Thoughts on the Aggression forum

[onyx'girl]

I'd rather view 10 opinions/experiences than 1 behaviorists viewpoint.
Experience with certain issues will help in problem solving more than someone that may speculate on how to handle an issue that they have never dealt with.
My first GSD was a dream to have. Never a problem so my learning *behavior issue problems* from him was nil. He was a great family companion and missed dearly.
My 2nd one however~ made me step up as a handler/owner to manage her issues.
If I went with the one behaviorist that was recommended to me, she would have ended up euth'd or at a shelter without my dedication to her aggression/ management. Maturity mellowed her big-time, so she would have been wasted early on if she was in a place that wasn't dedicated to helping her-or was intimidated by her actions.
This site, with several heads put together, helped me to manage her quirky stages and deal with her on my own. This was before the board changed to new ownership... the members are still actively helpful with health and behavioral tips on another board and I value their knowledge and forever am grateful to their tips and advice.
If my problem dog would have been as easy as the first one, I don't know if I would have ever learned what I have. I am grateful for her quirks/issues, but surely wish she would be like that first one so we could do more to fulfill her potential.
I can help others with my experience now, but don't push anything on anyone, just share my experiences~nothing more. I see nothing harmful in that, and am thankful for what I learned from the aggression threads when I needed help.

[Twyla]

Interesting this person has not responded to the first and only post they made on here.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Twyla

Interesting this person has not responded to the first and only post they made on here.

troll

[Germanshepherdlova]

Best to ignore people like this. Coming onto a forum-not greeting properly and putting their nose up and delivering a condescending message and then not even coming back to comment.

[Rexy]

Originally Posted by gsdrodman

Just some advice. I've been a lurker here a while and wanted to say something, with regards to the Aggression forum. I see a lot of posts here about people already assuming what's wrong with their dog. (fear aggression, dog aggression, resource guarding). I also see a lot of responses to these posts.

Let me stress that I hope a behaviorist has made this diagnosis and not yourself, a Petsmart trainer or some wacko on the street. In order to diagnose human psychological issues, one is required to have formal training and experience (and credentials). What makes people think it would be any different for our K9 friends? Just because they are dogs, does not mean things are plain, simple and obvious.

Any good behaviorist will also tell you, there is no way a diagnosis can be made online. Even if you describe something over the phone, there is no way to really diagnose it, without the behaviorist being onsite. Believe me, they can see a million things, the untrained eye cannot. And just because you had a similar sounding issue to another poster, does not mean you have enough knowledge to address their issue. It is a nice thought, but can do more harm than good.

If you are having an issue with your dog that is preventing you from performing wanted activities together, then consult a professional behaviorist with the proper experience and credentials. Speak to past clients of his and do your research.

Once you open your eyes, it's amazing the BS you can see. I don't believe anyone on this forum has the credentials or experience to post some of the things I have been reading. And if they did, they certainly would only tell you to consult a professional and to get off of the message board.

Animal behaviourists would be the last people I would recommend assess GSD aggression issues, most where I live down under are idiots. A good K9 or Schutzhund trainer have seen all the typical traits of good dogs and bad and understand the breed well. Behaviourists here are not required hold any formal qualifications either, anyone can claim to be one, good luck??.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Hope the OP (GSDRodman) comes back to the forum to comment on this thread he started. I think there's alot of good info.. (but what do I know )