Need help from experienced GSD owners - Page 3

"Keith, 'protect her property' from a small kid? What are you smoking?"

So, midgets get a free ride?  You people are confused.  Just because your dog is good with your grandbabies and whatnot doesn't mean you should expect him/her to react accordingly with a stranger encroaching on your property.  Dogs protect their territory...expect the worst or suffer the consequences.  As for me, I will keep my dog safely on a leash when he isn't confined to a fenced area.  Do whatever you like...the dog world is full of people who swore their dog would never have done such a thing...

Keith, 'protect her property' from a small kid? What are you smoking?"

A good GSD can tell a threat from a non threat!

Some dogs precive threat differently then others. If someone, big people or little people are running in the direction of the dog it could precive it to be a threat. I would train train train and learn how the dog thinks and responds to all kinds of actions from all kinds of humans. I own a dog that I would not leave around children, and I would not trust anyones dog around any child I was responsible for period.

"A good GSD can tell a threat from a non threat" Bull Crap A good dog with good training can.

Beware of the dog that can read all things as they are. Only Rin Tin Tin can do this. Well and Lassie.

Paul

...I like that post Paul G...

I am not an expert either, but my brother in law's dog a boxer goes crazy when he sees two people, One is a grown man who has teased the dog and has aggravated him once too often. When he sees him he wants to tear down the fenced area where he is kept. The other person is a young boy, this boy has also aggravated the dog by throwing rocks and stuff at the dog.  When this boy walks by the dog goes crazy barking and trying to find a way out to get to this kid. My brother in law has witnessed these acts by both people. My question to you is, has your dog been left alone in your yard and does this kid live nearby. If so the kid might have aggravated the dog somehow.  Just my thought.

Keith you seem to have forgotten that the kid in this case was
walking along the street.  The dog went out of her yard to bark
at him.  That's not defending property, that's being a bloody
nuisance.

Minicus: I did not mean the dog has to be on a leash all the time.  I work with my dog in my fenced field so she is not on a leash. When I am in public she is on a leash. Even if I totally trust her I don't always trust children know how to act around your dog. Do not trust other dogs to behave correctly so I will not take the chance.

Bingo !

Thank you all.  I am not the best dog trainer I know that.  I am an ICU nurse, mother of 3 young kids, wife of military, doing her very best with the better intentions.  But even with my very best, I'm not a good dog trainer.  I am too emotional.  For the kid, she is doing fine, I went to make sure.  It ended up being one of my neighboor daughter, she called my dog from the other side of the street, I didn't hear that with my hat on.  But she is ok.
The kid is alright, hopefully.  My dog will never be offleash again I can assure you that. 
Today my husband will call a friend who has relations in a K9 unit and we will see.  I know that my dog would be better in professional hands.  I am more than sure she is sound.  She is just with the wrong owner.
Thank you again. 

So you are giving up the dog, just because she barked at someone when she was off-leash and unsecured ? 

I agree...sounds like you're doing fine with her, you just needed a little guidance over a specific situation.  I don't think anyone has suggested you aren't capable.