time for culling / putting to sleep. However, I have  in my own experience come to the conclusion that the choice to put a dog down can be motivated my selfishness and pride. It is easier to blame the dog.... It can be hard to admit that someone else might accomplish what we ourselves can not.....for the dogs sake think about it......best regards....

                Deanna....: )

Great quote, Prager. And thanks again.

When I first started reading this thread I believed that a discussion on the handling of a ''working dog'' that doesn't turn out for that purpose would be discussed. I thought opinions on culling litters would also come up.
I read different opinions on what should be done with this particular dog. I must say that because of the age of this dog euthanasia may not be appropriate. If the breeder would have noticed certain major problems with the pup that would be another subject.
So far this thread has included opinions from people not only on the dog but also on the personal qualities of a person they don't know and have never seen. Scriptures were even used! (as if that has anything to do with the subject). Terms such as execution, and comparing Koach to nazies were a bit excessive!Then theories on ''smell oozing from the handler to affect the dogs behaviour'' where mentioned.
GSDs Rock I must say I found you amusing with some of your comments, but if you don't know anything about French Ring, you shouldn't give unfounded opinions. Should you have talked to anyone that actually practices French Ring you would know that the relationship between the training decoy and the dog is one of partners. This is how many of the excercises are taught to the dog. (Garde au ferme, etc). So to say that the sport of French Ring developes suspicion of strangersor even encourages it is ridiculous. I won't argue about scriptures as that is not my 'forte'' but you should stay away from dog sports you clearly know nothing about. You could unfortunately influence people in a negative way about my sport, and they would think you know what you are talking about.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think you are all very loving people. We have accepted Cassie as she is and we will give her a good home for the rest of her life.
This morning we played ball for 40 minutes out in the pouring rain. When she plays ball she is in heaven and a real dynamo. Believe me she does have problems but we will be patient.
Will post photo from her next spring canoe trip.
This is my last post on PDB as I find that posting and not seeing a face or hearing a voice leads to making mistakes about people you and well as I.
Cheers and happy times with what is as some of us have known as "the best breed of them all".
Koach

                Good luck,,,,and Enjoy your girl....

                                   Deanna...: )

Working GSDs, I am well acquainted with sports that involve bitework and guarding. The Schutzhund and French Ring trainers that I know would be very concerned about the effect of such training on a dog with Cassie's temperament (as it has been described here). They require very solid, stable temperaments in the dogs they train for such sports.

Koach, I wish you and Cassie all the best. My offer remains good for the rest of Cassie's life.