Shepherd, The - DivX Version (Normal Quality), iPod/iPhone Version
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German shepherd has started to become afraid of strangers how do i fix it?
My new german shepherd i got about 2 weeks ago has just turned 6 months old. He is of good breed his father is a k9 unit from czlevakia (please ascuse spelling) and he started out as the confident, curious and protective GSD people look for. But recenlty he has been wary of strangers and after i greet them backs away when they attempt to pet him and wont come when they stand next to me.
Is there any socializing techniques to solve this problem? or is it too late?
4-6 months is when the happy-go-lucky stage gives way to adolescence, when a pup may begin to view the world with more suspicion . Things as simple as a trash bin on the street, which may have had no effect before, are suddenly cause for suspicion and careful approach. This can be the make-or-break period for some dogs with an ‘edge’, to see which way the temperament will go.
Contrary to other remarks here, it’s genetic & has nothing to do with prior socialization/rearing mistakes (neglect/abuse aside). Particularly with working lines (and Czech dogs are well known for being ‘civil’ or ’sharp’), you’re dealing with a higher level of genetic suspicion and aggression than most show or ‘pet’ lines. Both are desired traits in working dogs, . HOWEVER they must be accompanied by strong , stable nerves/social confidence. Without it, suspicion and aggression become a liability rather than an asset.
This is the dilemma when breeding dogs for protection work, as even the most solid, accomplished dogs can produce offspring that ‘fall short’. Pups that fall short in suspicion/ aggression can still make excellent, social companion/pet dogs. Those that fall short in nerve strength/confidence rarely do.
Yes, you can absolutely attempt more socialization at this time. Letting them have ’success’ with that bad old trash bin, to continue acclimating to environmental stimuli, strangers, dogs, etc, is still quite achievable. But it must be done from a ‘neutral’ perspective. Meaning, you should ask strangers to act as if your pup isn’t even there, totally ignoring him until HE initiates contact. It’s just as important to practice good obedience and read his cues in every situation. Never push a dog through an uncomfortable situation, it only makes him more fearful.
Realize that dogs such as this have limitations and shouldn’t be expected to be super stranger friendly/social. But many of them can be neutral and obedient.
It would be wise to have your breeder or a local trainer/schutzhund club help you assess his temperament and bring him along. If he started out as confident & curious, he should have enough balance to work with. A responsible breeder will not want you to keep a dog that may be truly unstable/dangerous, and will offer you a replacement.
I wish you the best of luck with your pup!
Becky | Oct 05, 2009
i hope this dog socialization link can help:
http://dogtime.com/socialization.html
Canine Friend | Oct 04, 2009
Pups go through two fear stages in their development.
The second one can start around the age of 6 months.
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/Develop mentalStages.html
I would take the dog to a trainer. Socialization is vitally important with German Shepherd and any bad experiences during this phase can have a lasting affect on future behavior.
I would also suggest checking out this forum. It is a wealth of knowledge from people very experienced with the breed.
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubb threads.php
Kaper | Oct 04, 2009
Why should we "ascuse" your spelling? - YahooAnswers provides a permanently-on spell-checker that places a red line under everything that doesn’t fit what is in its lexicion.
Also learn that a German shepherd is a person. My breed’s real name translates exactly as German Shepherd Dog - 3 words, so 3 capital letters and GSD for short, not "Gs".
The main socialising period ends as the 12th week ends, which is why pups SHOULD change homes at 7-9 weeks old. Provided the pup has had time (and reason!) to trust its owner, socialisation can extend through 16 weeks old.
I’m guessing that there is something wrong in the way you (as a household, not necessarily you personally - but it COULD be you yourself) are treating your new pet.
Properly bred-&-reared GSDs do NOT go through "fear periods". But from 13 through 16 weeks all except the best dogs go through a "need security period", and bitches from certain bloodlines become fearful at about 11 months old - decades ago I had one who decided that the plastic-rubbish-bags-on-poles placed in shopping areas were a menace to be avoided.
Focus on PRAISING-&-REWARDING everything good he does, and basically ignoring anything bad (Czech lines have a bad reputation for being touch insensitive, which means that he might not acknowledge light rubs - but he’s YOUR dog now and it is over to you to find out what he likes, what he dislikes). When walking him on-lead, forget about Heel - let him have the whole length of the leash so long as he is walking in the direction you want to go and there are no children or dogs or rubbish from which you need to haul him back to heel.
Dogs are NOT like a bike or car that you get the same response from on the first day as you do after 3 years of practise. When a dog obeys it is because it WANTS to obey, to get a reward - whether that be a physical reward you supply or the emotional self-reward of knowing that it is pleasing its pack-leader. So step one is to convince your dog that you ARE a trustworthy pack-leader.
Book yourself into a training club’s classes that start 2-4 weeks from now. Those extra weeks should be long enough for you to gain his trust & affection. In the class YOU will be coached to improve your use of "the voices", body language, balance & timing, rewards & reprimands. And at the same time the dog learns to pay attention regardless of what other dogs & people are doing.
Realise that you do NOT need your dog to like everyone (do YOU like EVERYone?), let alone to allow them to touch him (do YOU allow everyone to touch YOU?). But you DO need him to accept your opinion/authority as to whether people are allowed onto your property. And he won’t do that until he TRUSTS you. How long would it take YOU to trust your captors, if YOU had been kidnapped by strangers who, although they SEEM to like you & to care for you, are nevertheless your kidnappers?
To ask GSD questions, join some of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to aspects of living with GSDs. Each group’s Home page tells you which aspects they like to talk about, and how active they are.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_F riendly
"In GSDs" as of 1967
King Les The Lofty | Oct 05, 2009