HOW TO MAKE A DOG A GOOD GUARD DOG - Page 4

     Hank, I read the thread about Dargo when it was posted...I was very impressed with the idea that a dog could really be like a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde....I am jealous for a temperament like that..
         
           I would like your opinion.... 

          If a dog does not like people outside his family, is it typically because a lack of discernment, which equals unsound mind...Could a dog just not like people and still be a stable sound minded dog???     

           If it mainly comes down to nurture what exactly do handlers do to create this type of behavior??...Lets assume that the puppy was well socialized ....Did you notice the thread posted about the muzzle????...I can relate to the OP...I know that it could be a thousand different things that could cause a dog to be unfreindly, but what is the most common in your opinion???? Thanks for your time....: )

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=127400 
    

Red Sable....Your dog temperament sounds delightful...: ) And is nice looking as well....
       

It's funny Deanna that when you read about the characteristics of Dargo it almost sounds rare for a dog to be able to be so mello and friendly toward people, and yet be able to protect his family with such fierceness. But in reality that should be the norm for the GSD.

In Canada I have a friend that owns the great dog Navar. Navar can be one bad son of a gun. A top stud dog, yet Christina the owner has a bunch of little kids, and navar plays with them and loves their company. Last winter they had Navar hooked up to a sleigh and Navar was pulling those little kids down a country road in the snow.

A handler alot of times does not cause the problem with a dog not being social, But is the only one that can correct it. Sometimes the wrong people or one negitive incident can cause a dog to lose his trust toward certain things. I had a dog that was 7 years old that never was aggresive toward other dogs. She got jumped on by another dog, and was aggresive from that point. It took a lot of time for her to be social to strange dogs. But she got over it because she was obedient to obey me and I would put her in situations with dogs I knew were not aggresive, but strangers to her. Over time she learned that she could be respectfull of strange dogs while learning to trust them. Same as people.

Those things are learned behaviors, and if they learned them they can be taught to overcome them

Most times dogs dislike some things because of good decernment, not bad. It is because of cause and effect. If I burn my hand touching a stove, I don't want to touch it twice. Some people get all over a dog trying to dicipline a dog for these type things ,when they should be teaching them like a kid.
Hank

Thank you Deanna, no dog is perfect, and both of mine have their flaws but they suit me okay.
Ruger (and I think I've said this once before) sounds like my kind of dog too.

  We all have different things we like in a dog because we all want different things from them. What happend to the O.P. ?

     Hank, 

         It is hard for me to imagine a temperament like Dargo and Navar.....I would like to achieve something close with my own male, but I have made some mistakes in his handling and that probably is not a realistic expectation...I have enjoyed your insight...Thanks...: )


    Red Sable....Yes, I remember you saying that...: )

              I also wondered about the OP too...I hijacked his thread....lol..

Deanna, you are welcome.

RS, Is not the topic about "How To Make a Good Guard Dog" as the title suggests. If it is then I do not see where any of these posts were off topic. If the original poster is offended by any thing I may have written, I appoligize to him or her. Although I stand by what I said. I would have thought the Moderator would have said so. best regards ; Hank

Deanna,

You wrote:
"If a dog does not like people outside his family, is it typically because a lack of discernment, which equals unsound mind...Could a dog just not like people and still be a stable sound minded dog??? " 

Yes, a dog can have a very solid temperament, sound mind and rock solid nerves and not like strangers.  I have a dog that is super affectionate with his family and will rarely let strangers pet him.  He is a super strong dog that doesn't appreciate strangers touching him.  He will play fetch with strangers but that is it.  He is surprisingly social around the SWAT team on deployments but that is it. 

I completely disagree with the unsound mind comment in regards to a dog that doesn't fawn all over strangers. 

Sorry, I haven't read the rest of this thread............I only read your post

I'm avoiding most of the threads on the PDB but your post got my interest.

Jim






    

I have a dog that is very social around family (even my kids and small dogs) and tolerates strangers around her, but she does not like to be hovered over by a stranger and definitely not leaned on for petting or hugged. Strangers, in my presence, can touch her, but she doesn't enjoy it and will leave. She will play ball catch with someone, but she's not going to go to them affectionately.

A vet visit can be a challenge and it's a good idea that I handle her throughout the visit and depending upon what is being done, she should be muzzled just in case.

I don't consider her unstable at all, just that she's naturally suspicious and only likes "her" people the best.

         Slamdunc...Hi there...: )  Nice to hear from you...: )

          I have had that same experience with Prince playing fetch with a stranger, but when they stop throwing, the fun and games are over...lol...

         Again it is remarkable that there are dogs that can be both ends of the spectrum, as I have heard said about Dargo and Navar....However, I did not get the impression that Hank believed that if a dog is not stranger friendly that it necessarily makes it an unstable temperament....But, I will let Hank comment....That is a very interesting topic...A HOT TOPIC...: )

         I hope you will stick around for it....: )

           I saw Kelly put Prince in a down in a room full of adults, children, and other dogs ,and he stayed calm and obedient....I venture to say that he would not dare to act out aggressive in her presence....I love that lady....So I know he can do it...Prince has selective unstableness of mind....lol



       ShadyLady,  Sounds lots like my male....: )

   


        
         

Sorry Hank, I think you misunderstood me.  I meant the original poster, not the original post.  Personally I like it when topics branch off, it makes it interesting. :)

I've found this thread very interesting to follow.

Senta's behavior depends on the situation. She is very friendly to strangers (much licking) but she won't obey any commands from them or my extended family (eg. she won't even turn her head when her name is called). She loves being petted but won't share her paw with others (ie. shake paw). She's very good natured with children; I was very pleased this weekend when she indulged a 3-year old's curiosity (his first experience with a dog) and allowed her ears and tongue to be measured to see if her's were really bigger. She also allowed her paw pad to be closely examined to see how it was different than his shoe. However, her behavior changes radically when we hike together on a trail. It's like a switch gets flipped. She stays very close to my side and when she smells another hiker approaching, she will puff her hair up, her body goes rigid, and she moves in front of me. She looks back for a command (it's OK) and we move on.

I'm also interested to know how large an impact a handler has on the dog's unfriendliness to strangers. I've been considering purchasing my second GSD from a particular breeder. The dogs have many qualities that I'm looking for but all of the ones I've seen (both owned by the breeder and two raised by other people) HATE strangers. I accidently looked in the direction of one dog (no direct eye contact) and it growled at me and would have lunged except the dog was ordered to stay. Jeez! I live downtown so it would be very difficult to own a dog that is this unfriendly to strangers.