Anthony , simply , there is no beating up "You can beat me up all you want. I did the best I could. You may think I ignored your advice, but I didn't"
I know you have not ignored me --many times when I held the line , you probably had a bit of pleasure from giving me a bit of a kick - dang I got suckered into this discussion again. lol . Still in there --
this "She acted as referee as I mentioned in another thread. The kids were laughing in another part of the room, and Kira jumped up and got in between them."
I thought that thread was about a female adult guest who reached out to one of the older daughters who was being a typical teen "mouthy" ???
Saying it is YOU , Mrs K. The dog had issues from the earliest in the park . Anthony may not have management down pat , but there is nothing that he is doing that would make me hesitate having him as an owner, NOR SHOULD ANYONE ELSE! Firm on that . Sometimes you don't create a problem you inheret it . That dog would be the same in any home .
Dogs come in to the world with their own set of emotional chemistry . How many other forum members write about pups they just got with issues long before much owner or environmental input . Why does one read and study pedigrees ?
She does not need to be re-homed . She needs to be managed differently in the home .
The breeder has no interest , that went by the wayside the moment the cheque was cashed . Proof of that was the lack of interest when (hope my recollection is correct -- ) Kira had a hip problem?
I can imagine that Anthony would have looked forward to doing more with the dog - and can't because any thing he may want to try is going to introduce another problem to solve.
In part we bring dogs in to our lives to have some pleasure , expand our own social networks and interests, get out , get some exercise , some quiet time , heck -- they are supposed to reduce our stress not add to it . (ideally).
out of context , point - " telling their friends to respect Kira's space, " the house is not Kira's space -- the entire family and all invited guests should be able to move around freely without inhibition -- they are not interested in Kira so there is no interaction -- but the dog enters their space , over and over , because her threshold is low and so her buffer zone is larger , threat is perceived quickly and at distance .
There is nothing wrong with the family being
apathetic to the dog -- she IS Anthony's dog .
Crating , kenneling , solution in management. At this very moment Costco's are offering very attractive , sturdy AKC approved kennels 8 x 8 x 6 . Get some patio stones . Lay a foundation and set the Kennel sytem on top . They also provide a shade cover . This way the dog is with Anthony , under control, in the kennel safe from negative interaction, or in the home in a crate . I am not in favour at all with dogs on furniture or sharing a bed . Too much entitlement . That picture of her on the foot stool by the window -- definitely not for me -- Too much family revolving around the dog . Dog too central and demanding . You on couch with your feet up , having your evening after meal beverage , dog lying at your feet (because before dinner you took the dog for a quick jog ) . Dog works for you, not you for the dog.
I agree with Liesje , the whole family does not need to be involved . They have to respect and accommodate whatever rules Anthony sets down . He is in charge . If he puts her somewhere that is where she stays until he gets her out. Even better there will be consistancy . If Anthony says sit the dog sits. If a family members says sit and the dog wanders around distracted and then finally decides , yeah , sit , okay , sit -- then the dog has two sets of expectations , and that brings conflict , the next time Anthony asks sit , now.
Bing bing bing - Yes ! "What Kira did in that video is not what GSD's do when they're stable. Children should not be targets. Anyone who has said their GSD has issues with kids has said they have to manage that situation. It doesn't in any way suggest they didn't get a GSD knowing that they're a protective breed and then not like it when they act that way. GSD's are supposed to be able to discern friend from foe. That child was clearly not a foe. Don't try to spin it. You wanted to dis Anthony because YOU assumed just because he lives in the big city and has a nice home that he didn't know what he was doing. Rather, I think he was not necessarily prepared for a bit of nerve issue and is learning along the way. I daresay I would put his dog training for basic obedience up against most of the dogs on this board and say she is under his control very well. His issue is learning how to manage her reactivity. "
Adding to that recognizing that this is her base temperament .
why? San - "My current GSD is a high defense/low threshold dog. She is a reactive dog. My GSD may not have the perfect temperament but she is perfect for us. She listens to us well and is very sweet. We really enjoy her quirks and our lives revolve around her. Given a choice again, we would have no hesitation in getting another dog just like her. "
If you have it , deal with it , but do recognize that there are rock solid GSD out there with high thresholds very capable of doing any sport or real life protection and are able to sail through life , any situation, environment , often are not ever giving out any signal as to the power that they have. A low threshold dog requires extra care -- your life revolves around the dog -- I would rather have a dog that fits into my life .
