Temperment ? - Page 2

I think Laris is asking if a bitch will become challenging as well around 1 to 3 years of age... and if so, the answer is yes, some do.

My expereince is yes both male and female will challenge. I have never had one growl and/or bite except for the one male that had HD. I had trained this boy as a pup and sold him at about 1.5 yrs old. He was a very good natured solid nerved boy. At age two his HD showed up and very shortly he acted just like mysti mentioned and had a couple of minor bites before getting the bad one at about age 3. Over that period his whole personality changed and eventionally even threatened the person who had bought him. Hopefully this time not the case.

Ok, I will see about getting something for the pain to see if there is a difference or not. In the meantime I will keep him off of the furniture and from jumping on people. I will work with him and be consistant with his obediance. Anybody have a recommendation for a specific book to help me to deal with his dominancy? The next time he growls at me or puts his hackles up at me what should I do? Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Mysti

Based on private emails between myself and Mysti I am fairly confident that this is a situation where a lack of experience, a dog with a dominant temperament, and Mysti and her family not knowing how to set limits is the issue. I would caution everyone to realize that Mysti is a long way from competent help and also is young and inexperienced. I am going to make some suggestions to her privately to try and see if she can get a handle on the situation without getting bitten. But if there is anyone on this board who is well skilled and lives near her, it would be good to for her to have some competent help. This situation needed attention a long time ago and has likely gone on some time in subtle and not so subtle ways. For all of you who want to help be careful about what you suggest. The dog (and potentially Mysti too) will suffer if we give advice that makes the situation worse.

Hi everyone,just to share a VERY similar case with a TRAGIC ending.I bought a few years back a showline from a big breeder in Abotsford B.C.Canada who assured me that this pup was not only a show-breeding dog but would do schutzhund with no problem.Well a few months into it the problems started,at 5 months he was already diagnosed with HD and calcinoses circumscripta.He then started to bite FAMILY members and strangers when the oppurtunity was there without warning.Things like him lying down and getting up and biting for NO good reason.After having him evaluated by 3 different schutzhund clubs and an obedience trainer and an experianced trainer-friend it was decided by all that this young pup had MAJOR temperment issues although he NEVER even tried to bite me.I personally DONT beleive this was cause of pain because in my situation the pup started showing this behaviour already from when he was just over 3 months old.I hope that this young lady is not dealing with the same thing because I had to do the UNTHINKABLE which I still have a hard time accepting.And with NO empathy or compassion from the NOT so wonderfull rip-off artist that sold me this dog.She at first agreed to replace him when i sent her and her vet the x-rays etc and when she found out from me that i had to unfortunetly put the dog down she RENEGGED.Anyway I sincerly hope that Mysti can resolve this without having the heartbreak that i had.GOOD LUCK with your dog Mysti

Domenic, I cannot say in your case, or in any case where I cannot actually interact with the dog, but it is my considerable experience that many of these cases are, in fact, situations where the dog has a certain type of temperament, which is what it is, and in the hands of inexperienced people, this type of temperament can be difficult to deal with. Then the person gets concerned when it is much older, having done little or nothing to stem the behavior from the beginning (because they either did not know how, or attributed it to something else such as the dog not feeling well etc.). Before you know it, now they take the dog to person after person and many people who have no real experience either with dogs who are like this and the inevitable result is that the owner is confused and so is the dog. It is imperative that people understand that there are dogs who will try to exert their dominance in subtle and no so subtle ways, even from young pup age. For example, I have had pups growl at me, but it is absolutely NOT tolerated for a second. It must be dealt with fairly and swiftly. In Mystis' case, I or someone else can try to help. But trying to help without seeing the dog is like trying to operate over the phone, trying to talk someone through what and where to cut when the person has no understanding of the anatomy we are discussing. So the best option for her is to take the dog someplace where she and the dog can be together, where that interaction can be observed and where she can be taught how to set limits. In my experience with hundreds of GSDs, it is rarely the dog, but almost always the owner who simply has more dog than they can handle and does not have the experience to deal with the dog. Sadly, all too often it is the dog who pays dearly for this. It is yet another reason why I advocate keeping pups much longer so that I am certain I know their temperaments, and have done the most important preliminary work of socializing with people and other animals. Still, I will not sell a pup or a GSD for that matter, to anyone who I cannot stay in contact with and frequently see the dog to make sure the dog is getting the continued training and socialization it needs. Too often these dogs go to well meaning homes, but are isolated, and then the dog regresses when the owner does not see what is happening. This is just my experience and you can take it for what it is worth.

Main thing is to act quickly before someones gets hurt. Hope it works out OK for you.

Thanks Amysue, that was exactly what I meant, I should have been more specific.

Hodie is so right. Putting the dog on pain meds is not going to solve a teenagers attitdue. But getting some assitance and understanding will.

Mysti-- A couple of weeks ago, I read our post saying your dog was in pain. I typed a response advocating Rimadyl and erased it--don't even remember why. Please don't wait another day to get the meds. He needs them. Rimadyl was a miracle for one of my dogs. There has been talk here of adverse reactions with Rimadyl---all I can say is my dog didn't experience any problems, only the benefits. And, I guess if I had to choose chancing the risks again, I'd take them. It's not fair to the dog to let him be in pain. As to your dog's dominance issues. I'm sure being in pain isn't helping; but, the pain is only making his tolerance level drop and expose what he really is--a stronger, more dominant dog than your original observation. Yes, I do believe being pain free is going to help immensely, but will never be the final solution to your problem. He's been acting out now for a couple of months and building his confidence. You will have to show him that you are the alpha, and you will have to have someone teach you how. I see D.H. and hodie have offered advice. But please, before you start these new techniques, get him on Rimadyl. Lessons will be easier for you and the dog. Good luck---This problem can be worked out.