May 18, 2011
My pup is 6 months old and friendly to everyone. Did I buy the wrong puppy because I want a protection dog?
Full Question:
Dear Mr. Frawley,Your web site is a wealth of information on GSD. It is the BEST - like an encyclopedia. Well, I have recently purchased a 6 month old female black/red GSD from a breeder in Palmdale, CA. The GSD has the sweetest temperament I have ever seen. I have had 8 dogs as pets in the past from toy breed to herding breed. This is the first time I have a German Shepherd as a pet.
This female GSD is adorable;however, she is friendly to everyone including strangers. Is this good for a GSD to be friendly to strangers as well? I would like her to be a good watchdog as she matures. Her sweet and friendly temperament surprises my friends and strangers. Will she naturally become more unfriendly to strangers as she grows older (she is 6 months old) or do I need to train her to become aggressive to strangers? If yes, how should I train her to be unfriendly (bark) at strangers when unfamiliar faces approach her kennel? Will she be able to be trained as a police dog given her sweet temperament? I noticed she barks at other dogs and growls. She is very loyal and follow my commands. She is very smart - a quick learner.
Furthermore, please share your insights regarding the interpretation of her pedigree shown on the AKC dog registration application. Shown on the application is "Sire: Mac Von Neu-Edingen and Dam: Arita Vom Kirschental." I tried to do some research to understand more about her pedigree as well as to verify to see if her pedigree has VA titles as stated by the breeder in Palmdale. I have utilized this web site www.schafer.is/english/search.html and I could not find any information about the Dam, Arita Vom Kirschental. What is the best source to learn more about my GSD's pedigree as well as to learn how to interpret pedigree document? Can you share your insights pertaining to my GSD's pedigree given the above information? Please advise.
Thank you very much in advance for sharing your insights to above questions. Much success to your web site!
Best regards,
A.K., CA, USA
Ed's Answer:
Sounds like you have a nice dog. You would not expect your 7 year old boy to protect your home – the same goes with a 6 month old puppy. They look at you as a pack leader and as such it's your job to protect your pack until the dog is an adult.
Dogs do not naturally become protection trained anymore than Michael Jordan’s boys naturally become professional basketball players. Your dog may or may not have the genetic for the training.
You will have to discuss bloodlines with your breeder – that’s his job not mine.
If you would like to start to learn about training I would recommend buying a few of my training videos.
Dogs do not naturally become protection trained anymore than Michael Jordan’s boys naturally become professional basketball players. Your dog may or may not have the genetic for the training.
You will have to discuss bloodlines with your breeder – that’s his job not mine.
If you would like to start to learn about training I would recommend buying a few of my training videos.
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