[DSudd]

This one is strange and I can't give all the details, but is it possible for a GSD to get mad and hold a grudge?

I get the feeling Rocky is mad at DH and I this morning, is it even possible?

 

[tibvixie101]

I dunno if its possible for them to hold a grudge, dogs more or less live in the moment, and forget about what happened 10 minutes ago. But i have seen a few times where DF has punished Mya and she will hang her head low and move out of his way for a while afterwards, but she looks at him waiting for a sign that he is no longer mad at her, then the ears go back and a slight wag of the tail and she's fine. He cant stay mad at her and usually gives in once he notices she is sad and awaiting the moment when he wont be mad at her anymore.

Maybe he's just have a bad morning?

 

[JKlatsky]

I don't think so. Do dogs get mad? Yes sometimes I think they do, but I don't think they hang on to it and try to punish you. Although Lord knows sometimes I feel like my dog is sending me on a guilt trip.

 

[rlwolf]

Well he wasn't a German Shepherd, but when I was about 16 I had a Pomeranian that I SWEAR did not look at me for at least one week after he was neutered.

I had to work that day, so I dropped him off at the vet on my way to work. My mom was the one that picked him up. So I think he saw it as me abandoning him, and my mom saved him.

He wouldn't look at me for a week. He'd let me hold him and pet him, but he would not look at me. So if you ask me... YES, I think it's possible for a dog to hold a grudge.

 

[DSudd]

Nope I think he is having a jealousy problem or something LMAO. I just gave DH and hug and a kiss and he growled at us.

Just strange. He is being really mopey. Don't understand why cause he gets lots of attention from both of us.

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote:This one is strange and I can't give all the details, but is it possible for a GSD to get mad and hold a grudge?

No.

But they can act differently from other things going on. I always get WAY proactive when new behavioral issues crop up like this. Usually massively increasing the fun exercise/socialization for the next week or so gets my normal dog back. Hiking, car rides, out and about visits with friends....

 

[chjhu]

I think, in a way, they can.
I have to travel for work sometimes and I am gone for a week. Beau and Riley are at home and I have pet sitters taking care of them. When I arrive home, the first thing I do is to take the dogs out for playtime and potty, 20-30mins usually. It happened several times that, after returning into the house (after the playtime), Riley released a big load from his bladder in the kitchen. He was peeing some outside, but he definitely saved the big load for the kitchen (I think he wanted to tell me that I hurt his feelings by going away) - it must have been a considerable effort to run around an fetch for half an hour with a full bladder.

 

[jake]

I believe a single incident of unfair treatment toward your dog is not related to some sort of 'grudge'behavior.However if you do not relate to your dog and act innappropriately through ignorance or bad advice for a period of time it may take a LONG time to regain trust and the perception of a dog retaliating is a common justification of owners refusing to admit in handling errors

 

[chjhu]

 

[DSudd]

Talldog, this is not unfair treatment towards the dog. We have very few issues with him, and most of the time it is a small test to see if we are still in charge.

Sorry if you consider not letting the dog on the bed unfair treatment. He is never allowed on the beds. And he just just as much love as dh. We are not treating him any differently, for some reason he just chose to act like that for a day. Just figured I would get some other insight into the situation.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

ttall didn't know what the issue was since you didn't explain it, regarding being on the bed-that is breaking news, so to speak.

I don't think that post was directed at you or anyone specifically, just a general observation about a dog's behavior over time.

I did notice no one has asked if there has been more growling. I hope that there hasn't been! It would have been helpful to have more details, I think.

 

[Maedchen]

It would have been helpful to have more details, I think.

Ditto. I can't figure out what was going on at all. What's up with the growling and the bed and what did the husband do (after the dog growled) and what exactly was the dogs reaction (towards the husband)?

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote:but is it possible for a GSD to get mad and hold a grudge?

And the further details continue to show my answer as a big 'No'!

Adding the bed and growling are important details that most of us are picking up on as being a big cue. If this is the first time a situation like this has happened, that's great news cause you can quickly get a handle on it.

Great book for this, not obedience, just to settle the leadership roles in the house, is The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell. This is all about your dog grabbing leadership. And NOTHING about holding a grudge.

 

[jake]

My interpretation of 'holding a grudge 'is-reacting with distancing behavior due to inapropriate treatment/or perceived inappropriate treatment.To explain my reply if you lose your temper and shake or grab your dog once-NO he won't hold a grudge.If you continue to do YES he will and distance himself from you either mentally or physically.
I am NOT saying this is true for YOU but you chose to give few details.I am not being preachy cause I made many mistakes with my rescue.Just wondering what "a small test to see if you are still in charge" involves?

 

[Barb E]

I don't think that's holding a grudge ttalldog, I think that's learning.

I don't think dogs can hold a grudge in the sense humans can. They can however learn very well from what we do/don't do and what we teach/don't teach them, and read our body language way better than we do

Just my $0.02

 

[DSudd]

Originally Posted By: ttalldogMy interpretation of 'holding a grudge 'is-reacting with distancing behavior due to inapropriate treatment/or perceived inappropriate treatment.To explain my reply if you lose your temper and shake or grab your dog once-NO he won't hold a grudge.If you continue to do YES he will and distance himself from you either mentally or physically.
I am NOT saying this is true for YOU but you chose to give few details.I am not being preachy cause I made many mistakes with my rescue.Just wondering what "a small test to see if you are still in charge" involves?

For example trying to go out the door before Dh or I. Trying to eat his dinner without permission. (We practice the NILF for his meals, going out the door, etc.) The correct thing is he will sit, we will put down his food, and then we tell him to eat. If he is testing he will stand up before we say eat. I didnt add to many details because it was DH & DW personal thing.

 

[DSudd]

Originally Posted By: MaedchenIt would have been helpful to have more details, I think.

Ditto. I can't figure out what was going on at all. What's up with the growling and the bed and what did the husband do (after the dog growled) and what exactly was the dogs reaction (towards the husband)?

DH didn't do anything. We basically ignored him because we did not want to encourage that behavior. No he has not done it since. It is strange because DH and I always hug and kiss each other good bye and hello. Then we both spend time with Rocky. Maybe it was just something else and his timing was off.

Rocky and DH have an awesome relationship. Rocky knows that the humans in the house are the pack leaders and he doesn't have a problem with it. He listens to commands from all of us. We all also spend time with him, and play with him.