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by justcurious on 01 August 2008 - 06:08
Hi,
This is my first post:) So by way of introduction: I am not a breeder and have owned 2 GSD, one working import & one american show. I am looking to get another - working lines - but not for a year or so.
Anyway I just wanted to say from my experience (as limited as it is compared to many others on this list), and from what I've seen and read, GSD's are often used as assistance dogs / service dogs. A quality GSD can and should be able to be trained for any job though some are better suited one particular job over another. So Joseph you might want to look into breeders/trainers who breed/train service dogs. IMHO there are many GSD with excellent temperaments who can provide your mother with protection, assistance and companionship.
My working import was one such GSD. He never cause harm to anyone young or old. He was excellent off leash and never jumped up or demanded of me physically. He even saved my life once (without having had protection training:) It happened one time when he and I were traveling cross country and I foolish continued driving a lonely stretch of highway and got too tired before I reach the next town.
I had gotten so tired that I had to stop at a pretty isolated rest stop at around midnight. He immediately stepped into his role as protector and stuck by my side even going into the stall with me:) We were in a Ford Ranger with a camper shell so I thought I would sleep in the back for a bit then we'd continue on. I gave him water and fed him and then got the bed ready. It was hot and I thought I let him sleep outside but he was clearly "on guard" and wanted to be right next to me. I looked around to where he kept directing his attention and saw 3 men near a picnic table some 50 yd away. I heeded his warning I set myself up so if there was trouble I could crawl into the cab from the bed though the rear window (this way I wouldn't have to get out of the truck). I collected all our stuff and lock us in the bed of the truck.
I'm not sure how much time passed but I woke up to the whole truck shaking and Sancho barking like mad dog;) I looked out the window and sure enough these guy were heading towards us. But his barking had stopped them in their tracts. I quickly climbed through the window to the cab and we took off. Sancho didn't stop barking until they were no longer in sight.
by justcurious on 01 August 2008 - 06:08
here's the rest of my post:)
A GSD with sound temperament, which all GSD's should have but unfortunately many do not, is capable of excelling in nearly any situation if trained properly. I hope you find a wonderful breeder who has just the female you want and need. Good luck in your search and may it be quick and easy:)
my best,
Susan
by Rainhaus on 01 August 2008 - 06:08
Joseph Wirtel, Would your great Grandmother accept a person staying with her?A good deterrant would be to have someone there periodically.This may be better than what you are inquiring about and safer for your grandmother.Not someone that just sits in front of a TV like a babysitter.One that is seen outside the home and would know how to to take care if there were any intruders.So many pick on the elderly especially if they are alone.What is important for you to do is disrupt the patterns any potential violators see..Just as most people do if they really think.."Change of Pattern"........I hope this helps.
by DesertRangers on 01 August 2008 - 10:08
people are all different and maybe a gsd will be perfect for you situation but you asked for opinions and got them. you have to make that decision so take all the pros and cons and evualtate and make the best infornmned you can. Another thing is if you do get a dog is make sure it is already well housetrained as an older dog raised outside and/or in a kennel might be an issue. i still encourge you to stay away from defensive dogs who are likley to bite someone if the owner cannot control.
by Blitzen on 01 August 2008 - 14:08
IMO it depends on the dog and the person. I think Joseph has a good understanding of what he is looking for in a dog to live with his g-grandmother and if she were not physical enough to handle a large dog, I doubt he'd be looking for one. . I personally know of 2 people in their mid 80's who presently each own 2 Alaskan Malamutes without any problems. One is healthy as a horse, the other not so since she has had some knee surgery that has left her with a slight balance problem. These dogs are kept inside a secure yard and pose no problems for their owners. In case you don't know it, Malamutes are one million times more block-headed than any GSD and at least 5 times as strong. One of these ladies uses Easy Walk harnesses for her dogs and can walk both at the same time. (These harnesses are really good for pet dogs that pull and I'd recommend them to anyone.) At any rate, if I make it until I'm 87, I plan to have a GSD by my side.
Fred Lanting is a great example of a very fit older man who can still git er done with a GSD. I don't know if I could keep up with him or not and will bet that many who are much younger than Fred could not.
by eichenluft on 01 August 2008 - 15:08
Both of my parents have and have had in the past, adopted my female GSDs when they are retired from working/breeding. My parents are not 87 (yet) they are in their 70's, but I expect they will both have my retirees up until the moment they can no longer physically care for them. The dogs are wonderful companions and live the best life a dog could live, living with and accompanying a retired person everywhere they go, always at their side. Lucky dog to have such a home.
molly
Eichenluft Working German Shepherds
by Two Moons on 01 August 2008 - 16:08
Oprah??
Your not the real Oprah??
I'm such a fool.
I feel so cheap and dirty, jaded. I'll never love again. You Bitch!!!
I'm taking down all your picture's and clipping's from the Inquirer , and burning your panty's I bought on E-bay.
I'll no longer be your door mat, no more letter's, no more latenight phone call's.
I just don't know if I can go on.
I'm gonna stuff Ho Ho's and Twinky's down my throat until I die.
Just remember you could have had the best of me, now only sad memories Oprah.
Bitch !
Hey Hodie, wanna go out sometime?
by hodie on 01 August 2008 - 18:08
Two Moons,
Thanks for the invite, but I am too old and too fat for such a guy like you.....
There is one more side to this issue that I did not mention and at the risk of Oprah getting all upset over my post, I will mention it. The other side is the dog. It is a wonderful thing for any person, especially those who are alone or a bit overwhelmed with life, at any age, to have a companion. All of us here love dogs, and especially GSDs. Many here have posted and have had positive experiences with elderly and dogs. I too have had a few, but I have had far more negatives brought to my attention in my capacity as a GSD rescue. So that is what flavors my opinion, and it is just that. If someone does not really want opinions and information, why post it on a public forum? There will always be at least two sides to any issue, and in many cases, more.
What has not been mentioned is what happens to the dog. Let's face it, placing a dog who has been placed and placed already with someone who is elderly likely means the dog will outlive the person, assuming it is young enough and healthy. So in this situation, the dog then ends up being, once again, the looser as relatives then scramble to place the dog.
Last week, for example, I got two emails illustrating this. One was from a woman whose grandmother died. The dog was also old, had bitten several people already and was clearly poorly socialized and had no training. The second one was from someone whose grandfather had died, leaving two GSDs that animal control did not feel safe in approaching. Neither had obedience, or socialization since the time the grandfather had adopted them. One was not housebroken. Though this situation might end up and I hope it will, much better with the appropriate dog being selected, what will happen to the dog when the relative passes away? This question is one to answer regardless of size or breed.
My concern is about the safety of the elderly person with a large dog. My concern is about the issue of proper training, socialization and control. But, in the end, they are only that and the original poster will have to deal with and be responsible for all those issues and more. I hope to have dogs until I die. But I can see that a time may come when it might be too much for me. If my personal safety is at issue, I will hope that I can find other ways to secure my safety.
by Don Corleone on 01 August 2008 - 19:08
Honestly, I would go out and buy Mom a 20 ga shotgun. It is lighter than a 12 and spreads out in a wide pattern, so that aiming is not a problem. Maybe a Dachshund for a watchdog to alert her to visitors.
I do like the idea of an alarm system.
If you do not find the right dog, might I make another suggestion? Why not put up two rows of fencing around the perimeter of the property and place a tiger between the fences?
Another thought is to move mom to a nice condo or assisted living community where she can take care of herself with others around. It would be more secure and she can do her own thing.
by Sam1427 on 01 August 2008 - 20:08
Joseph, if you are still reading this thread, you sound like you have a good idea of what you want and what your mom can handle so take our suggestions and then do what you will. When my mom was in her 70s she exercised regularly and could easily walk and control my GSDs. In her 80s, she could control my very sweet, very obedient GSD bitch. If she were still around, she would not have been able to control my 9 month old GSD male - he's a handful still. I think you have a good idea of the type of dog you need for an 87 year old, although I sure would hesitate about it.
I have no desire to debate anyone over security bars, security systems, or what type of gun I'd recommend for an 87 year old woman. All of these things depend on the person and what she can handle.
Don, how about a moat between those fences with an alligator or two? The OP is in Florida, IIRC.
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