How have your life experiences prepared you to be a better GSD owner?

[Castlemaid]

Very often we read and hear about how not everyone should own a GSD: they are amazing dogs, but require time, training, work outlets, exercise, close inclusion in the family, understanding.

So looking back, which life experiences have prepared you to become a successful owner? Was it the example of others? Mistakes made with previous dogs that you vowed to not repeat? An overall interest and comitment? A learned or innate understanding of a GSD's needs? A trainer, teacher, TV personality that influenced and inspired you?

For me, it was adopting Keeta that paved the way. She came with baggage, attitude (and not the good kind! ) , drives and energy that completely overwhelmed me. Prior to Keeta, I had a really nice and easy Spaniel mix - my first dog, and not much of a challenge in any way, just sweet and easy. So with Keeta, I was in for a real awakening!

With Keeta, it was with desperation that I reluctantly signed up for training classes, which I always poo-pooed as being silly and useless. But I was open to anything, I had to try and work with her! Well, it was a MAJOR turning point for both her and I! With positive, food-reward based training, we both learned so much, and it completely changed our relationship for the better! My on-going desire to continue working with her and continue in a venue of formal training led me to join our Schutzhund club, wich gave me the opportunity and the privildege to see these amazing GSD's in action, and the rest, as they say, is history!

So what is your story and philosophical and practical background influences that you feel has been a major contributor to your GSD success?

[krystyne73]

When I was younger and had s smaller house I only had one dog (ASD). I purchased books and worked to train him into the best obedient dog. He was the best and died of old age. Then we decided to get the GD, who was going to be put down for biting, it was hard helping this dog, I had enrolled in dog training but this didn't help him. As he got older I felt better and picked up a dog I could hike with (Meika) but still felt like I couldn't socialize the dogs because of Max.
After 2 more "special needs" dogs and dog fights in the house, I decided to crack open the books again, get a trainer to evaluate ME and pay attention to the dynamics of my pack. It wasn't until Sasha came that I stopped being a submissive dog owner and got back to basics. ( 15 wks of dog training with just Sasha right now, and we still have to pass group classes)
Now all four dogs are laying on the floor next to me ( no fights in several weeks). I have a lot of work still , but now that I have established my leadership again, the dogs are able to stay focused much better. Life is great again!

[Bridget]

I really like this topic. My situation was kind of like yours, Lucia, in that I wasn't prepared at all for a GSD. When I got Heidi, I wasn't a strong leader at all and really had no idea. It was pretty overwhelming for a while, but I loved her so much that I just had to learn what to do and how to be the best leader I could. I'm still not there yet, but progressing. I had nothing in my prior experience that prepared me.

[Wolfiesmom]

Both my husband and I grew up with GSDs. In a way we were born to have them as adults.

[Good_Karma]

The only thing I had going for me is that I'm athletic, so two or three hours of walking/running a day aren't hard for me to do. BUT, I never had to learn the patience I needed to get through puppy hood. I did read a ton of books, and that helped.

Usually things come pretty easily for me, I try something and I'm fairly good at it. Not so with raising and training puppies! Huge learning curve. It's a good thing I'm stubborn and not a quitter.

I'll be better prepared for my next puppy. Just hope I don't forget everything I've learned the past two years.

[Bomber]

I had great danes prior.... Human sized kid like eating machines that can get into anything. My new GSD is a breeze dealing with compared to them.

[elisabeth_00117]

I have never owned another breed, I grew up around GSD's and my family always had one.

I have a deep love, admiration and loyalty to the breed. When they say "GSD snobs" they are describing me. I don't even pay much attention to other breeds and have no desire to learn about them. I will however spend hours upon hours reading about GSD's or talking to other owners, handlers, trainers, etc.

I like challenges and I also like to be active and so this breed really coincides with those characteristics. I am very outdoorsy and enjoy learning new things.

I will say that Stark has been a life experience in his own right. I grew up just enjoying the benefits of having the breed/dog in my life, not really having much responsibilities when dealing with their care or training because that fell on my Dad (both due to my age and his love of the breed).

Stark's reactiveness, lack of drives and overall goofyness has really prepared me for what's to come. I feel by having to deal with Stark's issues, it has made me not only a more understanding dog owner but a different type of person in general - for the better. I hold more confidence, more patience (definitely this one) and just a more general calm inside myself. He's made me want to learn more, do more and understand more and for that I am so greatful of him. We have been in so many classes, training facilities, places, etc. that I probably never wuold of realized was there if not for him.

My next dog is going to be super lucky because of all I have learned from Stark.

[DWP]

I was raised with GSDs. Life in the Military ond other occupations didn't lend itself to getting a GSD because I knew I couldn't spend enough time with them. Now, my Wife and I are settled, big yard and at the end of my Military career. Have two GSD females. Are just awsome! It is amazing how they become part of your home and we both love spending tiime with them. We entertain frequently and the girls do great.

You have to admit, some of the looks the girls get from those not familiar with GSDs is priceless. From fear to just plain ignorant. Never understood why someone would assume a 90lb GSD is gonna greet them with joy on the first meeting. Especially when they rush them with a big smile (showing teath). . . .. . . Stupid humans, darn near got bit ther buddy!

[brembo]

My parents tossed a Britany (sp?) Spaniel puppy into the crib with me. Vic grew up with me, died when I was 16. I learned to be kind and gentle with animals because if I so much as thought about hurting Vic my mom would wear my arse out. Spaniels are easy, EASY dogs to get along with. Vic especially so as his lines were working lines and the inbreeding that haunts some spaniel (cough cockers cough) lines was not an issue. He loved to hunt, and my dad and I kept him happy.

When he died I began looking for another dog and one found me when I was working during the summer. Ended up rescuing a "semi-feral" border collie. She was a handful for everyone, fast as lightening and just as apt to remove a finger as to snuggle. For whatever reason she melted into a puddle of mush when she met me. The vet (she was kept at my vets office) pretty much informed me that she was now my dog. Oh well.

GSDs are smart, no question. Border Collies are smart too, but they are different dogs in BIG ways. My GSD's seeming purpose in life is keeping me happy and doing anything in his power to secure that. He's uncanny at times. The Collie? Her goal was to explore any and all means in which to surprise, agitate, annoy and shock me. She also, was uncanny in those regards. That's not to say she was a PITA all the time, she was a loving and loyal companion, BUT she could drive one to screaming fits. I miss the unadulterated joy that dog expressed when being a total knob, she frolicked while I fumed. I never stayed angry with her for more than a couple of minutes at a time (well, except that 10 day walkabout she did, I was crushed for 9 days thinking she had been killed) and normally ended up laughing at myself at how easily she made me look like a fool.

I learned how to deal with an energetic, smart and highly driven animal. Katy (the Collie)helped me learn to not stress too much over small issues and to be over-the-top with praise. A dead mouse in the bed? YAWN. Pat her on the head and tell her she's a good hunter. Roll with the punches.

Katy helped me take a shell-shocked GSD and in a few years have a bullet-proof loverboy. Banjo (GSD) has so much confidence in himself and me that I hardly even think about taking him into strange situations surrounded by dozens of distractions.

[4TheDawgies]

What a cute and sweet thread! I really enjoyed reading everyones stories!

I would say that what turned me on to the breed is my grandpa owning one he imported from Germany with SchH titles. I fell in love with the dog. His name was Wolf.

Ever since he got the dog when I was about 7, I have fantasized, made those silly imaginary German Shepherds that I would pretend was with me all the time, and as I got older learned as much as I could about them.
I ended up with Veda for free and that dog has really taught me so much. Veda had allergies, fear problems, weak nerves, ended up with thyroid problems etc.

She really paved the way. Despite being from irresponsible breeding she has some serious drive. So I had to quickly learn how to handle that and channel it without loosing my mind. It turned into a guilty pleasure. Now I can't imagine having a dog that lays around and doesn't want to do anything. They (all of my dogs) keep me on the go and keep me thinking and I love it!

I will probably own German Shepherds my whole life.