My pups' pedigree, and her lack of nerve? - Page 2

I don't think it's so much a dog issue but more a handler issue. You say you "avoid dog parks". Why? You say she is  "well socialized". Then dog parks shouldn't be an issue.
Are you scared she is going to be pinned down again?
Think about what you are feeling when you see another GSD approaching and change your behaviour. Any physical attention you give her when she is frightened will increase her insecurity.
If you tense up when another GSD is approaching, it will travel down the leash.
Think about a different approach in your behaviour when you are meeting other dogs.
I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with your dog's genetics.

I avoid the "dog parks" because it doesn't sit well with her. I've taken her, and it's alomst as if she wears a sign on her back that says "get me".

I've tried to get her "in the local pack" at the park. I'm not sure what signals she's giving off, but she immediately becomes prey.

For example.... A few weeks ago, we went to the local dog run. She's been in there a hundred times with her 2 or three regulars, but not with the older dogs.. I entered her in the run, and in a matter of seconds, the ENTIRE group of dogs was chasing her. Her ears were back, her tail was tucked, and as soon as a dog touched her, she yelped like she was being murdered. Everyone puilled their dog off her, as she did her best to hide.
I couldn't subject her to that experience. 

OTOH, if I choose her friends carefully, she's fine.

Not sure if youtube link here, but here she is playing with a friend.

It's a 10 month Golden, and she's OK. Sometimes she plays rougher than others.

HOWEVER, if a GSD enters the play area, she'll literally look in the direction of that dog, and run for her life.
That incident really scarred her.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDAn2yuGRME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv-ggG9YA5o

This is poor nerve, but Kira can likely be conditioned to not react to other friendly GSD's. The problem will recur if the dog is aggressive.

do not take her to dog parks! this is the worst place to take her, it reinforces her trama.

take her to a dog training class where all other dog are on leash. you will have to pre-arrange this. ask all owners to ignor you and her. put her in a down stay and let her watch from a safe distance. do not put her in a corner. sit next to her and ignor her. if she moves put her back in the down stay.... eventually she will become easy with having a bunch of adult dog around her and not caring about her. when she starts to get bored only then give her a treat, but ignor her any other time. this might take weeks.

once she is easy with having adult dogs around set up with the owner of the most dog neutral dog for a meeting where the 4 of you can walk side by side (2 dogs, 2 humans). once again do not reinforce her fear- do not baby her, do not notice it, do not apologize for her. just expect her to do her obedience and when she does it correctly reward her for it.

do this with as many of the other dog neutral dogs as possible. but only one at a time. the stupidity of putting her in that situation could live with her for the rest of her life. and you've been reinforcing it by trying to make things better. once she is completely normal with other breeds, do the same with gsd's... the more adult gsd's she can be exposed to in a controlled environment the better.

do not take her to dog parks!

i've dont the same thing and its taken a very long time to fix it.

a dog that has been through that kind of atack from other dogs that is not very good no matter what the lines many pups that are attacked pups are very  easy to take bad experience in and remember it

I would suggest that you use cranio sacral therapy  for the pup ity may help if dogs have injuris or bad experince in life

GSDs are extremely emotional dogs. Being traumatized that early can still have an effect on her, doesn't matter if she's show or working. But your reactions and feelings also play into her. If you're calm with the situation and not thinking "how's she going to react, is she going to back down, i hope she doesn't get jumped", then that will radiate back on her. Being as young as she is she relies more on you. If you give off the nervous vibes, she'll be nervous. I suggest finding a nice and calm GSD, doesn't matter the age (a well-socialized dog isn't a dog that is just raised around dogs of it's age and breed, but all sizes and ages), and do the distance conditioning. It should help.

Cowers, tucks her tail, and goes between my legs is not indicative of mishandling by the owner unless it is an abusive owner and I don't think that is the case here. C'mon people. Many of us have seen this type of behavoir many many many times and 95% of the time it is genetics, sometimes with a lack of socialization mixed in; (but the lack of socialization is not the issue here), Soooooo!
also, I have owned an 8 week puppy that was mauled by two adult dogs and had half the ear bit off and a complete hole(puncture) through the back thigh during the mauling. The dog at 2 years went to the NY State police dept and graduated the academy. Not saying all dogs are the same, just saying that many many solid nerved dogs recover quite well from traumatic experiences when young.....see it all the time. That's why solid nerve should be the number one focus of breeders.....but that's another story.

If the probelm was general nerves you would see these types of behaviors in other situations. One thing that is true regarless of a dog being show or working lines is the period up to 4 months of age is critical with regard to socialization. The timing of this incident was unfortunate and will likely have lasting effects. This is NOT solely as handler issue, and I would never take my dog to a dog park. You are just asking for trouble.

While your dog will likely always have some issues with other GSD you should be able to desensitize her somewhat if you can put her in enough controled situations to build her confidence. Interactions should be not only with GSDs that are neutral to other dogs but also with experienced handlers. This level of control will also allow you to relax more. As others have mentioned your dog can sense when you are nervous.

My goal would not be to have her play with other GSDs but just to get her to the point of not reacting negatively. It would be great if she just ignored them.

 

this has nothing what so ever to do with genetics it is trauma i wonder how all these bigots that are saying genetics would feel if someone booted the shit out of you  and what you would be like every time you saw them again dont think you would welcome them with open arms, get a grip this young dog was brutalised by a gsd, and the fact that she is good with other dogs proves for me it is not genetic. Anthony take it from me the ones saying its genetic would paint another picture if your pup was off working stock dont listen to the bigots it is most definately trauma the fact that she only acts this way to gsd would seem to prove that.I hope you can bring her through this.
jimh

"pinned and seriously shaken" and genetics is questions and/or blamed. Wow!! I have never heard of a dog being racist due to genetics.

You allowed a dog to do this to your pup during her very important imprinting age, now you have to do the work to desensitize her if you want to see any improvement. You need to work with someone with experience and knowledge in this matter. If it was 7 months ago or 7 years ago, she isn't going to just get over it without work on your part and the help of a 110% reliable, friendly/non-threatening GSD.