Dogs that spin vs. Dogs that don't - Page 3

agar

How does this dog get along with other dogs?

No Molly,

He is calm, confident ,focused  and clear in his personality and make-up. When he wants to get the bad guy he's ready to go,not calm but still confident and focused.  He does not have a nerve issue. Maybe some do with that behavior, I don't doubt it, but this one does not. I have to agree with GARD and Jeff so far on this one.  If it was a nerve issue the dog would have problems engaging or working in defense or biting high on the body (near the eyes) among other things. I agree some dogs who spin have a nerve issue but not all. Some are just ready to go and don't care for being held back by a leash. They are bold, not nervy. Some civil dogs are just like that. I'm not talking about a sport dog. If a sport dog was exibiting that behavior I would tend to agree it was a nerve issue.

Another thing,spinning may be related to a decoy who doesn't read adog well and know how to get the best out of it. This is not a clear cut issue.

Bottom line is, when the dog is spinning, he is turning away from the helper/threat/person/object he is supposed to be focused on.  Sport or real, he is NOT focusing if he is turning around in circles and turning his back.  He is "overloading" and not focusing, not clear and not calm in the drives.  For me it is even more of a problem with a PP or Police or other "real" dog, if he is not able to focus and stay calm in his drives. 

I've had dogs who were "over the top" in drives, absolutely could not cap their drives, would go ga-ga in their drives and become a raving lunatic - but they never ever spun around.  Not even "sometimes".  My big male didn't care to be held back by the leash, so he would take me grass-skiing on my heels, straight forward toward the decoy.  Hard to hold him back when he did that.   Very strong dog - no spinning, ever.  Clear in the head, strong nerves, no spinning.

molly

southtexan-  She gets along fine with other dogs, people, kids and even cats she can gain her self control to not go after.

Gard- My dog does the same thing you described your little dog does; spins when the decoy backs off.  I can't see her spinning to be a nerve issue as after hearing you describe what you felt the spinning was coming from is exactly how my trainer just explained it to me this afteroon when I talked to him about it.  She does not back off the decoy EVER but instead does the oposite, she wants to chew him up.  When he's in close range of her she's not spinning but out in front telling him to bring on the fight.  So maybe I did not explain the situation too well to give a better picture of what happens and when the spinning is taking place.  She doesn't spin in her crate, kennel, the house or put in public.  I wondered if she was just spinning because she was too pissed off that she was being held back by the pole??  She's definately a very civil dog.  Maybe not the dog one would choose for schutzhund but I really really like her.  For me I'm not concerned about a high point scoring dog, not looking for a shot at the podium but rather just want to have fun with her.  This is the same dog my 10 yr old daughter has started working in obedience and those 2 are a picture made in heaven together.  So I really have to agree that it's not a nerve issue with her but more frustration building because she can't wait to get the bite and wants to fight.

Wish you the best with your girl! Regardless she still is in a good home which is the most important!

The largest male pup out of Ham V d Urbecke breeding , started the spinning at 6 mos old , not in training, but when let out of kennel , the day my trainer came to get him.....wasnt a nerve issue,,,,a behavior problem    he was excited but he started it about a week before, as he finally matured a little , after his sister left.....he has no nerve issues , as little as Tom tested him, but Tom said it is a behavioural habit , and a lot of german shepherds start it at a pup age, and if you dont stop it , now,,,it becomes a distraction and nasty habit..upon the training field.....

He has a routine he does when it starts the spinning....and it works....so maybe some high prey older dogs , started it at an early age and were never corrected.....Tom is the first trainer to address it....Konig spun sometimes  , upon the bitework, approach by the decoy......

I have seen a lot of males do it at training..but never addressed it...as it wasnt my dog....but Czar did it the day he left and Tom addressed it and said ;'Ill take care of that little problem.."   Havent ask him if he suceeded, but I will , in about 10 minutes....

Agar: Possible he has done this for a long time and his is behaviour  and never corrected...and it is a stress, which is why dogs get wound up,,,,my female cocker spins when I let her out....all the way to the front door.....but she is a cocker and she is high as a kite...not nervous  but just high drive and very active..., loves to do agility and she spins.....

Interesting discussion. My dog exibits spinning only when I approach him from outside a gate or kennel. Has never done it on the field or working with a decoy, just me when he is (happy/excited). I would never call it a nerve issue, just his way to express his delite. I have never seen him do it in his kennel by himself, only in front of the door when I walk outside as he waits for me to open the kennel. If I don't let him out he will bark and spin until I leave his sight.

Yellow- It's my girl that is the spinner.  My boy doesn't spin.  I wondered if her little problem was from puppyhood and never corrected.  She's only 3 so I can't imagine it's not something that we can't work out.  I'm curious if your friend Tom was able to fix that issue in the situation you pointed out to me.  Let me know. 

4-pack, I'd think your dog spinning in the kennel when he sees you is totally different situation than when my girl is doing bitework.  I'd say it's just his way of telling you how happy he is to see you and to hurry up with the grub cause he's hungry.  I swear my dogs have their own alarm clock and if I'm a minute late in letting them out or feeding them they are quick to let me know it.