Working Line Puppy Behavior: To encourage or not? - Page 1

Hi

Can the knowledgeable persons on this forum provide some advice on this issue I am having with a working line puppy? I live in NYC and have been interested for a while in having a working line GSD  puppy that would be a good prospect for a personal protection dog. Because the dog  would live in the house with us  we did not want a puppy that would have too much prey drive. I was advised by several persons to stay away from the sporty WGWL because they tended to be high in prey drive. We eventually purchased a beautiful 100% DDR pup. At 14 weeks old she stands about 15 inches tall and weighs about 35-38 pounds. The breeder informed us that she would be suspicious at a young age , and I thought this would not be a bad thing. I take her for works in a forest park and ( just as the breeder said ) she  has proven herself to be very suspicious of strangers . When any strangers approach her shackles would raise and she would bark in a deep voice. At  first I thought tht this was because she was probably afraid and she was acting nervously. But I now notice that she is doing this even when off leash. She does not run away or behind me, but instead she runs forward to the stranger and keeps barking. My own reasoning is that if she was fearful , being off leash she has  the freedom to run away in avoidance. CAN anyone tell me why the puppy is probably doing this? Is it something I should encourage ?( I want to train her in PPD ). She lives in our home and is very bonded to my wife and daughter. She is line bred 2-3 on a  known DDR working dog Uncas Vom Poppitz

sounds like a problem if the puppy is feeling threatened and a need to protect itself for no good reason, hard to say by written description, do you have a video?

you should not be encouraging this behaviour - find a reputable sport club and join it is my best advice.

I would encourage it, but I have no use for a social butterfly. But that being said get some help. Video could help to see what it is. Do not have your puppy off lead when out of your yard or house. If you want to do PP, train for PP if you want to do sport join a sport club.

 

Paul

Get involved with a trainer who understands and has produced what you are seeking. Important information. You bought this pup at the end of her socialization  period. if breeder did not socialize her, you must try to make up for loss of a very critical age. this dog is around your children and their friends. This pup will continue the behaviors which it ''thinks'' work. Example given, barking at strangers. The dog has a problem with new situations and by barking at people, they will stay away. Find someone who can get past the ''hype'' of DDR and ""high prey'' Working lines. I am not certain in your case but it could be just a sales gimmick used on the novice GSD buyer. 

If you want a PP og then you should encourage this as long as the pup is on leash where it can not over run it's abilities.

Fin a reputable trainer. There are so many scammers in the dog training world so find one with references and then call the references.

 

 

Mike 

I agree with Paul. If personal protection is what you want, joining a sport club is counterproductive....they think all dogs should eat hot dogs out of a stranger's hand. I see no problem with you pup's behavior, especially since you described her as going forward to confront the perceived threat when off leash. I would suggest doing obedience with her, have control.

Keep her on a leash always when out of your fenced yard. Sounds like you have a pup with potential to fulfill your needs. Can you post her pedigree?

Thanks for the advice so far. If she was in complete fear and being off leash ,would she not  retreat if and avoid the situation? Instead she moves towards the stranger with hackles up and furious barking.  Is this really a bad thing or reasonable for a doh who would be a possible ppd prospect

Start conditioning- training- socialaztion NOW. Think about her future. Children do not understand a dangerous dog. What might this dog need to do besides protect? If she continues to behave aggressively off leash sooner or later she will meet a person who will not ignore the threat and send her running off frighten. Agression is like a drug to the immature mind. Adiction to this ''drug'' will warp the dog.    Condition her to be neutral to strangers acting normal. There are a few top notched trainers in NY city. find them. Try Beth bradley in Northern NY. She walks the walk. 

 "If she was in complete fear and being off leash ,would she not  retreat if and avoid the situation? Instead she moves towards the stranger with hackles up and furious barking."

The answer to the above question is no. She could exibit all of those behaviors and be an acting out of fear/insecurity. My male has never run from anyone on or off leash. He is very intimidating looking  and if I didn't know he was a big weenie at heart, lol I would think he was the next Rin Tin Tin! Some dogs motto is get them ( everyone ) before they get me! Not a good trait IMO! It's a terrible liability. Know your dog and be diligent to maintain her behavior for "her" safety. Go to a club and let a skillful eye access her. It never hurts to get opinions, but be careful with that,,,,

btw, my male behaved just as you describe in your original post at the same age.