Liesl warming up to kids

billsharp · 08-10-2011, 03:59 PM

Liesl has been a real joy--very affectionate, very smart and obedient, a little feisty (but that's ok) and is developing into a great dog. The biggest problem we've had, however, is human socialization. She was a rescue so we have no idea what she experienced before the age of 2 months. It appears that she wasn't abused and was dog-socialized, but she has been very skittish around strangers since we got her. I've been taking her out to walk shopping centers, nightclub areas around campus, Home Depot, elementary school, baseball fields, etc--wherever there are people. She is interested but alert and a little afraid when people approach her most days.

Today we had a new family move in down the street. Two kids aged 6 and 3 were out selling lemonade. I was home crating Liesl so I took her for a stroll over there to buy some very expensive lemonade. We were joined immediately by a mother and her 8 year old boy and the new kids' nanny.

After an initial dodge behind my back, during which I just conversed with the mom and her son, Liesl emerged and sniffed everyone there. The kids were great--very delighted to see a dog so close but a little intimidated by her. Liesl got comfortable quickly and began sniffing and trying to lick the kids, mouthing gently at their sock feet, and then rolling in the grass! I was shocked, but pleased! She got beaucoup praise for that. During the discussion I learned that the 8 year old had been bitten by a nasty untrained dog that lives next door to him, and he was little shy for that reason. I plan to talk to the mom some more to see if I can get him and Liesl together (supervised!). I think it would be good for both of them.

The moral of the story: Just when you are getting frustrated with trying to achieve an outcome with your dog, they turn around and let you know "hey, I have been paying attention!" That helps make you even more determined to keep on working with them.

codmaster · 08-10-2011, 04:01 PM

Great! Congrats to both of you!

Keep up the good work - nothing better than to see a big GSD with little kids!

PaddyD · 08-10-2011, 04:05 PM

"The moral of the story: Just when you are getting frustrated with trying to achieve an outcome with your dog, they turn around and let you know "hey, I have been paying attention!" That helps make you even more determined to keep on working with them."

Amen to that and hopes for more successes.

panzerghost · 08-18-2011, 02:07 PM

my pup is 15 weeks old and is the exact same way. I got him from a breeder and though he was one of the shyer pups he warmed up to me within a few hours of bringing him home. I take him everywhere aswell. Though he seems relaxed around people he jumps behind me when approached, after a few second **** sniff them and allow being pet mostly.

08-10-2011, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
billsharp Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Liesl warming up to kids Liesl has been a real joy--very affectionate, very smart and obedient, a little feisty (but that's ok) and is developing into a great dog. The biggest problem we've had, however, is human socialization. She was a rescue so we have no idea what she experienced before the age of 2 months. It appears that she wasn't abused and was dog-socialized, but she has been very skittish around strangers since we got her. I've been taking her out to walk shopping centers, nightclub areas around campus, Home Depot, elementary school, baseball fields, etc--wherever there are people. She is interested but alert and a little afraid when people approach her most days. Today we had a new family move in down the street. Two kids aged 6 and 3 were out selling lemonade. I was home crating Liesl so I took her for a stroll over there to buy some very expensive lemonade. We were joined immediately by a mother and her 8 year old boy and the new kids' nanny. After an initial dodge behind my back, during which I just conversed with the mom and her son, Liesl emerged and sniffed everyone there. The kids were great--very delighted to see a dog so close but a little intimidated by her. Liesl got comfortable quickly and began sniffing and trying to lick the kids, mouthing gently at their sock feet, and then rolling in the grass! I was shocked, but pleased! She got beaucoup praise for that. During the discussion I learned that the 8 year old had been bitten by a nasty untrained dog that lives next door to him, and he was little shy for that reason. I plan to talk to the mom some more to see if I can get him and Liesl together (supervised!). I think it would be good for both of them. The moral of the story: Just when you are getting frustrated with trying to achieve an outcome with your dog, they turn around and let you know "hey, I have been paying attention!" That helps make you even more determined to keep on working with them. __________________ Liesl, b. 1/1/11 Maxie, 1994-2009 King, 1963-1968

08-10-2011, 04:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
codmaster Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California, US Posts: 4,762	Great! Congrats to both of you! Keep up the good work - nothing better than to see a big GSD with little kids!

08-10-2011, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	"The moral of the story: Just when you are getting frustrated with trying to achieve an outcome with your dog, they turn around and let you know "hey, I have been paying attention!" That helps make you even more determined to keep on working with them." Amen to that and hopes for more successes.

08-18-2011, 02:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
panzerghost New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 11	my pup is 15 weeks old and is the exact same way. I got him from a breeder and though he was one of the shyer pups he warmed up to me within a few hours of bringing him home. I take him everywhere aswell. Though he seems relaxed around people he jumps behind me when approached, after a few second **** sniff them and allow being pet mostly.

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