This is a placeholder text
Group text
by Sunsilver on 02 February 2009 - 20:02
I've been away for a few days, and we had several different people looking after the dogs. All were introduced to the dogs beforehand, and allowed to handle them and get to know them, if they didn't already.
Now, one of my friends, although a long time dog owner, is TOTALLY ignorant of dog behaviour.
She sent her husband over to look after them one night. He was alone. He's had very little exposure to the dogs, as he's usually at work when my friend and I are together. They certainly don't know him at all well.
Ranger is my 7 year old neutered male, trained as my hearing ear service dog. He's a rescue, so his lines are unknown, though judging from appearance, he is most likely working lines, or predominantly working lines. He is quite laid back, though he will bark vigourously at strangers who set foot on my property. He has never, ever growled or shown the slightest bit of agression towards anyone in the whole time I've had him. I've taken him just about everywhere, and he's een fine with everyone he's been introduced to, from small children to seniors.
Star is my 2 year old female, American lines on mom's side, and an Ursus grand-daughter on dad's side. Her hair will go up on her back if she sees a stranger approaching the house, and she's taken the odd playful nip at small children. She's much higher drive than Ranger, much quicker to react to situations. She's also very dominant, and will try to jump up on people who come to the house. (I'm working hard to teach her not to do this, of course...)
So, if either of my dogs was going to take a bite at someone, my money would have been on the female, right?
As M. was letting the dogs in from the yard, he bent down and tried to get friendly with Ranger. Ranger bit him on the arm. It was just a warning snap, and did no damage. (Needless to say, I'm very grateful he wasn't hurt!!)
Still, I am totally shocked he would do this.
Moral of the story: do not assume even a laid-back couch potato of a GSD won't react like a true member of the breed when put to the test!
by Princess on 02 February 2009 - 21:02
I wouldn't trust my girl if I'm not home,she is nice and calm ,but she is german/czech working lines and has pinned a few of my son's friends to the door,on their late night runs.No biting but if your not invited in by me she will stop you, Im not sure what she would do if there was a break in.
by Casa del Mango on 02 February 2009 - 23:02
by Sunsilver on 03 February 2009 - 00:02
by Kinolog on 03 February 2009 - 01:02
I train my service dogs in public as much as possible. I constantly find myself having to protect them from naive adults and their children. I say protect my dogs because I know to do less would be to possibly risk an incident with very unpleasant consequences. I have run into people who literally have a fit when they see one of my dogs, and the dog may be only mildly interested in their antics. I, on the other hand, would like to bitchslap them.
It would behoove a number of people to learn some manners and maybe common sense.
by Casa del Mango on 03 February 2009 - 01:02
I am just ultra-paranoid about aggression in any dog used for Service Work. As I am handicapped, I use my own dog as a Mobility Assistance dog, and I feel that we are ambassadors - especially given the breed bias against GSD in many parts of the country.
For me, once I lose trust (i.e. the dog has bitten in an inappropriate scenario), I no longer have the same faith in the stability of the dog as before. I am probably "less forgiving" than the average person, too, as I was bitten in the face as a child by our own family dog - a Springer Spaniel with Rage Syndrome, who ran into my bedroom, bit me in the face (while I was sleeping) and ran back out... it didn't "cure" me from loving dogs - but I do not make excuses for inappropriate aggression as a lot of dog owners do - including my own parents who were convinced I "must have" done something to stimulate the dog - until she bit 2 other people totally unprovoked.
I have aggressive breeds - 2 Malinois, in fact - as well as my GSD and a collie, so it isn't aggression that bothers me - just inappropriate aggression.
by Casa del Mango on 03 February 2009 - 01:02
I am just ultra-paranoid about aggression in any dog used for Service Work. As I am handicapped, I use my own dog as a Mobility Assistance dog, and I feel that we are ambassadors - especially given the breed bias against GSD in many parts of the country.
For me, once I lose trust (i.e. the dog has bitten in an inappropriate scenario), I no longer have the same faith in the stability of the dog as before. I am probably "less forgiving" than the average person, too, as I was bitten in the face as a child by our own family dog - a Springer Spaniel with Rage Syndrome, who ran into my bedroom, bit me in the face (while I was sleeping) and ran back out... it didn't "cure" me from loving dogs - but I do not make excuses for inappropriate aggression as a lot of dog owners do - including my own parents who were convinced I "must have" done something to stimulate the dog - until she bit 2 other people totally unprovoked.
I have aggressive breeds - 2 Malinois, in fact - as well as my GSD and a collie, so it isn't aggression that bothers me - just inappropriate aggression.
by Escobar on 03 February 2009 - 10:02
That would not be a dog of my taste, that bites a stranger who is no aperant threat.
Sounds like me you ain't getting the full story.
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top
