ADVICE! ASAP! to keep my GS?

#1 24-10-11, 08:30 PM

Good morning

I have a 2.5 yr old black female German shepherd that I recently am unsure if she is the right dog for me. I got her from a horrible kennel at the age of 6 months and she was a
very timid thing (next time I'm getting a puppy and choosing my breeder carefully) Since, ive put a lot of work into her and she is now quite obedient in terms of sit drop stay etc. She has also formed a great bond with us, and is even really good around my 8month old niece (although I'd never leave a dog and a child alone). She loves gardening with me etc. However, I can't take her around other dogs as she protects me so much. And protects the entire street from people by constant barking as people walk to the train station at the bottom of my street. She recently went to bite a friends dog (it's a horrible dog but that's not the point) but accidentally got my father in laws leg instead. This gave me a fright and my trust in her has diminished. I struggle to get the emotional strength to go to the local
dog school as she tries to protect me from any dog that comes close. I want to have kids soon in my life and I'm wondering what the right decision for her is and me. I question whether she would be happier in a different environment where she doesn't feel the need to constantly protect. I have an attachment to her any cry when i think about giving her up but need to do the sensible thing. I like having a guard dog but she takes it to the extreme. I've had other shepherds that didn't take their guarding so seriously! After reading some webpages on lack of puppy socialization, they describe describe exactly my dog. "increased aggression, abnormal fear responses, lack of sociability and hyperactivity" and suggest she might be disturbed for life.

i have a trainer that has found a new home for her. up in the sunshine coast hills (Australia, QLD) on acreage, old retired couple. She wont have people walking past, nor do they have the desire to take her places like we do (camping, dog parks etc) so she wont have the issues we are having and she would be perfect. I just wonder if I'm giving up on her too easily or if this new family would be a better place for her. Or if she will even bond with the other family like she has us.

I'd love some advice and reassurance one way or another if someone could give it to me?

sams mum · #2 24-10-11, 08:48 PM

sorry you are going through this. i wouldnt like to advise on anything but there are lots on here who will advise and give there views.....

Sylvieliz · #3 24-10-11, 09:04 PM

A difficult decision to make and really only you can make it but it does sound as though she is just too full on for you. She has taken control unless you can get her to realise you are in charge the situation will never alter.
Yes GSDs mainly do have a strong guarding instinct but should be controllable she obviously does not trust you to deal with the situation so she does with disastrous results. Can your trainer not help with you getting control of her, sounds as though you have lost all confidence in dealing with her. Would a retired couple be able to deal with her. Don't really think moving her to the back of beyond where she is isolated and sees no one is the answer.
Just my opinion love not set in stone.
I wish you and her luck whatever you decide to do.

DelsMum · #4 24-10-11, 09:54 PM

Hi Wheeler :-)

I have had the exact problem with my Jerry Lee and we have managed to solve it with the help of an awesome trainer and by putting in a LOT of work. I'm talking months! You can do it if you are consistent and have the right help. Do you have the time and patience to work through it? If not it maybe better that your dog goes to someone who is able give her what she needs but I'm not sure an old retired couple will be able to handle her.

claire_88 · #5 24-10-11, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheeler

Good morning

I have a 2.5 yr old black female German shepherd that I recently am unsure if she is the right dog for me. I got her from a horrible kennel at the age of 6 months and she was a
very timid thing (next time I'm getting a puppy and choosing my breeder carefully) Since, ive put a lot of work into her and she is now quite obedient in terms of sit drop stay etc. She has also formed a great bond with us, and is even really good around my 8month old niece (although I'd never leave a dog and a child alone). She loves gardening with me etc. However, I can't take her around other dogs as she protects me so much. And protects the entire street from people by constant barking as people walk to the train station at the bottom of my street. She recently went to bite a friends dog (it's a horrible dog but that's not the point) but accidentally got my father in laws leg instead. This gave me a fright and my trust in her has diminished. I struggle to get the emotional strength to go to the local
dog school as she tries to protect me from any dog that comes close. I want to have kids soon in my life and I'm wondering what the right decision for her is and me. I question whether she would be happier in a different environment where she doesn't feel the need to constantly protect. I have an attachment to her any cry when i think about giving her up but need to do the sensible thing. [B]I like having a guard dog but she takes it to the extreme. I've had other shepherds that didn't take their guarding so seriously! After reading some webpages on lack of puppy socialization, they describe describe exactly my dog. "increased aggression, abnormal fear responses, lack of sociability and hyperactivity" and suggest she might be disturbed for life.

i have a trainer that has found a new home for her. up in the sunshine coast hills (Australia, QLD) on acreage, old retired couple. She wont have people walking past, nor do they have the desire to take her places like we do (camping, dog parks etc) so she wont have the issues we are having and she would be perfect. I just wonder if I'm giving up on her too easily or if this new family would be a better place for her. Or if she will even bond with the other family like she has us.

I'd love some advice and reassurance one way or another if someone could give it to me?

Hi there, sorry to hear your having this trouble. It's hard when behavioural problems kick in but there is almost always an explanation for them.

''She protects you so much'' ''my trust in her has diminished''
Dogs are a very loyal species, and she will pick up on your tension and uncertainty although she wont understand why, her behaviour will change with your mood and feelings.

One-to-one trainer?? There are good trainers about that are willing to do one on one training sessions, but i would recommend one that specifies in gsds so they have a better understanding.

Whether you believe in the pack structure or not, dogs take their role within a household very seriously, if you are a weak leader, the dog imo has no choice but to step up and take control..... (cautious posting that but it's what i think, these dogs do need strong experienced owners who will not tolerate any over-ruling or bad behaviour)

I have recently overcome aggressive behaviour in my own shep, and it was all with reward based training and positive, assertive attitude, Quick thinking and no nonsense.

I think with the right training and time you can turn this negativity into something great and have a beautiful well behaved dog, and give her a second chance.

''Dogs don't act out of hatred or a self-serving agenda''

#6 24-10-11, 10:23 PM

See she (Tilly) knows im boss and listens to my every word...except when it comes to "guarding". I took her for a walk this morning and she will walk straight past people...just not other dogs. But when in her yard, people arent allowed to walk down the street. I know if i spent all day with her, in and around the house, and no one walked by...she'd be perfect.
The trainer who has this home for her if i want it specialises in German Shepherds. He doesnt think any amount of training will make her into the very social dog i want (camping with dogs etc). The old retired couple would take her on a trial for 2 weeks, and if they like her personality, the trainer takes her back and does an intense month of training with her for them. he thinks in this more remote environment she will do much better.
no one is home during the day to work with her on the barking...so she is fre to bark all day. In terms of her agression outside the property, Im emotionally exhausting from going to dog school with her because of the other peoples reactions when Tilly goes to warn them off coming near. But im emotionally torn with keeping her and spending the required time with her- if it will acheive something.

I have no idea what to do! Im trying to keep emotions out of it and work out what the RIGHT thing to do is...but even then im so mixed up on what is right.

Debs1 · #7 24-10-11, 10:23 PM

Hi,
I'm no expert but from what I've read I would let her go to the old couple, I think she would be calmer with them as there would be less perceived threats. It is so hard with these things, I've recently had to give my bedlington terrier to a couple in Paignton, it broke my heart but I know he will be happy without my puppy gsd and my three kids tormenting him. I have never given up on a dog before but sometimes you just have to think what will make them happy and sometimes it's not us.

DelsMum · #8 24-10-11, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claire_88

i would recommend one that specifies in gsds so they have a better understanding.

Defo. If someone who is used to puppy classes rocks up it will all end in tears. Theirs!

LindaM · #9 25-10-11, 07:00 AM

Hi first of all I want to say I can feel your pain and dilema and good for you for talking about it and thinking about her future and yours.

I am not an expert but I think you do not have full control of this dog - it sounds to me like she doesn't think you are fully in control in all situations and in all areas. What about your partner/husband if children are in your thoughts. I am wondering how he feels about your future children and how your GSD is around him.

I can hear you are exhausted by the situation and I think if you hope to have a family soon, she should go. I think that would be generous of you nor do I underestimate the difficulty of the decision or the pain you will feel on parting with her because you have put in so much work.

I think when you take on a puppy who already has bad habits plus you don't know their breeding you have quite a task on and you need expert advice and probably more important support.

The old couple, do they understand sheps. If they are very isolated she could have quite a good life or she could decide to attach herself to one of them and in time the other may run into difficulties with her.

Do you have any rescue societies specifically for GSDs who could find her a home. My gut feeling is she would be better with one very GSD savvy person - but they are only my thoughts.

I wish you lots of luck. I would say, do not feel guilty, you must protect your children and also think about letting her go to the best possible home but I am not an expert or a trainer.

Linda

Stuart · #10 25-10-11, 09:43 AM

If the trainer is willing to take Tilly away for a months training for the older couple, would he not do the same for you?, if you could afford it, there may be a solution there.

Some dogs will always do better in a more rural situation, often rescue dogs do have certain problems that are very deeply rooted in them and are hard to re train, its hard for us here to know for sure as none of us can see the problems first hand,.. but from what you say, the move for Tilly may well be the best way forward