Is bad behavior normal?

[kellyesuzette]

I'm completely new to Dutch Shepherds. I just recently discovered that our dog, Possum, that we have had for two years is a DS. She is pretty close to the perfect dog. She is very loving & obedient, smart, protective, great with our little boys. We had a terrible French bulldog puppy for about a year before we gave him away, & our DS was wonderful with him, even when he was teeny tiny. The only problems with her is that she digs holes to lay in, pulls up my solar lights, & would chase the goats & chickens next door if she could get to them. She won't let the vet clean her ears either. She knocked the vet down last time she tried & then sat in her lap to say "I'm sorry."

So, now that we know Possum's breed, we have been searching for another DS because she is so wonderful. As I read this forum & read about aggression issues. Is aggression normal in these dogs? I can't have a dog like that around my kids. I also don't need Possum learning any bad behaviors. Did we just get lucky with our dog?

[Dutchringgirl]

Is bad behavior normal????????? Well, according to Sadie.........Yes.

The DS vary from dog to dog. Thalie, my 10 yo, is a French import from champion bloodlines. She is also the perfect dog, very lady like, I dont think I have given her a command in......oh.... 5 years, she just knows what to do, although, she also knows to wait for us to go up to bed to counter surf Thalie is low prey drive and high tug drive. Now, Sadie, a rescue, is super high drive and gets into trouble all of the time, she dosnt want to be bad, she just is a high energy dog, and when she has pent up energy, the dog bed gets dragged through the house. She is super sweet but around my kids she is a bit weary, she is insecure so isnt to cuddly with the kids. Thalie is a super cuddler and I trust 100% with even a toddler. It seems to do alot with the bloodlines and how they were brought up as a pup.

Let her know who is the Leader of the pack, if your kids are old enough, have them let Possum know that they are her leader. Sadie is learning that she cant boss my kids around.

[johninny]

but it does sound like you lucked out in a way - you probably got a very low drive dog [ and with no ''issues'']
most all DS are going to be high drive to extremely high drive. taking a pup from the right breeder and putting in a lot of effort could get you what you want, but to luck out again without such expense of time and money, you may want to sign up for shelter/pet searches within an acceptable travel radius of your home [ searching for ''shepherd'' as many Ds are not identified as such - tho many do not even get called shepherds but pit bulls, hounds, terriers, etc -- bizarre!]. then with patience you may find a ds or ds mix that is right for you and one that you can test a bit and also not guess what it will grow up to be. a DS mix has a better chance of of giving you all the great DS characteristics and looks while taking a bit or a lot of the edge off. on the necessary assumption that the dogs would get along, they do recognize each other and appreciate their own kind and have ways of playing together that often are not exhibited with non-ds/mal.

[johninny]

can we see pics of this great dog? we all love to see pics!!

[LyonsFamily]

Excuse any typos. I'm trying to write from my phone since the flooding knocked out the internet.

It really depends on what you consider bad...
Odin is very well trained. He came from a foster mom that competes with malinois and lived in her training facility for months. I've put a ton of time and money to get him to where he is now.

He will not let a stranger into the house. It doesn't matter if it's a relative, friend, utility repairman, or burgler. Once he's been properly introduced he's everyones friend for life. I keep him kenneled for people that wont behave themselves or respect my introduction rules. I don't consider that bad at all. It is what he was bred for and a big reason why I got him. He can behave himself out in public and at dog shows, but I don't let him socialize and he's indifferent to people petting him other than his core group. Like Lisa said they're not all super drivey, but they're bred for herding and protection/police type work so finding one without those insticts and traits is going to be tough and a lot of work and time.

I have clients that want a protective dog but want it to eagerly greet strangers and have it play with everyone at the dog park. It doesn't work both ways. They can be trained to behave and remain more neutral until called upon, but highly protective dogs won't be the life of the party. Thats why we made the decision to not have kids before deciding on this type of dog. Sure he would be fine around our own kidss and could be tdained otherwise, but kids have friends and parties and are in and out as they get older.Most people like that do better with a big show bred GSD or rottie and a speak command.

[Dutchringgirl]

Once he's been properly introduced he's everyones friend for life.

My previous dog was like that. She was a pitt/ rott mix. Super fantastic dog. But you had to greet her on HER terms, there was no changing that. So I respected that. I would tell people, you MUST let her come to you first, if she rolls on her back before she made the first move DO NOT scratch her belly, if you do, you cant stop with out being nipped. IF you let her come to you first, you are friends for life and can scratch her belly and when you are done, she will lick you.

They are who they are and there are some agressive things that are part of who they are. With this type of breed, there is alot to consider.

[LyonsFamily]

Once he's been properly introduced he's everyones friend for life.

My previous dog was like that. She was a pitt/ rott mix. Super fantastic dog. But you had to greet her on HER terms, there was no changing that. So I respected that. I would tell people, you MUST let her come to you first, if she rolls on her back before she made the first move DO NOT scratch her belly, if you do, you cant stop with out being nipped. IF you let her come to you first, you are friends for life and can scratch her belly and when you are done, she will lick you.

They are who they are and there are some agressive things that are part of who they are. With this type of breed, there is alot to consider.

Karen Pryor talks about that lick in some of her work regarding both dogs and wolves. Basically, it's a form of "thank you for respecting my terms." Odin is a little more protective around men, so when we met our last nosework instructor, I explained to the guy that he was a bit civil and how to proceed. Everything when smoothly and Odin greeted him with one lick after the initial run and the rest of the classes he loved him.

[centrop67]

I think it's important to consider the terms 'aggression' and 'bad behavior' as labels we assign when we don't understand or accept how the dog is acting.

First and foremost, these dogs are bred to be independent thinkers - to protect and corral the flock. They will do what they perceive is right until they learn a more human acceptable behavior, so there is usually a long road towards training those behaviors.

I guess you're lucky with your first, but it is highly likely that you will need to invest a great deal of love, patience, and training to mold the next one into the dog you want. If you can do that, then I don't think you'll have any problems with a 2nd Dutch.

[Dutchringgirl]

Centrop67 that is well said about what labels we put on their behavior and what their job is, so very true.

Stephanie, Ill have to look up Karen Pryor and her view on licking. I believe a lot of Sadies licking is insecurity, but I would love to see what Karen says.

[kellyesuzette]

Johninny-

Before we figured out Possum's breed, a lot of people totally thought she was part pit bull!! She doesn't look anything like a pit, except for her coloring. I'll see if I can figure out how to post some pics. I don't have any good ones of her posing or anything, just some of her playing with the kids and stuff like that.

[kellyesuzette]

Let's see if this works... This should be a picture of Possum and me...

[kellyesuzette]

Oh! It worked! It's kinda big, sorry. Here are some more...

By the way, you can probably tell by our pictures that we are a little bit redneck

[Schlussdibusti]

super cute pics.
the little frenchie looks like trouble

[Dutchringgirl]

Very cute !!! I can see where people would think Pitt, she has a stocky head..