"a certain aloofness" - Page 1

So, I'm wondering if I could gather some thoughts that that particular statement that can be found in the AKC's description of character for the GSD. In particular, I'm wondering about how that statement might fit in with GSD puppies (not adult dogs) of any age range, but particularly any time between 2 and 8 months. 

I got my pup a few weeks after what is generally seen as the optimal time to bring a puppy home: 8 weeks. At approximately 11 weeks was when we brought my girl home. Well, I have a mild inkling that she didn't receive as much (read: some but the optimal amount) socialization as would be desirable. In working to socialize her throughout the time I've had her, I've noticed that she does NOT have "a certain aloofness" about other people or dogs. She won't always try to go up to someone she sees while we are walking and playing outside, but more often than not I know she would like to meet the person.

So, is this normal puppy hood, or what could be considered a fault in what makes an ideal GSD character and temperament? If it's normal puppyhood, then I really would like to know as this information will affect the routes we take in her training. So far, this has been the only 'red flag' that I might have about her temperament as a GSD. All of her other temperament qualities (confidence, fearlessness, etc.) appear to be present- although, we have not tried yet to see how she would do in a guard dog type of situation. Oh, how would one do that by the way? I'm not sure how to test the protective instinct and don't want to do it wrong.

Many thanks!!

aloofness can be confused with shyness, but are not the same. Have you taken her to see any experienced GSD people? Get a couple of opinions. This should also provide some socialization for the pup and some education for you.. The part of the standard which speaks about character states [ not quote] difficult to describe but unmistakable when present. Experts need to be entrenched in the total GSD to not make a mistake. have a great journey!

She's a puppy.

My female who I got at 12 weeks and who is now 6 years old, wanted to meet and greet everybody (tail wagging, body wiggling, all joy) up until she was about 3 years old. Then it was like a switch was flipped. I actually posted about it on the database when it happened, we were down at the beach on vacation and we were at a wine tasting festival. People were coming up asking if they could meet her (polite people) and I said yes, because she's always been a solid tempered dog but this time, she never acknowledged a single person who patted her. She didn't mind the pets but her attention was on the festival going on around her and she never really acknowledged the people who came up to talk to us/pet her beyond a cursory glance and then back to what she was doing.

My male who I got at 5 months and who is now 3 years old, wants to meet people and really wants to be a lap dog (75lb lap dog yeah right!) but his obedience training is such that he will not shift from basic at my left leg until I tell him it is okay to go up to someone. The other night we were at my son's baseball practice and I had my boy in a platz, so under command and a small toddler who would not have reached my male's shoulder had my male stood up, kept scampering around him. Now my male loves, LOVES children, he thinks the sun rises and sets on children but he never broke his platz, though he did get a good sniffing in when the little one stumbled against him at one point. When a group of kids did come over and politely asked if they could meet him, I put him in a sit (just because he is so big and even in a sit his head was taller than some of these little ones) and he never moved a muscle from that sit as little hands petted and little arms hugged him. He was in Nirvana surrounded by small people, that was his reward for having been a good boy you could see it in his eyes and his body.

So he is more of a people dog but he will not break his training to go up to people, that is my command and my command alone. My female who is very loving with her family but much more ... I'd say neutral when it comes to strangers but again, as puppies they were puppies!

I think one needs to be careful interpreting this phrase and using it to qualify desirable behavior with a puppy. I think puppies should be social and friendly for the most part. I think it is better as a description of the standard for an adult dog. I don't think it means anything more, really, than the GSD dog knows for sure whose dog he is, and won't be attaching himself to any old stranger, be they ever so kind.

I would like to hear what others think about this particular phrase, too.

Well, there was one Schutzhund trainer who came here to see her, but that was at 12 weeks of age for her. He felt that she had normal characteristics, but hadn't seen her around other people except for me and my husband. 

I know she's not shy- there are several puppies in our puppy class we attend that actually cower behind their owners when Shelby or another puppy bigger than them walks by, including a long-coated GSD in the class. Although, at least for that GSD pup, she might be cross-bred with something because she doesn't look quite right for a GSD. Shelby has never cowered from anything, and if I try to block her view of something that freaks her out, she will come around me to see whatever it is again and start barking at it (this happened when our friends daughter was jumping on a trampoline, which Shelby had never seen a 'flying' human before).

Does anyone know of a few people in the Suffolk, England corner of the globe that does such things?

Thanks guys!

We've been thinking about either doing SAR (which my husband did in the States) or having her go through the military/police dog training. Both require interactions with people, with both having different responses to people. Now, I do realize that the training is different and a dog that is under control shouldn't normally have a problem, but I'm personally leaning towards one or the other. Shelby has done well with agility, but I don't think that's enough of a job for her and is more of something fun to do instead of mentally challenging.

haha I hope she know whose dog she is :-) When I get home from work late at night, my husband and I go outside and have her do recalls around corners, across different surfaces, and at increasing lengths. It's interesting to see how she does, because she runs straight up to my husband, but only at very fast speed. With me, she runs at me as fast as she can, but then runs off to the side of me instead of coming in front of me. We keep her on the leash (just in case), but there aren't any distractions normally at that time of night. I'm not sure she'd be quite as attentive if other people were about.

Check your PMs.

I have 3 GSD's atm. I have a 9 year old boy that will lean on anyone to get a pat. A 6 year old girl that will climb into you're lap if you are sitting down (quite daunting for non GSD people) and a young male who is very aloof and doesn't give anyone outside of his family as much as anything more than a quick glance. All of these dogs are closely related but so different in temperament. I find it fascinating.  

Cheers Leanne