Posted: 11/30/2004 3:29:14 PM EDT
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I work at the Humane Society and we recently got a dog in that is a purebred German Shepherd. He is a 2 1/2 year old male. He is well trained and listens very well, even when he is excited. He (Max) was turned in for turning on the owner's 15 year-old son. Max started acting wierd 2 weeks before he was turned in (he has been at the shelter since last wednesday). It is not uncommon for owners to turn in their animals during the hoilday's. Anyway, the owner said that he started being aggressive toward his son after an incident with a young black male with the same build as his son. The owner said that Max was in the bed of his truck and that kid came up and starting f@#^&*! with him, which pissed Max off, rightfully so I think. So the owner said that ever since then he does not like his son or black people in general. Since Max has been at the shelter he has not shown any kind of aggression towards any of the staff including the peolpe who are black. Although he did show some aggression on the first day, but most dogs do, especially the one's who have been turned in by their owners. All that is happening is that they are scared and there's all these new smells etc. Well I have been working with Max since he arrived at the shelter mainly because I love that breed of dog. After a couple of hours I went to his pen and feed him some turkey. after that I could do anything I want to him and he just doesn't care. I can even put my hand in his mouth and move it around and he could care less. I was giving him a treat and I deliberatly put my fingers in his mouth and he tried everything he could not to use his teeth. He ended up using his tounge to get the treat. He is the biggest baby and the most laid back dog I have ever meet. I really do not believe that that is the whole story. Here are the theries that I have come up with: 1. Max was not aggressive enough and the owner particulary chose that breed for the characteristics of him being protective. 2. The kid found Max chewing on something of his and slapped the shit out of him, causing the dog to turn against him. 3. The dog was getting on his wife's nerves and she made her husband get rid of him before the holidays. I am bringing this up because the director of the Humane Society is concerned about putting the dog up for adoption for the public, but I have a chance to adopt him. Which I would love to do because I would hate to see a dog that well trained and good natured be put down for something that he didn't even do. Has anyone heard of a German Shepherd turning on people that it has known for yeaes for no reason? |
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Thats my favorite breed, great dogs. That being said they are naturally pretty aggressive, not crazy but they need an owner with a strong grip if you know what I mean. I have heard of them snapping at people for no apparent reason but there were often other factors involved. The basic behavior of the breed is protection (not fighting, like Chows or Pits), if someone unknown comes into the yard they get VERY tense and will not let them near you or the family, you need to have them well trained and under control. From what you said about Max, it doesn't sound like he did anything outlandish. I'd probably adopt him. |
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Got a German Shepherd 8 week old puppy (purebred with AKC paper) many years ago I was 15. I was his master and caretaker 95% of the time. Well when I turned 18 I joined the ARMY. Came back for good about 3 years later."Teddy" remembered me but he was pissed. He would just sit there and look at me and growl real softly.It took him awhile to warm up to me and when he finally did everything was fine. Dogs can and will hold grudges. If a person or kid teases the dog especially from the other side of the fence ,WATCHOUT. |
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If you were a bit closer I would take the dog! Kids (especially teenage boys) can be real fucktards to animals. The kid might of had a habit of teasing the dog. And the kid is not going to be the "alpha male" of the household so the dog probably went medieval on little Rodney (if he was being teased). No biggie... |
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Max's last owner is SOOoooo full of shit his eyes are dark brown! IM me for detailed info, but rest assured that Max is NOT the problem here...dumbasses who should never be allowed to own a serious dog ARE! How old is this dog? He may just be experiencing the very natural "rank" drives that come with advancing maturity, and Danny Dumbasses son may have done something that should not be done with a more dominate dog unless you understand what the fuck you are doing and why. I say take him! He is most likely a very nice dog. Me, I would give most dogs positive points for biting most fucktard owners I know! TAKE HIM! |
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I'd say it's an owner issue. If you can & have the time/space for him it sounds like he'd be a great dog. I rescued 3 Dobies over the years & they were all terrific dogs. While they can/do hold a grudge, they also seem to remember you rescued them & are faithful friends for life. Best of luck. Hopefully, if you can't take him there is another ARFCom member nearby who can. |
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This is an interesting thread. I just got a Shephard from my neighbor two months ago. He just keeps getting better and better. Very loving and loyal. Very smart animal. Very protective. We are gonna start formal training soon. It's good to hear this stuff. I always want to learn more. This dog is REALLY growing on me. His name is Shultz, named after the Hogan's Heroes TV series. "I know NOTHING!!" |
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You should take him home while you have the chance. Our GS was from a kennel. He was about three months old when we brought him home, god I love that dog. He is great with us and with the kids, never showed his teeth to us once, but boy a stranger comes to the door and he goes nuts! I can’t even rough play with the kids, he gets pissed at me and starts grabbing my arm’s! I have to keep him out in the garage when people come to visit. Even if my sister comes to visit he stays between us and her, blocking us with his body. He follows me around the house and where ever I stop he lays down at my feet. He constantly patrols the house and keeps watch. I'd swear his parents must have been bred as police or personal protection dogs and he inherited their genetics and training! |
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I had a frost and black female for 13 years. I had to have her put down because of cancer this paast March. Artemis was a fantastic dog. She had the most even temperment. I will have another one. The only dog I would have before another GS is a Catahoula Leopard. Bet damn good money it was a parent issue with the dog. They just had to rationalize it away by saying it turned on a child. Chances are that story is bullshit. |
| Was abyone elses Shep a great big wuss at about 4 months? Not that I mind, I don't care, I think it's funny. As long as he barks at trouble or strangers, which he already does, I'm happy and he's done his job. When he meets an unfamiliar dog he runs away yelping at the top of his lungs. It really hard not to laugh. He eventually makes his way under my legs for protection. He's getting braver as he gets older, but man what a difference from the way my other dog was as a pup. She was absolutely fearless. Is this common? |
| ive owned 2 german shepards,the first one lived to be 8(had to put him down because of the hip problem they have)second one lived to be 13.....had to put him down because he was just to old...couldnt get around anymore......best dog you will ever own....never had a single problem in 20 plus years of owning a german shepard.....both my daughters as infants would crawl all over them and they wouldnt do anything but lick them...let them start crying and the dog is the first to see whats wrong.......i went in the army in 1978 and had to leave the first one with my parents...well they didnt want to keep him so they gave him to guy who owned a farm about 12 miles away.....the guy took him to the farm and chained him up for the night so he would get used to being there.....sometime during the night the dog CHEWED through the chain and found his way 12 miles back to parents house...when my parents got up the next morning he was laying on the front porch like nothing had happened...they decided he knew where his home was.........personnelly i think who ever owned the shepard you are asking about just didnt want the dog....take him home with you and give him a good home.......youll have a friend for life. |
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I will know for sure if I am able to adopt him, but another concern is I have 2 other animals. One is a GS/Chow mix( 32 lbs. very small) and I also have a deranged gray kitten that I love dearly. I am not worried about my shep X getting along with him, because she is one of the most sweetest dogs I have ever encountered and loves everything and everyone. Once she gets over her shyness. Another thing I noticed was signs of physical abuse. Which he will never get at my house. So now if he gets along with joker581 he is defentially coming home with me at the end of the day. I will let you all know the outcome within the next couple of days. Thanks for the input. |
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I guess dogs are like people and each are different... But, I have two friends with German Sheps and both have kids... Young children. Those dogs are so protective it is awsome, I have seen the kids throw shit, bite, pull, etc, on the dogs w/ no reaction.... The dog will walk off if it's too much. I scooped up one kid, being playful... She screeched a "Noooo" and the dog went ballistic ! I don't think it attacked because it knew me and often saw me playing with the kid. When/if I have a kid, I want a dog that will rip someones throat out if they hurt the child. I have always thought sheps were one of the most beautiful dogs around. I hope he finds a good home. |
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| When I was a kid, I was a safety that helped kids cross the street. I was just standing there and the people that lived in the corner got a shepard. It ran across the street and bit me in the knee. I am glad he didnt do it now because I would have shot the fucker. But that was the fault of the owner, he was messing with the dog in the middle of the street and he got excited and the stupid kid couldnt control it. |
He was only eight weeks when I got him, but the guy that had them hates animals. The dog had worms, and was very scared for such a little guy. I hope nothing happened to him, I do however suspect it did. When he snuck in my neighbors house to find me, my neighbor's wife reached down to throw him out by the collar because we were butchering a deer(no dogs allowed). He made an awful howl and peed all over the floor, even before she got hold of his collar. She was annoyed, but not angry. Poor little pup. Now we're more gentle with him. My neighbor felt kind of bad. I doubt that's normal behavior. |
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in my 14 years of dealing with the breed, i have noticed one that that openly stands out regarding GSD's. they have the ability to sense people with chemical imbalances of certain types. people with behavioral issues like depression with or without chemical treatment for that.. i have had a dozen or so dogs that were very well bred. balanced dogs..all SCH or K-9 trained that would absolutely corner...anyone that was "ODD".. you act odd around them..and they would back that ass up...and not in a good way. i had 3 people..i did a rough test on..when ever i got a new dog to train. a friend on lithium for depression.. one coworker who was a kook... and a family member that was on a series of scripts for depression. almost every dog..sensed...the oddity and brought it to my attention...by barking or an agressive move against the people themselves. THEY ARE NATURES protectors..one more reason well bred GSD's are one of the greatest animals ever planned.. kudos to VS for making the breed.. |
+100 We have a GS Mix (Very much GS but little smaller so I dont know what she is mixed with) She LOVES car rides. She just sits against the door or lays across the back seat and rides like a dream, no barking, no head out the window etc. If you go somewhere for the day and dont take her when you return she will snub you until you kiss her ass with doggy treats and she decides she's ready to forgive you for not taking her. Never seen a dog act so much like a woman. I would adopt it in a heartbeat. 98% of dogs are products of their owners and CAN be changed if the owner is patient and willing to put in the effort. Take'em home and you'll have a friend for life. GS's are arugably the best mix of intelligence, demeanor, protection, and family dog you can have. They are my first choice. S.O. |
| I have an all white 3 1/2 yr. old male. He has gotten more territorial with age. However as long as no aggressive moves are made toward him he will not attack. He will scare the shit out of most people even those he knows who tread on his territory. Runs full bore with shackles up growling and barking and will come in quite close and most think they are under attack. Away from home he acts differently as he is away from his turf, unless of course he is at grandma's house (territory #2).There is more to the story than is being told. Excellent guard dogs. You don't need alarms with one around the house. |
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I have posted on every dog thread that comes along. We have 2 GSDs and a golden...all 3 in the house with my little boy and stay at home wife. I'll never be without at least on Shep in the house. IM for details and help if you need it. Bless you for saving that guy from the chopping block. Whoever had him shouldn't ever have another animal. BTW...My big black and tan shep is also named Max...same personality and temperment. He's the goof of the house since he's the youngest. No responsibility in the pack at all. Signed, Kurt "Dogs are better than most people" Austin |
I have a White Female....she one great dog...with the kids she plays and plays...but when I'm not home...look out...anyone that tries to enter this house will lose a arm or worse... She is extremely protective.....If I was closer to GA, I would take him off your hands.... IMO, their are the best dog... |
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My wife and I have tried to find out where the limits are for our German Shepherd to get upset, and we found that the limits are further that we were willing to go. If the dog was dangerous it should have been destroyed. I think this guys conscience is bothering him and he couldn't do that, so he gave the dog a chance to be adopted. This guy got more dog than he or his family can handle. |
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**********sort of an update******************** I went to meet this dog today, and he is really cool. The only thing that worries me is his size. I don't have a huge yard, and I don't want him to feel cramped up in the house all the time. He is a playful dog, and I like him alot, but I don't know if my house and yard will be big enough. On the other hand, thanks to his owner, Max will not be available for adoption to the general public. The head lady at the humane society still has to confer with the lawyers to find out if it is even advisable for them to let a humane society employee take him. If not, he will be put down, or if I don't take him he will be put down. Under those circumstances, I don't think that cramped up in a small yard, with ample exercise out side the yard, is that bad an option for him. |
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I'd have to ask how bad the kid got bit. Are we talking a nip, or a mauling? That would be the deciding factor for me. I currently have 2 GSDs, (Kaja and Dante) and I love everything about the breed. Unfortunately, I had a bad one when I was a kid, about 10 y/o. I was playing football out in the yard with my dad. I ran past her (going out for a long pass, not paying attention to where I was) and as I ran past the dog--about 10 ft away--she lit into me. I wound up with 78 stitches and permanent scarring on both legs and both arms. This all happened before my dad could sprint the 20 yards to punt the dog off of me. I had had this dog for almost a year. She was about 6 months old when we adopted her from the Humane Society. She slept either on my bed, or at the foot of it. She shared my food. (I was 10 and snuck her scraps under the table...shhh, don't tell mom!) We went on walks, played frisbee, ran around in the woods, played fetch...the whole Boy and His Dog cliche'. She was MY dog, and she tore me up. I would definately try to find out more about the incident before I brought this dog into my home. BTW, there's a HUGE difference in a nip to tell a kid to 'quit f*ckin' with me' and the out and out attack I experienced. If the kid didn't need medical attention, the dog wasn't serious about the bite. |
| My understanding is that the dog may not have bitten the kid at all. He isn't being held for observation as is SOP for bite cases. The general feeling among myself, the humane society staff, and the dogs vet is that this was a bullshit story. Unfortunatly, since the owner said the dog was aggressive, sop is to put him down. The only thing preventing that is his the way he has carried himself around everyone. Now it is mostly up to the lawyers to decide what happens to him. If I can get him, I will, provided he doesn't have problems when I bring him home. |