[GSDLover_Forever]

Of your GSD? My one Aunt is scared to death of Zeus. I have no idea why...Sure, he's barked at her before when he first saw her because he didn't know her...That's fine, but he's seen her enough now and when he barks at her now, it's a "hey play with me" playful bark. But she's still scared. She pet him, but she was nervous. Anyone else have a family member afraid of your GSD? She's fine with our other dogs!

 

[DSudd]

Yep, most of the family. Not sure why, Rocky has never bit, jumped on, barked at, scratched, etc. I think it is his size. It is funny to watch them, the stretch their arms out as far as they can when they are trying to back away from him. LOL

The other who arent afraid are just all over him, petting him, baby talking to him, etc. Seems like the kids are less afraid then that adults.

 

[SunCzarina]

My sister is terrified of Morgan. The first day she met Morgan, Luther was still with us - lol, Luther took my sister for a walk and I walked Morgan.

Brenda bent down to the ground to undo the bottom latch on my garden. Morgan, then 2, woofed at her. I gave Morgan a harsh correction - she was 2 and woofing at people to scare them was looking like the start of a bad habit.

Because of this woof, my sister is terrified of Morgan and in turn has made her 2 sons terrified of a dog they've never met. She won't come here unless I promise Morgan will be behind a locked door.

We had GSDs growing up, all of whom were bigger and scarier than Morgan. The Moon just has that 'I could mess you up' look in her eyes I guess...

 

[EJQ]

Neither of my sisters is in the least bit afraid. My only brother in law has always been a bit leary around all of our GSDs. He has never expressed it but you can tell by his body language. My 94 year old mom is not at all intimidated. Which is good because our girls get very excited when they see her. As a matter of fact they get quite "high-stair-ic-cal" whenever they see either the older of my sisters or my mom. You know sometimes a friendly GSD can be pretty overwhelming!

Grand kids ages 6,5,3, & 14 months are only allowed around B'EL when she is off leash (well not the 14 month old) Ara and Troy are on leash when the kids are around. All family members that I can think of are dog owners so they pretty much take our crew in stride.

 

[Guest]

Not on my side of the family. That side goes back 60 years with GSDs so any issues anybody may have ever had are long since gone. In fact, I can't remember any relatives being afraid of any of our dogs in the years I grew up in.

On DW's side nope, nobody really "afraid" but her mother was a bit apprehensive about having two GSDs near her newborn grandson. First visit though since Trip's arrival put that to rest. One look at Odin never more than a couple feet from DW and every inch of him showing a dog very much taking his position of guardian seriously was proof enough to her that Trip is more than safe in his care.

 

[Brightelf]

My family in USA were all quite loving with Grimm. My sister's s dog lover.

Here in Germany, DH's family has NEVER had a dog of any sort. Some are cautious around Grimm, but DH's sister is matter of fact but not huggy with Grimm.. and her hubby, DH's brother in law, adores Grimmi!

Ulrich himself *loves* but does not yet "like" Grimm. The older and more mature and calm Grimm becomes, the more he likes him. This is hard to explain. Non-dog person, never had a dog, never noticed dogs before-- cannot possibly fathom why a dog wants to sniff him, wag his tail against him, grin at him, blunder into his space, accidentally step on his feet, and GOD FORBID-- give him a kiss.
Yet, DH shops for Grimm's raw food goodies, bought him his B Day gift last year, and is protective of Grimm. Scared? No... just not very much understanding, not a doggy person per se.

 

[Sashmom]

Oh heck ya but they have good reason to be. Sash always tried to scare people, did a good job. The funniest thing is my best friend who has never owned a dog in her life, never had any fear of him, she never saw him as a German Shepherd, she never said oooo Im afraid hes a German Shepherd!! and Sash in turn always loved her and went nutso when she was at the door. Have another friend who really isn a "doggy" person but he isnt afraid either. He said hes been around junk yard dogs and Sash is nothing.
Maybe your Aunt doesnt understand the barking? You can explain to her theyre vocal and that is just his way of being exicted and saying: Play with me!

Patti, my DH loves my GSD but doesnt really like him. He is exactly like your DH, he will come home with special treats, buys expensive dog food I ask for

never complains so I guess thar is good enough. He wont go out and throw his ball for him, etc though cant be bothered, that is my job.

 

[pupresq]

My immediate family and dad's family are all total dog lovers. My 94 year old grandmother isn't a dog person but she gives it her best shot - I have a hilarious drawing she did of herself after I gave her a dog sled ride. She was maybe 88 or so then and she got towed around the block by a Rottweiler and a GSD/Malamute. She was so proud!

But my MIL and SIL don't get it. I think they think DH married into some kind of dog cult. They don't understand the appeal of animals at all and my niece is absolutely terrified of dogs. I mean, will literally start screaming if she sees one - and not just a GSD, any dog. So, we go to them, they don't come here. Or, more accurately, DH goes to them and I stay here with the dogs.

 

[GSDLover_Forever]

I've tried a million times to explain to her it's not that he wants to kill her, it's that he wants to play. Oh well. At least I know if he gets out he won't shred her to a million pieces...

 

[selzer]

Yes, Lisa is afraid of Tori. Tori is petrified of Lisa. Tori does not like people that much. But Thursday I had her eating banana chips out of my trainer's hand. And Saturday, she went right in with the mobil groomers, neither of which she had met before, and there were no casualties.

Lisa came over. I let her out of her kennel. She ran around but did not go up to Lisa. Then I put her back in her kennel. Lisa gave her a treat. All was well, I thought. I turned and was halfway back to the house when Lisa let out a blood curdling yell.

She had offered her hand to Tori. I did not hear anything. She told me that Tori pulled back her lips, showed her teeth and growled. Lisa's yell made ME jump. What a total bummer. Lisa thinks the dog doesn't like her. The dog is afraid of her. Now it will be that much worse!

 

[GSDLover_Forever]

selzer, that sucks. =( Maybe it's because Tori senses Lisa's fear and she's reacting the same way by being afraid?

 

[ConnersThor]

my mother-in-law is terrified of thor. i don't know why. all other members of the family just walk in like they are supposed to be there, and thats what we tell her to do, but she is just to scared to relax. now, when she comes over, we put thor in the back yard untill judy is inside, then let him in and he pays her no mind. my 10 year old son and 11 year old niece can walk up to thor and take food out of his mouth, play rough with him, and he just walks away when he's tired of it. if judy would just relax when she comes in, thor would just ignore her until he wanted a treat or to be petted by her.