opinions - Page 1

Ok. Opinions.

Went and looked at a puppy. Around 5months old. No, I dont have the pedigree to share with you, but I do know he is ddr/czech father, (police dog) and who knows what mother (um, retired police person bred their police K9 to their friends bitch..she LOOKS to be a working line/american line GSD..no pedigree available) Mom is med-low drive, but confident and alerts to strange things, stable is with kids and a family now. Father..Working police K9. Stable, nice strong male. Have not seen him work in the field.

Ok, so I did a temperment test. Puppy is solid, big boned straight backed like his father (thank god), more east germanish than not. Blanket back and dark tanish red...(I will have to get some pics) Confident, but typical bit of what is that? 'tude. Will not hesitate to go up to a metal bucket thrown while playing, distracted and check out what the hell made that noise, not afraid of me swinging a tug around, not afraid when I "act" like I am going to swing it at his face, I "smack" him in the side, rump, face and he could care less. Doesnt even blink. BUT! Pup has no training, no socializing work (but is not anti-social) and no encouragement. In fact, I think he has been told NOT to bite, tug, or bark. He has a BIG DEEP bark when he barks :) BUT he is pretty quiet. The place where he is now, does not want him whining (which he does), and has corrected (or over corrected him) to stop it as his neighbors dont want a noisy place. The pup is housed with an "alpha bitch who doesnt really have the nerve to back it up bitch" who whines and carries on. (i.e Monkey see, Monkey Do) Alpha Bitch "puts him in his place" but I think pup will have potential to out grow that. Pup is not fixed. Pup has med to low ball/tug drive, but again, his drive has been squashed by the rescue he is at now. They dont want to "encourage" biting and barking if he isnt going to go to a "working" home. So...here is my question. Confident dog, who is a bit head shy now due to past owner and current rescue "correcting" him (grrrr) when engaging on a jute tug, or rope, WHINES!!!!!! He isnt nervy, or not confident..but hell, this dog whines, and makes a bunch of racket when pulling on what ever he has in his mouth. Dog "snaps" when trying to grab what ever you are swinging around (teeth snaps together) but the rescue says he has stopped him from pulling, or grabbing, or the sort, so I dont know if the dog is unsure that it is ok?? I am interested in the pup just cuz I fell for his fuzz butt, but want to do PP (level 1) or club level PSA (if he grows into the drives a year from now)  until I save up my pennies for an adult male DDR of my dreams. This is a pup that I can see maturing into a lovely family protector (NOT a "man stopper" by any means) but a vocal, and visual deterant with some fun on the side with Me, my husband and kids. Pup (has no name, but I have taken to calling him Hoss, because he is going to be a large male) With a confident pup, what on earth do you think the whining is all about? You know as much as I know about this pup.

Annnnnnnnd! GO!

If you don't like whining, stay away from the german dogs.  The pup sounds like a nice pup.  One would have to take him home and watch him mature and BOND with him before a true assessment of him could be made.

I mean no offense, but it seems you already have doubts.  He doesn't seem to really be what you want.  The pup would feel your apprehension regarding him, and it might hinder his development.  Probably be best if you save for your dream dog.  Good Luck on finding one that doesn't whine.

First off. I have no doubts. Is there any where in there that said I had doubts?

My husband and I came home to discuss when to bring him home. He is a really nice pup. I think he will mature nicely, and getting him OUT of that environment will be perfect. I told the guy that I cant make ANY TRUE assesment on what that dog will turn out to be, let alone ANY pup. Not that I mind. If he turns out to not have any pp or sport poential, then he lives here as a family dog, away from the people who think it would be "cool" to own the spawn of a "police dog". Never said I didnt like the whining, and I know I that I will make this dog what he could be, and not squash what everyone else already has done so far. I WANT a dog that is noisy and loud. I just asked what YOU think a dog that is whiny is doing while pulling.

So if you cant answer the question, then I dont know what to say.

5 months old?

Whiny when pulling?

I'd be inclined to think he's teething and the whining could be in response to discomfort when asked to do a 'tug' game on baby teeth that are getting ready to come out.

Nobody can answer that question, without knowing the dog.  Dogs whine for different reasons.  Some dogs whine to give up, or due to fear or pain.  Some dogs whine from the sheer joy and even need to engage a target or enemy.  Some dogs engage or fight in silence. Others whine while deep in hold, and driving for more.  I have posted about my Razor, whinning as he was engaged deep in the armpit of the lifeless corpse of a big boar badger.  He was still whining as I broke him off with a Parting Stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsYyg1ffOY

I guessed the teething as well. I may not be correct, but that is what my husband said too.  I am glad that someone could give me an answer to the question. He tugs on his own. No formal "tug" game was offered. I let him, be him, to see what he wanted to do, what interested him, and what didnt. What distracted him and what didnt. He is a secure pup. Very nice. Im excited, just because he is an all around good dog. I would love to see who he matures into, and I think this boy will keep me guessing :)

I want to encourage the boy, not discourage him. He will need some better handeling when it comes to his head, and neck shyness from being over corrected by everyone else, but I dont care. That can be fixed, and he can get over that with correct training and encouragement to bark, and make noise here :)

Abhay-

Thank you for for giving me an answer. I really have no doubt this boy can truly shine away from there, and in a place allowed to bark, whine, and carry on like a dog should (of course he has to learn the quiet command :) ) I would like to give an update when he is out of there and bonded and MATURED. I expect him to go through many changes as he matures.

I am going to go watch your video now. Again, Thank you for the reply!

edit- I watched vdeo, and I laughed at the guy saying "thats daddy's girl, good girl" in the backround. But he is like her, only I can pull him to me, pet his face and encourage him. Its not at the end of a line.

I agree with Abhay, much of the dog's development will depend on the bonding with you and the family.  If you keep him in the house 24/7, odds are good that he will become a potent home protector and a very good and loving pet.  Don't ever underestimate the rock solid nature of most DDR/Czech GSDs, especially one with a sire who has been a proven police dog.  What I have sen of these DDR/Czech dogs is that they tend to be quite well balanced and easy going, good natured, not much bothers them, but if there is a serious, real threat they are tough as nails and respond very appropriately. 

edit- I watched vdeo, and I laughed at the guy saying "thats daddy's girl, good girl" in the backround. But he is like her, only I can pull him to me, pet his face and encourage him. Its not at the end of a line.

I am the guy at the end of the tug saying "daddy's girl and good girl".  She has tugged over the hour mark many times.  She has also won an all breeds "Hang Time" Contest.  I tug all my dogs.  If I want a great bi and lat workout, I do the tug.  Sometimes they tug against each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWc5HykvCqs&feature=related

I was wondering how long she was on that tug. She had NO plans of letting go :) This pup has so much potential. Even if he never has sport potential, he has a ton just as a family protector. :)