What temperment will he have?

[adas]

Aloha, this is the first time I have adopted a juvenile ...mostly I rescue older dogs. He is a handsome 9 month male, just neutered. So since I have no experience with teenagers, what type of temperment will he have when he grows up?
Right now he is shy and leary of anything new, (just got him so most of this shyness is due to that). He cowers away from new people and also me if I make any sudden moves. He is very inquisitive of any noise, such as phone ringing, plane flying over head, voice on the TV, etc.
Since we will have a velcro 24-7 relationship, I am hoping he will turn into a peaceful dog during the day and become alert and protective of me and his area at night.

Am I looking at having to train a pussycat, or is 9 months still young to predict behavior, or after he bonds with me, will he naturally protect? (by protect, I do not mean, snarling teeth when a person comes to the gate, but also I would not want him to wag his tail and roll for a tummy rub either when a stranger comes to the gate)

thanks
Francis

[amaris]

no idea....but i'm sure one of the more experienced members will come along soon and comment

i just had to stop by and say he looks gorgeous

[Emoore]

You have a nervous dog and he will probably always be a bit shy. It's important to give him positive experiences with people so that you won't have a shy, nervy fearful dog. If he is shy or fearful of someone, don't allow them to force him into letting them pet him. Have the person ignore him and let the dog come to them, then they can reward his curiosity with praise and light petting on the chin and chest area.

The good thing about nervous dogs (I have one) is that they are incredibly alert and watchful. My nervous dog will bark loudly and sound incredibly viscous when he hears a strange noise or when a strange person comes on the property. However, don't expect him to lay down his life to defend your house-- he probably won't. You've got a good visual deterrent and a great watch dog/alarm system.

The other thing I can tell you is to watch his interactions around kids. Kids are quick and unpredictable and they make high-pitched startling noises. When a little kid figures out that the big, scary dog isn't so scary and actually avoids them, they often like to chase the dog with their hands out, making loud noises. This is a recipe for a bite.

[adas]

Originally Posted by Emoore

You have a nervous dog and he will probably always be a bit shy. It's important to give him positive experiences with people so that you won't have a shy, nervy fearful dog. If he is shy or fearful of someone, don't allow them to force him into letting them pet him. Have the person ignore him and let the dog come to them, then they can reward his curiosity with praise and light petting on the chin and chest area.

The good thing about nervous dogs (I have one) is that they are incredibly alert and watchful. My nervous dog will bark loudly and sound incredibly viscous when he hears a strange noise or when a strange person comes on the property. However, don't expect him to lay down his life to defend your house-- he probably won't. You've got a good visual deterrent and a great watch dog/alarm system.

The other thing I can tell you is to watch his interactions around kids. Kids are quick and unpredictable and they make high-pitched startling noises. When a little kid figures out that the big, scary dog isn't so scary and actually avoids them, they often like to chase the dog with their hands out, making loud noises. This is a recipe for a bite.

Thanks E. That is how I am reading it too! He is very alert and sudden moves concern him and his reactions me. The visual deterrent of just a GSD and adding the look he gives while he is thinking it over, will be a great deterrent.
After he adjusts to me, how much development/character will change to maturing since he is just 9 months old?

thanks

[adas]

The deterrent for me is the key. I have had questionable people come up to me (in a wheelchair) and say "he wouldn't bite will he". My stock answer is "not unless I tell him to". With my late peaceful Rasa, this sometimes was hard to pull off with a straight face and I had to leave quickly before the questionable person became bolder.

One asside: Yesterday when I got Nimai. (he flew in from another island), he was nervious to come out of his kennel. I let him sniff me and gently encouraged him to come out on his terms. Then I offered him some water, and he took a quick lick, then after a lot of petting, he sniffed me THOROUGHLY for 2-3 minutes and went back and drank all the water and started to lick my hand. I guess I passed the test.

I do the positive training method and it seems I am getting a lot of good results SO far, by letting him make the decision to come to me. His nervousness around me is fading rapidly.

Francis

[Jack's Dad]

I am a little puzzled. If you are in a wheelchair then I would think you would want a dog with strong nerves. They are not only a deterent but are less likely to react based on fear or nervousness. Did you pick this dog for a particular reason or were there other circumstances to how you aquired him?

I'm not against your pup but wondering about the situation.

[adas]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

I am a little puzzled. If you are in a wheelchair then I would think you would want a dog with strong nerves. They are not only a deterent but are less likely to react based on fear or nervousness. Did you pick this dog for a particular reason or were there other circumstances to how you aquired him?

I'm not against your pup but wondering about the situation.

Actually I am not so concerned about him being nervous, as even only after the first day, he is rapidly trusting me more and more. Only after 2 hours since I picked him up yesterday, we went on a walk and although he freaked out at a lot of things, he obeyed me when I established the leadership. I think this is a good situation and I think people will think twice when they see him. My situation is that I see the public, contractors, military all day and I keep Nimai a bit aloof.
Maybe I am wrong, but I think with a bit maturity, and bonding he will be great.
But I really respect experienced opinions.
The impression I want to leave for people at my business is a little bit like this sign.....

Francis

[gsdsar]

Sounds like you have the making of a wonderful friend. My advice to you would be to expose him to as many situations as possible and keep it positive and rewarding. He is still young so you have some time, and the more he sees the world and people the better you will be in the long run. GSDs need to know what is normal and correct so they can make the "right" choices as they get older. A dog with no experience may end up seeing everything as either a threat or a very scary thing. And you truthfully want neither. It is always best to have a dog that knows the difference between normal non threatening thing and the opposite.

Good Luck

[lhczth]

Wow, hi Sam. Haven't seen you on the board in ages.

[adas]

Ok it is day 2 since I got Nimai. (Please advise me on the steps I am taking, I am not a know-it-all and very much appreciate your experiences and advice)
Nimai has become much more relaxed around me and now is becoming more and more protective of me. This morning we encountered joggers, and he barked and I had to restrain him. Now one of the workers came in to my office (had welding gear and bandana on his head) and she was right by me and barked and hackled. Some of this is nervousness and newness and being startlednessm but I think is protection of her new master.

I plan to go down at lunchtime to the lunchroom and let employees pet and give him some treats. What do you think?

Francis

(asside: Yesterday he took a voltmeter off my desks ($99.00) instrument and chewed up the wires and destroyed the machine) And started chewing a cardboard box, so we went out for a walk. Teenagers, HUH!)