My pups' pedigree, and her lack of nerve? - Page 3

I'd like to address this comment:

[quote]

"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.

I didn't "Allow" this to happen. I was walking with my puppy on leash, when an OFF-LEASH GSD came out of nowhere. The other dog was loose, when he shouldn't have been.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

And I have been working with her. She's very socialized, and well balanced. She simply doesn't trust German Shepherds.
 


She plays well with her "friends". Her regular playmates. She's rough, but has tremendous bite inhibition with small dogs and children.

She is genuinely afraid of german shepherd dogs. that's all I see.

Yesterday, we participated in the American Cancer Society's "dog walk for cancer". There were maybe 200 dogs there, and many german shepherds. Just so happen to be a few German Shepherds from a local breeder, who's dogs are well balanced and trained. I spoke to him about her issue, and he offered that we walk together. I took the opportunity to do that, and she was fine.
I took a picture for all to see :)  (She's on the right)

It's as if she knew that that dog was safe for her. Truly amazing sense.

I think the problem here is the phrase "poor nerve". IMO this is not the proper way to describe the behavior you mention. Sensitivity, and unforgiving might be better. It seems she was indeed traumatized by the event, which could happen to any puppy that age of any line, regardless of genetics. Her inability to rebound and recover may lie in the genes. She sounds sensitive to me, not necessarily weak nerved, but I don't know her. Dog parks are generally not safe. Too many unknown factors. As with the bad experience you had, unfortunately you cannot control other people and their dogs. It's just inviting a bad experience. No thanks. :-) Good luck! Theresa

Great idea to walk her with other GSD's. I've seen that work more than once with a young dog like yours. Did she watch the older dogs to see how they reacted to other dogs. etc.? Dogs can teach other dogs as much as humans, sometimes I think more. When we first take puppies to the swimming "hole" we always take along an older dog or 2 that are good swimmers and patient with puppies. In no time those puppies are diving into the water chasing sticks too. 

We have a BC at training class that was attacked by a GSD and feared every GSD he saw. After a few sits and downs with a GSD on both sides, the BC doesn't seem to fear them much anymore. He is respectful, but doesn't try to hide when one comes his way.

what ever the reason for the dogs reaction if its poor nerve or just the bad incident many dogs would react to this if they where attacked as a pup even strong nerved dogs , and dogs react differently som get aggresive towards other dogs if they where atacked as pups other get more afraid

but the key to help the problem is let her met 100% friendly dogs og the ones she dont like so she can get another picture in the head that not all gsd are vicius

@ Jaymeise51.....I am one that said it was due to weaker nerves.....I have never said anything whatsoever about Showline or workingline.....there are different degrees of weak nerves, and they can be subject to any line....BUT that's why I never mentioned SL VS WL. If the nerves are weaker regardless of the lines the behavoirs will be evident to an experienced eye. All that nonsense you wrote is just that, nonsense; and shows your bias or lack of knowledge of both lines!!!Whew!!!!

pups and dogs will recover that have decent nerves to start with,your best chances of having a dog with good nerves is to start will top working lines known for good nerves.

Anthony,
I only skimmed through the responses you received but I wanted to tell you this, a dog will never forget an experience such as you described.
It's got nothing to do with nerve.
You could train this out of your dog, but you would neither like the training, or what it would do to your dog.
I would let it go, except it and move on.

Moons.

Moons, just like the other thread, I disagree with you. Some dogs can get beaten over the head with a 2x4 and recover immediately, whereas others piss themselves for the rest of their lives every time the wind blows.

Chaz,
your always quick with the comic remarks but your never very convincing when it comes to your knowledge of animal behavior.

No offense but your last post has nothing to do with the situation as it was described.
You are simply wrong in that regard.

I'm not sure what other thread you speak of, but so be it.
Moons.

Well, if you follow this dog, I'd be willing to bet that the scary GSDs aren't the only things to spook the dog.