Looking for spayed female companion/guard for 87 yr. old great grandma - Page 2

If you want something that barksas a deterrent, get a smaller dog for an 87 year old. But I suggest that you burglar "proof" your mom's home first by putting bars on the windows and buying an alarm from a reputable company.  Bars can be very decorative and attractive as well as functional. And an alarm system company is likely to get there a lot quicker than the police will. The police exist to investigate crime after it happens; they also deter by their presence but they can't be everywhere. If your mom is agreeable, you could also give her the gift of an NRA personal protection class. If she wants to keep a gun, buy her one after consulting with an NRA instructor or protection professional. You live in a good state for defending against home invaders with a gun.

Now that you've posted here, you will have lots of people contacting you about selling you a dog. Be very careful. If your mom decides a dog is what she wants, be sure to find out the dog's pedigree, watch a video of the dog, find out as much as you can about any dog you might buy. It should be your mom's decision whether to have a dog or not, since she is the one who will have to live with the dog. I would strongly discourage an 87 year old from getting a GSD unless she was very, very experienced with training and handling such a large powerful animal. Even the females are very strong.

No grandkids, no cats, just my male GSD "Xerox Leri" would be here 3X a week   ....She's recently widowed in a large house-alone...I come here at least 3X a week from Miami with my male....She had 2 rottweilers in the late 80's....I appreciate the concerns; they are valid ones...I tend to focus on what a dog brings in situations like this. The yard is fenced, on a lake, plenty of room...We've always owned working dogs...IMO, a "tricked out" shepherd is second to none....I'm being very deliberate on this one, and believe me, if the planets don't allign 100%, I will pass...When I mention that she's 87, people are aghast...Forget about it, she's in better shape than most 35 year olds... Again, all of your ideas are valid, and I am not overlooking them...

I can tell you this, from my nursing work with the elderly: an 87 year old who walks FIVE MILES a day will not be easily knocked off her feet! Studies have shown exercise is the key to preventing falls in the eldery.

So, of course, then when our parents or grandparents go into nursing homes, the next thing you know the home has them confined to a wheelchair....

I appreciate all the passion...I do....I just want to leave with this thought. My 2 yr old GSD male is strong as a bull...You can check him out here at GSD under the name Xerox Leri ....He is 80 lbs of solid rock....However, when I put him in a down, he stays down, and the gates of hell aren't going to move him until I release him from the down...So I understand the concern, but  I am not going to buy a dog unless that dog is a belly offering/100% compliant dog, as mine is....I taught him early on that jumping on people, jumping on the dinner table, growling at guests and all of that is unacceptable....As a result, he's more civilized than most of the humans I meet on a daily basis....We're on the GSD site, not the Malinois already! Thanks for the thoughts and the passion...I may have presented my initial posts incorrectly by accentuating the home invasion story....Really, I want a loving, compliant, sweet, retired GSD female who wants a happy, loving home in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, on a lake to boot....If the dog scares the hell out of perps and allows my mom to sleep better at night, I consider that a bonus....Thanks everybody...

Sunsilver, let me pass on to you the GSDs someone wants me to take into my rescue program because they knocked down the elderly owner......

You are correct, of course, about exercise. But GSDs are not dogs that elderly people can handle and people here above have elaborated on my concerns.

As well, from being on this database, you probably have already discovered that the dog that gets sold to this person is most likely to be inappropriate because every shark lurking here will be writing this man wanting to sell him a dog. Given that he probably knows little to nothing about the breed, and I am NOT trying to be insulting, it is a match made for disaster. But he will do what he likes and this is my last comment on the subject. At least he cares about his elderly relative and that is more we can say for many.

Sam1427  says: If you want something that barksas a deterrent, get a smaller dog for an 87 year old. But I suggest that you burglar "proof" your mom's home first by putting bars on the windows and buying an alarm from a reputable company.  Bars can be very decorative and attractive as well as functional.

Whatever you do DO NOT install security window bars  as it may cause hazardous conditions if the house catches fire. Theirs known cases where the house was on fire and because the owner installed security window bars that the fire fighters wasn't able to get access to the house to save the victim. I also think as far as cosmetic reasons that it's not a good idea.

Two Moons  says: I would suggest spending that much money on iron bar's for window's and door's to make entry less possible.

That's a dangerous situation if something like I said above happen. I don't recommend security window bars.

As far as getting lessons for using a gun.... Just how strong is grandma? The situation can easily backfire as the gun can be used against the gun owner. It has happen.

Joseph Wirtel, I agree with getting a smaller dog like Yorkshire terrier for your grandma. I have one and each time someone comes near the door, like a mailman, he actually smashes his body against the door and raises hell.

Instead of paying thousands of dollars for one you can check at your local humane society or resue for one. Since you live in Southern Florida I can help  find one for you. Let me know if you accept the idea of getting a yorkie and I'll soon start searching one for you.

At least he cares about his elderly relative and that is more we can say for many:  . But he will do what he likes and this is my last comment on the subject. At least he cares about his elderly relative and that is more --probably knows little to nothing about the breed,-Hodie

Thanks for the back handed, a priori, compliment....Sort of like, "at least Hitler made the trains run on time, right?"

Looks like you've had some negative experiences with buyers and I'm getting painted with the same brush. Every case is different, as is every individual. The world would be a lot better place were we to listen more and talk less.  Also, is there a mandatory age limit beyond which one is not allowed to own a shepherd?  Since when did trained shepherds become such a menace to old people?

Regarding the comment on my "probable" ignorance, let me add that there is an old proverb that goes something like this: "the only person who can't learn anything more is the one who knows it all". I'll do what I'll do; you're right there....The subtext of that comment indicates that I will be inclined to ignore the facts before me and act on impulse and rationalize my ill conceived choice after I've made it.....Wow.!....To me,  such an individual is a fool in my book, and that is a club in which I am not a member.....

jpw

PS: I do honour my mother....

Joseph, 

Nothing I wrote here was to be construed as anything except a compliment when it comes you your caring for your elderly relative. However, you asked for an opinion, and based on years and years of experience with this breed and with people wanting to dump the GSD, sometimes because dogs were put in situations like these, I have offered you my opinion. Of course, you may disregard my advice or others, and it is your right to do so.  I don't know you, your relative or will be privy to the tons of people who will try to sell you a dog. Just be careful. I am actually on your side and wish to protect your relative as much as do you.

Best wishes whatever you do.

I agree 100% with Hodie.  Even though it sounds like your grandma is in fantastic shape for her age, a hard bump from a GSD could cause her to fall which would be disasterous.  Also just because an older GSD has a schHIII doesn't mean it will obey her, let alone protect her.  Many 1st time buyers of imported, titled dogs think they were ripped off when they find their new dog won't listen to or obey them.  The reality is the dogs are punking them because they don't respect them. Very few working dogs will perform for just anyone who spits out a command. 

 If you are sure a large working dog is a good fit for her, perhaps an older Rottie since she is very experienced with the breed.  They usually have a slower walking/trotting gait than a GSD, which might be more suitable and comfortable for her, and let's face it, nothing would present quite as formidable a picture to the general public!

  Sorry, Joseph, there are a lot of people on the board who post first, and never bother reading all the info. And, I fully appreciate where hodie is coming from. She does a lot of rescues, has seen and heard it all, and it makes her crotchety sometimes!  Can't say I blame her...

You sound like you know the breed fairly well, despite the conclusions some people have jumped to. (It's a favourite form of exercise for people on this board...)

Your dog sounds like it is very well trained, and, I assume since your grandma owned a couple of Rotties, she must know a thing or to about training as well. Rotties are not a breed you'd want to have around if they hadn't been taught some manners!

Also, although I'm all for her choosing a smaller dog, I sincerely doubt that someone who has had Rotties in the past is going to be happy with a ....excuse me [GAG!] .... Yorkshire terrier!  If you're going to go for something smaller, at LEAST choose something that's big enough to show some serious teeth!

Oh, and when I first came to this board, someone told me I was 'kennel blind'! Kind of a strange thing to say, especially since I don't HAVE a kennel, and have never bred a dog in my life!