Shakti

My GSD does not have issues He just didnt react in a particular situation the way that I had *assumed* he would!!! My Cocker Spaniel has ONE issue with being fearful of new dogs which I sought help and advice with. I have not made any decision at all about getting another dog (now or in the future) and was just looking for some information.

Thanks KitKat - this is the kind of post that helps me learn more about the dog breeds and also to understand nature vs nature as it relates to so-called instinctual behaviour

This has gotten more than a little off-topic from my original post. Just to clarify - As I stated in my first post I do NOT want my GSD protection trained. I was not RELYING on my pet dog (who is Obedience trained AND NOT trained for personal protection) to protect me! I asked the knowledgeable members of this community to suggest breeds of dogs that they felt could be protective but not aggressive such as Maremmas who I believe protect their flock but do not initiate attacks. The fact that my Cocker Spaniel has issues with strange dogs approaching her is totally irrelevant. I am hoping that Steve answers the question posted in this thread about Maremmas and am very grateful to Lilli who actually answered my original question with the Central Asian. So leaving aside questions of whether or not I was *ridiculous* thanks Nekhebet for that! does anyone else have any knowledge of dog breeds they would consider to be protective and not aggressive?? Also thanks to those who posted saying that they have owned dogs (both purebred and crossbred) who did display a protective instinct - I did feel that this was a probable response in my GSD and I was mistaken but it DOES happen!

Thanks everyone. no I am not rehoming my boy - he is very loved and a great dog. I am not sure about purchasing another dog or not - really just wanted some informed opinions as to what might be good. My dog is from working lines but was assessed by the Police Force three years ago and although he flew through the early assessment process was returned with the comment *Too nice of a dog* which I think is a very polite way of saying *What a wuss!* Perhaps if I can work with a trainer who can teach him the *happy bark* as Cosmolo suggested - that would be useful - I am sure that if he had stood his ground or looked excited even coupled with a bark that this guy would have backed off. It was a really upsetting experience and thank you all for your advice. ETA Steve - I had originally thought about a Maremma but wasn't sure if one would be happy as an inside dog? I am at home full-time so leaving it alone wouldn't be an issue.

Hi everyone, I live in a suburban area although we walk to the river and through parks every day so my GSD has lots and lots of exercise (both on and off-leash) I have had two very bad incidents in the past and that was a factor in choosing a GSD as my breed. have always felt safe with my GSD as I believed that most people would choose not to attach someone with a scarey looking dog. He also has a huge, deep bark that would deter most (if not all) would be burglars. Anyway, last week there was an incident when a mentally disturbed man attacked me verbally and then attempted to punch me. I ducked to avoid hima nd let go of my GSD's leash. My 4 year old GSD promply bolted and left me to try and avoid this guy. I love my dog as he is and do NOT want him attack-trained etc BUT I did feel that a natural protective instinct would kick in if he believed I was in actual danger. Are there any breeds of dogs that are naturally protective but not aggressive eg like a Maremma? I have owned a Maremma before andc loved that I wasn't afraid theyw ould attack someone but that they would do what it took to protect me. Unfortunately living in such a suburban area as I do I doubt that a Maremma would be happy there. Any other suggestions please?

I have always enjoyed reading your posts because they get me thinking about the *Why?* for the things I do. Occasionally I have tried methods you have suggested - other times I have stuck with my own but at least I have always learnt something from your posts and your discussions. So from one DOLer at least - no apology needed!

How long have you had Digi for? Has he ever exhibited any warning behaviour towards youyr son? Has he been aggressive before to anyone?

When I started doing clicker training I was very enthgusiastic and probably a bit evangalecal about it! I had a very very smart dog with a high prey drive who was eager to learn and I was all set. (or so I thought1) One day I had an AHA moment and it was to do with me and not him. I realised that I was actually a little hazy on what EXACT PRECISE behaviour I wanted. I was sending slightly mixed signals in when I reawrded and for what and he was getting very confused which translated into his doing things *sloppilly* and me getting very frustrated. I realised then that no matter what tool you use (clickers, e-collars, pinch collars, luring) they are ALL only as good or as useful as the person using them!

Yes Kavik - you are right and I mis-spoke. I meant that doing the above-mentioned exercises with my well-trained dog tires him out as he is having to think and combines mental exercise with physical exercise. The OP may need to play with weave poles or a very low jump of some description that will be safe for her dog and that can still help tire him out and increase their bond.

Hi Clarel, I think doing something fun with him in your own backyard is a great idea - good on you for thinking of teh agility equipment! It can definiteoly be made or even bought quite cheaply. You are not wanting to do Agility in competition so you really just want ghim to have fun and that will increase the bond between the two of you as well! I find that dong Agility also really tires my dog out because he is having to think what to do and how to do it eg the see-saw etc. as well as running, climbing, balancing, jumping, sitting and waiting! It is definitely easier to do with a dog that at least comes when you call him and sits and waits etc but heck, I think anything you do now is going to make owning him more fun and bring more enjoymentinto his life so go for it! I am not a trainer but I do have a relatively well-trained dog and would be happy to meet up some time if you like and just see what we can do with our dogs together!

Re the explosives - man now that would be an AVERSIVE!!!!

any news??

Have done so and forwarded the petition but can I suggest that this should be in the General forum as it really should be of concern to ALL dog lovers???

A friend and I were discussing whether or not it would be possible to train a dog to lie so I thought i would post it here in the hopes of getting some knowledgeable opinions. What we mean by lying is - can you train a friendly, relaxed, well-balanced dog to growl at someone on commeand WITHOUT altering its emotion ie it is still placid and relaxed but *looks* as though it is threatening? Conversely, can you train a dog which is ill at ease (NOT aggressive) to wag its tail on command and appear friendly when its mood is actually fearful or shy or uneasy?

My boy is from strong working lines - do you think that has something to do with it? It is definitely not a nip or a bite but it is a little scary at times Is there a way to train him to stop or is it just a *quirk* which will not escalate beyond what it is?

This is so interesting and I will be really interested to read the replies as Ben my 4yo Gsd does this as well. Not so much when being patted but when he is smooching and cuddling licking my neck etc and then he will *clack* towards my face. It is really disconcerting but you are right in that it does not appear at all aggressive or as though he means to connect - but still the *clack* of a fully-grown GSD is not something you want to hear cms from your nose!!

I started leaving him for 5 second iincrements at a time - returning to him, walking around him and then after a few more minutes of standing still beside him releasing him. He is fine up until about 10 seconds and then he starts with the whingeing, If I am in sight he will Stay solidly for up to 5 minutes.

Hi everyone - please offer any and all suggestions - I am out of ideas My gorgeous 4 year old male GSD is loving having more time with me and we go to dog training every week as well as doing long daily walks together, some agility and Obedience etc. He is wonderful with most Stays including the Stand but he is absolutely miserable on a Stay if I move out of sight. He will hold it for maybe 1-2 minutes but then start crying and yelping and within another minute or so will break to run and find me. If he is tied in place he will Stay for maybe 2 minutes but when I return to him, he cries and jumps at me and just wont/cant listen to any commands until he is calmer. I don't make a fuss of him when I return to him and try to keep the time I am away from him short so he doesn't start to get distressed but we are just not making progress. I have been trying to increase how long he can manage without being able to see me for almost a year now :D

Just to answer an earlier question - at the beginning of every episode you can see Cesar running/walking with his own pack and they are all off-leash and at times they run in front of him at times. The difference between Cesar's own pack and the *problem* dogs he works with during the show are that his own dogs are well-balanced and in a calm-submissive state to him so he does not need to assert his authority over them during the free walk part of their walk. With the dogs he is rehabilitating they have not accepted him as dominant to them and he cannot allow them any freedom until they learn to abide by *rules, boundaries and limitations*. Walking a dog who is less interested in me than in their environment would be a bit like going for a romantic walk along the beach with my partner and having him say *Yahoo - the beach! Catch you back at the car in 60 minutes!* My dogs get a LOT of free running on our daily walks but at all times they will *down* or *sit*or *heel* if I tell them too and that is WHY they get so much freedom to sniff and play and run.

Thanks for the fast and accurate reply Erny!!

Is the use of remote e-collars legal in Victoria?

Thanks for that guys! I can now think it through!!

Thanks - much to think about!!

what these are actually called and where I could purchase one? They are the extension arm things that attach to your bike so your dog can run safely alongside.

We are moving inter-state and will be staying with relatives so I am concerned about how much time and energy we will have for him there. He currently lives with three other dogs and is very non dog aggressive. If we can find him a home where he will be able to work SAR or agility or flyball etc then I know he will be happy! If not, he can just tough it out with us! LOL