Too Friendly?

5077 Views 30 Replies 19 Participants Last post by StGeorgeK9, Jan 16, 2008

jlk265

Discussion Starter · Nov 5, 2007

Our Kenzie is a year and a half now and has developed into a well socialized and VERY friendly dog. She will bark when someone knocks at the door, then literally fall over and wriggle with happiness as soon as whomever it is comes in the house. In public, she feels that she needs to say hello to anyone that makes eye contact with her... tail immediately starts wagging and its lick lick lick. Ive never stopped/corrected her in the past because i WANT her to be friendly and understand that humans always out-rank her.

I am nothing but pleased that I can really trust her with just about anyone (although it is clear that she prefers to be with me, we are strongly bonded)

Have i let it go too far? How can i teach her that not ALL people are to be trusted and that she should read my verbal and non-verbal cues about a person?

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MaggieRoseLee

· #2 · Nov 5, 2007

Quote:Have i let it go too far?

Not to me. Much rather have a dog that I can trust with everyone. Than one that I'm am NOT comfortable to take everywhere or that will allow people into the house.

My dogs are generally just like yours and just that fact they ARE GSD's and can bark so loudly is more than enough deterent for me.

jlk265

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 5, 2007

yeah, its not even that im looking for a deterrent, i just feel that she should know good people from bad. She is certainly smart enough! i mean, i could even picture her hopping off with a dog-napper without even realizing. heck, all he would need is a tennis ball and shed follow him right off the brooklyn bridge!

JeanKBBMMMAAN

· #4 · Nov 5, 2007

Have you ever let anyone in the house you were afraid of?

Been out and been threatened by someone?

If not, she probably IS reading your cues.

YAY Kenzie!

BowWowMeow

· #5 · Nov 5, 2007

Thank your lucky stars she is so friendly! My foster dog, Peri, is super friendly too and is SUCH a relief not to have to worry about what he's going to do when people go to pet him, etc.

Believe you me, having worked/lived/ with with several unfriendly/fearful/aggressive gsds, you should enjoy all that happiness and love!

Timber1

· #6 · Nov 5, 2007

Youir dog is fine. Despite the dog being so friendly, my hunch is if you are ever threatened the dog will react accordingly.

Elmo's Mom

· #7 · Nov 5, 2007

I don't think you have anything to worry about. You probably haven't run across any people that your dog is concerned about. Our dog, Elmo, is the same way. He loves everyone. He has to with a name like that.

But, there was one time when we were on a walk and ran into one of our neighbors. Elmo normally is so happy to greet everyone, but he didn't want to have anything to do with this guy. He just sat next to me. He even laid down by my feet. He didn't want any attention from this guy even when he called him over. I think Elmo's instinct was dead on. This guy is nice, but a little creepy.

I don't have any doubt that Kenzi would protect you in a bad situation. Hopefully, you will never have to find out. So, be glad your dog is happy and lovable!

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Saphire

· #8 · Nov 5, 2007

I would love Floyd to be more like your dog.......he is not aggressive or fearful he just well ummmmmmmm totally ignores everyone but family or people he knows extremely well. I guess its a normal GSD trait but there are times I wish he would look more excited when people want to say hello and pet him, instead they are hesitant I think because he ignores them and has no reaction whatsoever.

Keeyah

· #9 · Nov 6, 2007

Originally Posted By: SaphireI would love Floyd to be more like your dog.......he is not aggressive or fearful he just well ummmmmmmm totally ignores everyone but family or people he knows extremely well. I guess its a normal GSD trait but there are times I wish he would look more excited when people want to say hello and pet him, instead they are hesitant I think because he ignores them and has no reaction whatsoever.

That is like Diesel too. People are surprised that he isn't all over them when they talk to him.

jlk265

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 7, 2007

well, i suppose the grass is always greener then.... id prefer Kenzie to be a bit more like your dogs!

dogs_dolls

· #11 · Nov 10, 2007

You should be patting yourself on the back and saying Atta Boy!! You did a great job with your girl. I have one friendly guy and one who never met ANYONE outside the family that she likes or trusts! Believe me you want the friendly one!! Our female is a lifetime of careful managment and ceaseless training. The male...a joy!!! Your dog is doing the job by alerting you that there are people. We call them our Perimeter Alarm! Up to the humans with the big brains to take it from there!

kelso

· #12 · Nov 10, 2007

3

..the grass is always greener i suppose

one of our female gsd's was more aloof, now we have a female and male that are very very friendly..the only downside

i have seen of it is that it has made it much harder to train them not to jump and wriggle and jiggle and whine with excitement to everyone that walks in the door

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CHRISTY TILSON

· #13 · Nov 14, 2007

I was actually wandering the same thing with my girl. We rescued her when she was 8 months and now she is one. She was very scared of everything when we got her, but after seeing how loved she is and how great life can be she is so friendly. She even let the carpet cleaning guys pet her and rub all over her and she didn't know them. But I agree with the others, we had a very aggressive shepherd for years that he hated everyone but the family and I loved him but even after years of socialization and training he still remained the same. I always wished he would be friendly and that we could have people over so I am overjoyed to have Laya now.

MaggieRoseLee

· #14 · Nov 14, 2007

Quote: I always wished he would be friendly and that we could have people over so I am overjoyed to have Laya now.

What a lucky girl Laya is to have you!

Cassidy's Mom

· #15 · Nov 14, 2007

I love having "too friendly" dogs! Well, sometimes it IS a PITA because they get so excited meeting people that they want to jump all over them and give kisses. But still, there are definitely worse problems.

Foo Lyn Roo

· #16 · Nov 14, 2007

I think its fine.
Echo is extremly friendly too, to the point
he feels jilted if someone is wary of him LOL

Our trainer, was a k-9 officer, he says
his dog is such a lover and friendly, until
it's time to work.

Dano

· #17 · Nov 14, 2007

A year and a half is quite young. Things may change as your dog gets a little older.

SuzyE

· #18 · Nov 17, 2007

count your blessings. A GSD is a deterrent in itself, even the friendlist GSD is enough to deter someone, they have the reputation of being fiercly loyal, you seriously would have to be a darn fool to try and break in or attack a GSDs owner with a loose GSD.i guarentee you that even your friendly GSD would intervene on your behalf if there was a threat.
Now my GSD, EVERYONE knows she means business. she's the "make my day" type. She lives for the day i yell "kill!! GETEM PAIGE!" and having a dog like her means ALWAYS being on top of her. let me repeat that ALWAYS BEING ON TOP OF HER.This is an added burden I wish I didn't have but that is Paige and I accept her as she is. With a dog like Paige you must really be committed you have to keep an eye on her.She clearly will never want to be touched by strangers.She clearly must be under my control at all times. So really count your blessings!

Dano

· #19 · Nov 17, 2007

Suzy, you don't have to live with a dog like that if you don't want to. I couldn't live with a dog that was ready to kill. My GSD means business and shows it by being aloof to strangers unless they venture into our territory. My Bull Terrier stares at strangers and they become frightened.

SuzyE

· #20 · Nov 18, 2007

Paige is a success story, my friend. My dog is in control, she just will never be stranger friendly.Paige had very weak nerves and has come a long way. She goes camping, to dog events all the stuff my other dogs do, she just doesn't want to be petted by strangers. She will look at me like "mom, please don't let them touch me" That's my dog,i accept that about her. There really is no reason for me to stress her. My vet who practiced for over 20 yrs said Paige is the biggest turn around in a dog she has ever seen.Paige trusts me, she looks to me and there is no reason to push the envelope. I'll keep my crazy dog just the way she is thanks, if folks want to pet my dogs I have two mutts that are more than happy to oblige.
Somtimes acceptance is your best tool.I will also add that Paige is the smartest dog I have ever known and I work with dogs.Most folks would have not been up for the challenge of Paige, I was. I wouldn't trade my girl for the best bred, even tempered GSD in the world because TOGETHER we have met more challenges and conquered more with training than most ever would. My dog went into training ready to attack and by the end of 6 weeks was eating out of the trainers hands, still pulled away from being petted but ate their french fries-a dog that would take food from NO ONE but me.i'm very very very proud of my dog.

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