Well excuse me sagelfin, I didn't realize I could not post my opinion without your permission.
I didn't say anything like that. I critiqued your statements. Anyone is more than welcome to do that to mine.
I have had many many GSD and some have been aloof. I have trained for S & R, obedience, tracking and police work.
Which is why I am shocked that you do not understand finding reasons for behavior is not the same as excusing behavior. That some dogs have genetic flaws in temperament and merely "laying the law down" does not work with all dogs.
What is wrong with having a GSD that actually likes people. If that makes her a Golden retriever in a GSD body, then so be it, I at least do not have to worry about a biting dog, nor have any of my GSD's bitten anyone.
I did not say that I said this -
Your dog isn't aloof. You have a golden retriever in a GSD body so I don't think you have any place to judge others with "problem" dogs. If that is how you expect all GSDs to greet a stranger then good luck finding correctly bred GSDs to greet all strangers so happily.- meaning if you expect all GSDs to greet the same way then good luck because the breed standard calls for aloofness not happy tail wagging kissing greetings.
If that makes my post disappointing, then whatever.
What makes your post most disappointing is this.. For every dog that has severe temperament issues and is a biter, there are ten more waiting for a home without the liability of owning a biter. Suggesting that people opt for a dog free of their problem dog (either by rehome or euthanizing). There are also dogs with health issues from easily manageable to dogs needing constant care which might cramp your style. I'm sure for every one of those there are also 10 healthy dogs in shelters needing homes. So basically I am disagreeing that because a dog is "difficult" or has a "problem" it is okay to get rid of them by some means because other dogs that are fine need a home.
I SAID what I like and what I have: a dog, a GSD that enjoys being an active part of my life, that goes and does things that I do, that greets everyone with a happy wag, this is what I WANT. If others don't choose to have that kind of temperament or that type of attitude, then can do what they want and have the dog that they want.
Others do not always choose to have a dog with temperament (health also but lets stay somewhat on topic) what happens more often is a dog you love and is part of your family developes issues or issues progress. For some people (the good ones ) giving up the dog because it is "difficult" is not an option.
I did not say put the dog down, I said sometimes you have to make a decision based on the reality of the dogs temperament for safety of family and the public.
You are right you did not actually say "euthanize" or any words that mean put the dog down. Anyone reading your post would still think you meant put it down or rehome it..rehome not being likely though.
If the OP is happy with the type of dog she rescued, then good for her. Good that she wants to continue working and loving this dog.
Actually your post started off complaining that it is a shame that when dogs display this behavior people start figuring out what is causing it instead of just telling the dog how it is going to be no ifs ands or buts. ( I paraphrased that)
But, that does not mean some people want a happy dog that actually enjoys being happy.
NOT ONCE did I tell anyone how to train their dog, I said how mine is trained, how all of mine have been trained.
And I pointed out that your methods do not work for dogs with genetic temperament flaws.
I have never had to beat, hit or pull my dogs off of other dogs or humans. I have never had to worry about them lunging at children. I have brought up ALL my dogs, of all different breeds to just accept life as it comes to them, with accepting that they learn to deal with different scenerios as they happen.
You have had stable dogs capable of doing so. You seem to not realize not all dogs are capable of this. It is not a training issue. It is clear from your posts you would not keep a dog like this.
GSD get a bad rap, and with so many with an attitude of biting it just makes it worse.Most likely the dog was given to rescue for biting, but the rescue was not told of that problem. Not many people of any breed will give a dog up and say its because they bite, since most, if any, rescues won't take them.
I agree
I said if the owner wants to deal with never allowing the dog a chance to have a normal life since it can't meet strangers, can't meet people in the house, that is her choice and her liabiltiy.
Who is saying that this dog can never be fixed or improved? No one even knows why the dog is acting this way. Dogs do not need to meet strangers to be happy.
Working at the jobs I work at, I have been bitten multiple times by supposed family dogs that "go off" because a door closed, or a person walked by it, or anything a well adjusted dog would accept. Its not fun to be bitten badly enough to have stitches, but it is what happens.
And shame on the owners for not having their dog under control. They should be working on improving their dog's behavior.
So,sagelfin, sorry my post was so disappointing to you. " I talk about personal experience when I post, whether about health issues or training or whatever. If my experience in dogs for over 45 years is not good enough to post on this forum, then guess what? You can just be "disappointed" in my knowledgeable.
I think you have a lot to offer with your 45yrs of experience in dogs. I do not think you should comment on behavior problems when it seems you have no experience with them. If you choose not to deal with dogs with problems then that is your choice but do not talk about what a shame it is for people to work on improving or managing their dogs problems(it is not as simple as saying this is how its gonig to be dog). It is a bit of a slap in the face to people with dogs who have temperament flaws and spend hours upon hours training, socializing, reading, working, classes, etc.. to help the dog instead of getting rid of it and getting a better dog from the shelter