Help needed working with a Dutch Shepherd Puppy

[ponyfarm]

I assist in a puppy school for pet obedience. One of the customers has a Dutch Shepherd that she admits/boasts that came from a breeder that breeds for "hard" dogs. The pup will not allow anyone to touch it without attempting to nail our hand, with serious intent. This little guy is about 12 weeks, but I don't want my hands torn up each week.

The owner said no one else but her can touch it! One problem I have is that she actually did not see anything wrong with that! And the owner is covered with bites, including her neck..she admits it goes for her with intent as well. NOt the typical play bite/german shepherd bite that we usually see!

I would like to hear if any of you have trained a dutch shepherd. What works with such a reactive breed? Can we make him accepting of us?

[Jax08]

Wow. I talked to a DS owner and she told me that it's hard to find a good breeder here in the states because of things like this. Have you considered contacting the DS rescue (think there is only one here in the states) and see what kind of temperament they find? Or your local Schutzhund club to see if they are familiar with DS's? That's where I would start. I think they would have the most experience.

There are a couple people here who have DS's but I can not remember their names!

[WVGSD]

During the past year I have been involved with the rescue of two different groups of Dutch Shepherds from local shelters. There was also a recent additional rescue/seizure of seven Dutchies and three Mals from a breeder within driving distance from me as well. The folks at National Dutch Shepherd Rescue are fantastic and would be a great source of information and guidance.

[Liesje]

Might want to contact Falon (I think her username is FG167), she has experience with Dutch shepherds and this sort of thing.

[JakodaCD OA]

this is a ticking time bomb unless someone can get a handle on the owner and the puppy

[Jax08]

Diane - who is the member with the dutchie that went to Holland to get him? She has Belgian Shepherds as well.

[Gretchen]

What you described is not typical of the Dutch Shepherds I have met. Our GSD breeder also breeds Dutch Shepherds. The ones I met seemed very well socialized, nice dogs. In that way they seemed easier than a GSD, but they seemed to have higher energy.

[Liesje]

All ones I've met have been monsters (some to a higher degree than others).

[Jax08]

The one girl I met was nice. She wasn't crazy about other dogs and seemed a little clingy but she was far from bad.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Originally Posted by ponyfarm

I assist in a puppy school for pet obedience. One of the customers has a Dutch Shepherd that she admits/boasts that came from a breeder that breeds for "hard" dogs. The pup will not allow anyone to touch it without attempting to nail our hand, with serious intent. This little guy is about 12 weeks, but I don't want my hands torn up each week.

The owner said no one else but her can touch it! One problem I have is that she actually did not see anything wrong with that! And the owner is covered with bites, including her neck..she admits it goes for her with intent as well. NOt the typical play bite/german shepherd bite that we usually see!

I would like to hear if any of you have trained a dutch shepherd. What works with such a reactive breed? Can we make him accepting of us?

Well, none of that sounds pleasant and worse, if that's what she wants him to do, that's what he is going to do.

SO - IF she will allow it - I almost think from reading she doesn't want him to stop - is that true? I would do the whole systematic desensitization thing with him, starting way back and rewarding (clicking - I know people love to hear THAT!) and treating for positive behaviors, doing that whole deal with him. I would even consider a muzzle (I don't know - maybe - certainly up for discussion!).

How does the puppy respond to praise, food, toys, otherwise? In other words, does he seem motivated in any way by things outside of biting?

Is the touching dislike a sensory thing, a space thing, not being used to it, or other? NO comparison, but my sarcoptic mange foster went a week or so without a lot of touching by me and was very mouthy when I resumed touching more again. He needed to be acclimated to touch again. Because he is on a very clear cycle of being touched, biting, being touched less, to the point of having an adult dog who is unable to be touched, no matter the why.

MAN! Don't you wish you could ghost of dog future her so she could see the day when the dog hurts someone and her having to do the unthinkable...if she doesn't turn it around...I wonder if there are any videos of dogs failing evaluations for lack of bite inhibition to show her.