Handler sensitive, what does it mean? - Page 1

Hello, i have come across about the difference between ddr and czech gsd and the interesting part is the difference between handler sensitivity issue. Here is what found: DDR: Stronger reactive aggression, more handler sensitivity. Czech: Stronger active aggression, usually "sharper", with less handler sensitivity. Both: "Thinking dogs" that are slow to mature. What is the meaning of handler sensitivity? Does it mean more sensitivity means not being able to handle corrections and not a hard dog? I have czech gsd.

Here's how it was explained to me many years ago:

A hard dog is a resilient dog, a dog who can handle all kinds of adversity from  helper to environmental, he is a dog who recovers quickly from things like handler corrections.  So saying a dog is handler sensitive is not necessarily saying he will fall apart with strong corrections, it can mean the dog reacts to softer corrections from the handler and therefore does not need strong corrections.   So when we say a handler sensitive dog we aren't necessarily saying a soft dog, but a handler sensitive dog can be a soft dog, and many times the two do go hand in hand, though again not always.

This is just a general description of the definition of the terms as they have been explained to me by some very great trainers and handlers over the years.  As far as differences between the Czech & DDR lines are concerned, I don't know, I stick with the Belgian and West German lines, because they produce the kind of dogs I like.

nice topic we need more advice..
i have a czech dog as well. and im notice that when corrected hard. he bounces back pretty quick
he doesnt avoid it at anymeans.

thats just my eyes. would be slow bounce back to someone more expereince, but for me its quick enough that i can still have fun with him

More sensitive dog is easier to handle for most people. They dont need hard corrections and they bounce back if somebody over corrects the dog.  Less sensitive dogs (or not very sensitive dogs), some of them thrive on compulsion and more you correct them, more drive you get out of them.. it is pretty ipmortant to learn how to handle these dogs, be fair and very clear as what is wanted or some pretty bad conflict can be created to a point of the dog turning on the handler. I have seen it a lot.

Handler aggressive dogs... another topic.

I cant stand handler soft dogs.. I tripped once and the dog was out for a month just becasue I tripped, acted scared of me.. screw that, no likey..

Excellent descriptions so far!!  I hate working with dogs who have no handler sensitivity.  And yes some Czech dogs can be a bad combination of too sharp, overly aggressive and more prone to handler aggression than other lines i have worked with.  THAT said some Czech lines are the polar opposite!  Excellent controllable aggression, and very handler sensitive.  Really it is the individual dog and how it has been reared.  Puppy raising has a HUGE influence on the dog.

GSDPack - What happened to that dog?

Nothing, I placad her in a home with older people. She cant handle me..I never hit her, never confronted her, I guess I was scary to her and me tripping over her was the last straw for that dog..LOL

She was never mine, I  took her in for rehoming but I wanted to make sure she is OK to be rehomed.
This dog has other issues, but her handler sensitivity was obvious from the beginning, the brother to this dog was the same, raised by different family.

gsdpack that case sounds extreme like to the point of the dog having a temperment fault ? ive fallen over a soft dog before they forgot about it quick these are just pet dogs.  Never heard of a dog acting like you describe that would be a serious issue.

I like a bit of handler sensativity a dog that will respond to voice etc.

arent a lot of females like this ? not every one of course but a good number?

lol@gsdpack...U like those problem child GSD's.

Yeah that dog had some issues with nerves as well.  But you know, it went to a home that had no issues with it and was a perfect fit.  Older people need a dog like that. 

yeah handler responsive is pretty much genetic.  A good trainer has to make sure that they dont screw up a dog like that since it is very easy.

Absolutelly she had other issues. 

She is pretty also, she had pedigree also, she was a combo of some whites, some Czech and some West German.. really crappy breeding. But who cares, the handler soft part was genetic, her sibling was the same, the fact she had weak nerves and was not socialized properly added to the problem.. overall pretty crappy dog, but the owners dont care, they are happy with her. She seems happy too, all she has to do is run around and bark if somebody aproaches the farm.. And she sure does that well..hehe