I had a working line GSD 40 years ago. Imported sire/dam both with Schutzhund titles. He was a very well balanced dog, good with people and other dogs. I've also had American bred GSD. Those at least the ones I had had people issues. The working ling was a much more balanced brain wise. He took longer to train in obedience as he would get bored with it. By the time he was 2 he was all together. At that time the vet I went to always had a crowded office. I could put him in a down, people and dogs could walk right over the top of him to get where they were going and he would not budge. I'd say nose down and when he was lying there he'd flatten his nose to the ground. He by far was the best trained, most well rounded dog I ever owned.[/QUOTE
]Working line, Show line and the American Show Line GSD's, can all have "people issues??" And where they come from (the dog) doesn't really change that, to a degree. If the dog has "solid nerves," (good breeding) can determine the ultimate out come in order to get them uh better. And that does a degree of knowledge and skill?? And uh yeah no "Flooding" with those guys! By there "nature" they are bred to bite, it's part of there DNA. And most (well alot) of "Bully" first and GSD second, owners ... can find themselves in uh ..."Deep Crap" with a "GSD!"
If you get something wrong?? In the first year??? GSD's tend to become subject to the "old my dog changed" bit?? Usually in the 14 to 18 month range. Happens all the time ... still ... apparently. The second "lesson" they will learn is, "Formal Obedience Training, Won't Solve Behavioral Issues."
GSD's can do formal obedience, half asleep. The surprise wil be that just because he/she, Sit's Stays, Downs, Recalls ... etc, etc. Does not mean crap! The issues start at home and how the dog lives with the owner day in day out. And if GSD owners are "Bully ie Boxer" owner first ... that in home "Structure" tends to be uh pretty lose, if practiced at all???
Now I'm gonna guess, that most Boxer owners don't practice "Strict Structure in the home??" Our dogs tend to be free to move about indoors as they see fit ie "Free Roaming" Indoors. They hop on the furniture at will and short of "tearing up stuff" when left alone, few are crated and most sleep in our beds and not in a crate at home.
I don't "know" these things to be true ... but it's how I always rolled and it "was" no big deal ... until it was!!
And least one tend to think ... well BYB, dogs?? Uh "NO" one of my best "saves" ever was a High End Female GSD gifted to her by her very well off friend. She was a "Very Experienced Bully," owner but her issues with her Wl GSD were so bad that the dog was scheduled for "Death, on that day at 4:30!
I saw the thread but let it go, it seemed the call had been made so you know what could I do?? But one of my friends online reached out and asked me to pitch in. MAWL (Mine Are Working Line) and she has 4 WL GSD and one SL, and the kicker, she is a LE K9 trainer!
So there was lot's of help ... including the Dogs Breeder!! But nothing was helping ...thus far?? And the issue was "people!" Everyone aside from her ... was a "threat and it needed to be taken down!!"
I do believe she had even tried to hire a "Trainer" and clearly that did not work?? So I did what I do and sigh ... I explained ... "More and Better Structure" in the home. And of course "Place and Sit on the Dog!"
Well you know time goes by and we heard nothing?? And then one day a few months later ... she post again with her uh other "Dogs??"
Now she made no mention of other dogs before but she post everybody in "Place" with there bones. And my jaw hit the floor. There was the obligatory little dog and her GSD of course but also were not one but two Cane Corso's!!
But the WL GSD was the one giving her grief!?? But if you get them right out the gate (WL GSD) which includes, proper structure in the home, you can sail right thru the "Change Period" and won't even notice it! And when you get it right ... they are pretty amazing freaking dogs, no doubt! They are a "Breed" that will have your back! So you know "folks" here that want a GSD also, you have been duly warned.
But you know where do these "potential" issues come from?? Which takes us back on point. And had I stuck with Band Dogs and Boxers/Boxer APBT mixes, ire Bully's. I most likely would have never had so much to say and so much learning to do, and so much to catch up on??
Cuz what I did not know or understand what I was "avoiding" without actually knowing, I was avoiding it, was "High Rank Drive??" A "Breeds desire to climb the Social Ladder." And that info can be found here, under the FAQ ...
are they safe with kids? "High Rank Drive discussion. :
https://midgardkennels.wordpress.com/frequently-asked-questions/