My Dad brought home a female German Shepherd when my little sister was about 6 years old. That dog immediately adopted my sister as her own. I think she really thought she was her mother. My Mom almost got attacked the first time she was going to swat my sister on the rear in front of the dog for something she had done wrong. The dog jumped between my Mom and Sister and bared her teeth and the hair on her back was standing on end and she was growling and snarling! That could have been a bad scene if my Mom hadn't quit and backed away very slowly. From then on she made sure my Sister was in the house alone before she scolded her for anything. You couldn't even walk beside my sister without her dog forcing her way in between you and her. It'd drive her crazy for 2 people to walk beside her, one on each side. On another occasion my Grandpa, a deaf man, was pushing my sister in a swing. She started squealing and my Grandpa couldn't hear the warning the dog was giving him and she lite in on his rear end and commenced chewing him up. He thought she was going to kill him. I don't think she would have killed him but I think she gave him a good warning to not touch her kid again.

My Mother in law gave us a Australian Shepherd who was ever bit as protective of my oldest son as my little sister's German Shepherd was of her. Man was that ever a smart dog. We sure did miss him when he died.

Smitty

Smitty,
While I can certainly appreciate a protective dog (I have 2) any dog around here that ever bit a family member would be shot that very day.
Nothing personal, your story just touched a nerve.
Dan

quote:

Originally posted by Mustang51:
Unbeknownst to me, the officer and my wife have discussed ways to break me down and accept one of the pups.

You don't say if your wife will be home with the dog...if not don't get the dog(I know this will not be popular).

Training, obedience and otherwise begins at birth. If the mother is good and the breeder does their part then when/if you get the puppy...you take over. As mentioned in other posts this takes much time and consistency if the pup will be home alone if will not get the time and training it requires. Especially the housebreaking and becoming a good citizen.

If you can get the time to train the puppy right from the start...as outlined in the books by the Monks of New Skete...then comes the next hurdle...the yard, and leaving the puppy.

I don't have much regard for the e-fence...a neighbor has one and two golden retreivers and they rome at will. Even if you get your dog to stay within the yard...there are still other dangers/liabilities.

A possible solution could be a "doggy door" that would lead to a chainlink dog run...6' sides and thirty-forty feet long, with a top for shade off a garage or utility room. This would be for occasional use not everyday.

My advise is, if your wife will be home, take resposiblity for the puppy and your son, and go to classes and read the books then get the puppy. If not don't get the puppy.

"If there are no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they went." Will Rogers(I think) said this or something like it to point out how great living with a dog can be...what he does say is it can also be hell living with one that is not well trained and a good citizen. It doesn't happen because of breeding(in spite of maybe) but because of responsible, caring and knowlegdeable owners

Nell on the left passed soon after this picture was taken. I had her for twelve wonderful years, she was an AKC Master Hunter and an even better companion. Doc on the left is ten and I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat thinking of him passing...they are with us for such a short time and give love unconditionally..they deserve the best we can give them. Best to you and your family, Preston

quote:

Originally posted by longarm:
Smitty,
While I can certainly appreciate a protective dog (I have 2) any dog around here that ever bit a family member would be shot that very day.
Nothing personal, your story just touched a nerve.
Dan

Fair enough. Nothing personal taken.
I guess we're just the opposite. We liked the idea that the dog would protect my sister no matter who she had to bite to do it. You hear of family members abusing kids all the time and nobody thinks anyone like that is in their own family. Well they are! Rich or poor, makes no difference, there's nuts in most every family some where but as long as that dog was with my sister there was nobody going to bother her you could rest assured.

Now on the other hand my son's Australian Shepherd was just the opposite he'd go after anyone except a family member to protect my son. Which was just fine because my son was old enough to protect himself from most people anyway.

Smitty

quote:

any dog around here that ever bit a family member would be shot that very day.

Why shoot it? It'd be alot easier, not to mention humane, to teach it not to bite the family member. Geeeeez.

I love German Sheppards. I've had a few though the years, and I've worked in close proximity to K-9 handlers through the decades.

They are undoubtedly the most intelligent dog out there. Very smart dogs, and always thinking - whih is not necessarily a good thing.

Females are best for families with kids. Never saw or heard of a probllem with female Sheppards around kids of any age. They instintively adopt the kids and are very protective of them.

Male Sheppards ... well, they can often be loners and don't always accept kids. The males will always try to assert themselves, so consistent attention, training and discipline is very important with the males. The males are also fiercely loyal and will fight to the death for its family - no questions asked, no 2nd thoughts, no wimping out.

Great, great dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by 03Std:

Females are best for families with kids. Never saw or heard of a probllem with female Sheppards around kids of any age. They instintively adopt the kids and are very protective of them.

Posted this photo before but it speaks volumes of my late female (100 lbs even) and my grandson. No gentler touch can be found than her accepting Cherrios from him.



The newest one:

quote:

Fair enough. Nothing personal taken.
I guess we're just the opposite. We liked the idea that the dog would protect my sister no matter who she had to bite to do it. You hear of family members abusing kids all the time and nobody thinks anyone like that is in their own family. Well they are! Rich or poor, makes no difference, there's nuts in most every family some where but as long as that dog was with my sister there was nobody going to bother her you could rest assured.

Smitty,
I never thought of that. Good point. I learn something every day here.


"Why shoot it? It'd be alot easier, not to mention humane, to teach it not to bite the family member. Geeeeez."

TNDixieGirl,
I have an 80 year old mother that visits often. She's frail. I'll do everything necessary to insure that her last days do not include having to recover from a dog bite and then watch me attempt to "teach the dog" not to bite her again.
You're welcome to run your family any way you choose.

Interesting thoughts and comments so far!

I will say that the female sheps are incredibly protective of small/younger kids. They were when my kids were younger.

My oldest son now has Molly, an 8-to-9-year-old combo shepherd, Doberman, mebbe boxer and curbstone setter mix. About 70 pounds of muscular dog.

Molly loves the kids and the kids love Molly. Trust me, when little guys, aged 6 and 3, get tired and put their little heads on Molly's flanks and she curls around them, you don't want to move preciptously without talking her down first. And at bedtime she then walks to their bedroom and settles in to stand watch.

Incredible creature. I am convinced she will have a place in Heaven, waiting for her family...

Bill

We got our Australian Cattledog when I retired. Female, 6 months old from a rescue organization. We took her to obedience training at the local humane society, then to intermediate training. She is now 3 1/2 years old. Very well socialized with people and thinks everyone comes to see her and then barks. Great. She is now learning to settle down after the initial "greeting".

Our vet advised against Nylabone as too tough and could break a tooth. We use Kong toys and they are durable. Everything else lasts a couple of hours.

She loves to herd things (cat, people, trucks with trailers) so we keep her in a fenced in area or on a leash.

Good luck and enjoy!

I had a sliver and black a long time ago, they are a great pet. The first thing after it get's six month's old is to take it, you and your child to school. The best thing you can ever do. When they are trainned, they are almost like another kid, but they mine better.Plus you will have to put it up if you want to bust the kids butt, unless you want to lose weight.