A little curious..

KPenn5 · 09-01-2010, 01:45 PM

A while back, we had family out to our house, this being one of the few times our dog has been around small children. Now, when Abbie and I play, she'll be a little rougher with me. However, my cousin's two year old decided to play with her. Abbie laid down to play and was unbelievably gentle.

Is this something shepherds do not to intimidate kids or what?

Stosh · 09-01-2010, 01:49 PM

Uschi does that same thing to little dogs...she's extremely active and loves playing rough with other dogs, but she'll actually get on her belly and crawl over to them and entice them to play that way. When we first brought Stosh home she would get on her side on her bed and let him jump on her so he wouldn't be afraid. They're very sensitive and intuitive dogs. Good job Abbie, what a sweet girl!

Jax08 · 09-01-2010, 01:57 PM

Jax tones it down around little kids to. I always have her sit so she doesn't accidentally knock them over anyways but she will stretch her neck out and lick their face very gently. If she's standing, then she's very still while they are petting her.

shilorio · 09-01-2010, 01:58 PM

shilo knows to be gental with little maddy

its crazy, shes also protective of her

KZoppa · 09-01-2010, 05:07 PM

Zena is amazing with kids. One of my baby brothers was hanging on her a little too rough one of the times we were visiting my parents and my mom said Zena just gently turned, grabbed my brothers hand and carefully lifted his hand away from her. After that my mom was completely and totally sold on shepherds when she'd been afraid before. Course when i adopted Zena she was still adjusting and my dad came in on crutches and Zena lunged and charged but after Zena adjusted to new homes and surroundings she's been perfect! Absolutely the best shepherd i have had so far. Riley just lays there. He doesnt bother trying to get away. he just grumbles but closes his eyes and takes the "beating" the kids dish out. lol. Its horrible to be loved on! Shelby is only a year old so she's still learning not to barrel over the kids and she's getting better since we've had her. Shasta is 4 months old and is doing surprisingly well. Better than we expected from one so young. GSDs are naturally supposed to be fond of kids so it works out!

I should say that Zena never bit anyone except for my husband but that was after we'd brought her home and he'd only spent an hour with her before going fishing with his dad. heaven forbid someone come in when i was taking a nap though! barking, growling... she's a very large girl (not fat just well built and solid) and just the noise she can generate is enough to send people running for cover.

JudynRich · 09-01-2010, 05:12 PM

Mia adores children. She will do exactly what they ask (sit, doen, shake) and eagerly await their next command. Bella is not so sure, and she just backs off and barks at them!

KPenn5 · 09-01-2010, 06:24 PM

What really shocks me about Abbie is she will NOT rough house indoors. I've tried to wrestle with her and she just barks at me. However, get her outside and she loves to run around and wrestle all day long. All of these and the aboved mentioned behavior around kids sold both my wife and my mom on shepherds.

That's the suprising part, is my mom had also been afraid of GSD's because of the stigma that surrounds them. She's owned Collies all her life and now wants to get a GSD because of Abbie.

The only thing Abbie does not like is my uncle's Irish Setter, I have no idea why but she hates that dog.

KZoppa · 09-02-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPenn5

What really shocks me about Abbie is she will NOT rough house indoors. I've tried to wrestle with her and she just barks at me. However, get her outside and she loves to run around and wrestle all day long. All of these and the aboved mentioned behavior around kids sold both my wife and my mom on shepherds.

That's the suprising part, is my mom had also been afraid of GSD's because of the stigma that surrounds them. She's owned Collies all her life and now wants to get a GSD because of Abbie.

The only thing Abbie does not like is my uncle's Irish Setter, I have no idea why but she hates that dog.

You've actually just given me an idea as to why Shelby only barks when we're playing with Riley because its indoors. She'll nip and harass until it stops and then she's fine again but thats seriously the only time she barks.... weird.

Also, Zena hated Irish Setters too. I have heard its the red in their coats that triggers something or any number of other possible reasons vs. ignorant ones. Could even be the smell. I read somewhere that certain breeds scents are offensive to other breeds so that could have something to do with it too. Who knows. Maybe the setter doesnt move right?

09-01-2010, 01:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
KPenn5 New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 5	A little curious.. A while back, we had family out to our house, this being one of the few times our dog has been around small children. Now, when Abbie and I play, she'll be a little rougher with me. However, my cousin's two year old decided to play with her. Abbie laid down to play and was unbelievably gentle. Is this something shepherds do not to intimidate kids or what?

09-01-2010, 01:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
shilorio Master Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lynnwood Posts: 752	shilo knows to be gental with little maddy its crazy, shes also protective of her __________________ "my goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am" "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail.."

09-01-2010, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 7,603	Uschi does that same thing to little dogs...she's extremely active and loves playing rough with other dogs, but she'll actually get on her belly and crawl over to them and entice them to play that way. When we first brought Stosh home she would get on her side on her bed and let him jump on her so he wouldn't be afraid. They're very sensitive and intuitive dogs. Good job Abbie, what a sweet girl!

09-01-2010, 01:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 12,771	Jax tones it down around little kids to. I always have her sit so she doesn't accidentally knock them over anyways but she will stretch her neck out and lick their face very gently. If she's standing, then she's very still while they are petting her.

09-01-2010, 05:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 12,846	Zena is amazing with kids. One of my baby brothers was hanging on her a little too rough one of the times we were visiting my parents and my mom said Zena just gently turned, grabbed my brothers hand and carefully lifted his hand away from her. After that my mom was completely and totally sold on shepherds when she'd been afraid before. Course when i adopted Zena she was still adjusting and my dad came in on crutches and Zena lunged and charged but after Zena adjusted to new homes and surroundings she's been perfect! Absolutely the best shepherd i have had so far. Riley just lays there. He doesnt bother trying to get away. he just grumbles but closes his eyes and takes the "beating" the kids dish out. lol. Its horrible to be loved on! Shelby is only a year old so she's still learning not to barrel over the kids and she's getting better since we've had her. Shasta is 4 months old and is doing surprisingly well. Better than we expected from one so young. GSDs are naturally supposed to be fond of kids so it works out! I should say that Zena never bit anyone except for my husband but that was after we'd brought her home and he'd only spent an hour with her before going fishing with his dad. heaven forbid someone come in when i was taking a nap though! barking, growling... she's a very large girl (not fat just well built and solid) and just the noise she can generate is enough to send people running for cover.

09-01-2010, 05:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
JudynRich Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Los Angeles Area Posts: 537	Mia adores children. She will do exactly what they ask (sit, doen, shake) and eagerly await their next command. Bella is not so sure, and she just backs off and barks at them!

09-01-2010, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
KPenn5 New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 5	What really shocks me about Abbie is she will NOT rough house indoors. I've tried to wrestle with her and she just barks at me. However, get her outside and she loves to run around and wrestle all day long. All of these and the aboved mentioned behavior around kids sold both my wife and my mom on shepherds. That's the suprising part, is my mom had also been afraid of GSD's because of the stigma that surrounds them. She's owned Collies all her life and now wants to get a GSD because of Abbie. The only thing Abbie does not like is my uncle's Irish Setter, I have no idea why but she hates that dog.

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