Reality check...

[Fodder]

okay so its always mentioned in the gsd standard that the dog should be bold, fearless, confident, even temperament, strong solid nerves, etc...

but in our real, day to day life, what does this mean?

i just got finished vacuuming and as my dog ran up the stairs away from it, this topic crossed my mind. i mean, he isnt cowering in a corner peeing on himself, but its clear he doesnt like it. my female came upstairs too, but was much more casual.

[Elmo's Mom]

Elmo meets the standard. Who knew?! I left the vacuum on the landing in the stairs last month because I got tired. I guess because we left the stair lights on, there was a huge shadow of the vacuum on the wall. Fearless Elmo confidently went up the stairs displaying his solid nerves! He barked at the vacuum for a while. Then, he showed his calm nature/even temperament when he realized the vacuum was no longer a threat.

[Catu]

I confess I didn't use to like GSDs because I found them to be too skittish for my taste. That until I met working lines.

Diabla HATES the hair drier, but I mean hate, not fear. The day I tried to use one on her she lunged at her barking and bit and pawed it several times before I turned it off for her safety. It was not a game, it was not prey drive, she really wanted that thing dead.

[scannergirl]

I find Lucy is not afraid of ANYTHING. Maybe it is those working lines.
If something is different she notices it, pauses for a moment, and investigates. Loud noises or activity does not bother her. She does bark at the vacuum, but to me it seems like play as there is no avoidance nor getting quiet after a while-she goes after it like prey.....almost as much fun as chasing squirrels!

[EastGSD]

I personally like dog with courage not "fearlessness." To me a fearless dog is a liability in what it will attempt to involve itself in. Fear is a healthy emotional response and a natural one, it is how fear is handled that is important. A couragous dog knows the fear and feels it but chooses to take it on, a fearless dog gives no thought whatsoever and may put itself at risk.

Cherri

[Catu]

I understand what you mean... I once had a ferret who was absolutely fearless. He couldn't have a minute with unattended freedom or he could find ten ways to kill himself.

[RubyTuesday]

Sam spent her 1st 8yrs in the country. She moved into my hectic urban neighborhood as though born to it. She's unperturbed by gunfire, fights, sirens, screaming, rowdy children, gen'l mayhem & chaos. She's calm, aloof but not hostile, with everyone she meets. From what I've seen, she lacks the suspicion necessary for guarding behavior but I prefer it that way. I've seen too many dogs get themselves in trouble with overly protective behavior. She's equally courteous & unflappable with other dogs, small or large, & other pets whether cats or birds.

Djibouti is her grandson & appears to be (a*hem)less dignified(under 5mos old, he's still a baby), but her equal in equanimity, with a pleasant nature that's kindly disposed towards people, other dogs, both larger & smaller, as well as cats & birds. Despite his youth he's especially considerate & gentle with small children!

They couldn't be better, IMO, even if I'd been able to special order their temperaments & personalities.

[SunCzarina]

Originally Posted By: LicanAntai It was not a game, it was not prey drive, she really wanted that thing dead.

That's Morgan with the vacuum. She was 5 years old before I could convince her not to attack the vacuum. She killed 3 while they were minding they're own business sitting in the basement - UNPLUGGED!

Her new thing is the icecream maker. I've used it 3 times and it makes a god awful noise. Morgan comes running in like it's some squirrel that must be chased away from the bird feeder. Then she sees my son Jimmy, who she adores, is fascinated with watching the drum spin.

She must not want to upset Jimmy so she begs to go outside. Did I mention this is the dog who's killed 3 skunks who had the nerve to spray her and not run?

[Fodder]

sigh, it gets worse. i brought home a seashell this evening, Tilden sniffed it... pawed it causing it to fall to the floor... sniffed it again then jumped away. i picked it up and he stretched his neck about 10 feet just to sniff it again. a german shepherd afraid of a seashell! boy oh boy, whats next?

seeing as tho he's a rescue and had many hesitations when i first got him, i'll continue to write if off as him just not getting out much. i expose him to everything possible (trucks, sirens, loud noises, wheelchairs, screaming, lawnmowers, etc) and usually once he smells it (or if gia goes to it first) then he's okay.

do you guys think its a rescue thing or maybe a puppy thing?

i hope he grows into himself - he's gonna have to be the example for all the new pups in the next 12yrs.

[mychance]

it could be worse . . .

My dearest friend has an oversize coated male with a very dark face. Nick is a major love bug, but has a really intimidating appearance. He looks like he could handle anything that came his way and had always handled new experiences with calm curiosity.

Shortly after she adopted him (Nick was found at about a year old roaming the streets of Brooklyn) my friend stopped for donuts one morning. Thinking it would be a treat, she tossed a donut hole over to Nick. He hit the ground like an enemy missile was headed his way and steadfastly refused to eat it even after she held one for him to sniff.