After reading the numerous stories on dog attacks and children I'm beginning to rethink the idea of getting my dog involved in Schutzhund.I own 2 GSD's.One 4yrs. old who is trained in obedience but nothing more than a companion and a 10mos.old who I had high hopes for but after reading a couple articles about Shutzhund trained dogs attacking and killing a boy(Ed's article)I'm curious if there can be a balance between a Shutzhund trained dog and a dog that is trustworthy and confident enough to be around children.I couldn't imagine how I would feel if one of my dogs hurt someone due to my inability to control them.I'm sure a lot of it has to do with temperament and owner responsibility,but am I fooling myself thinking I can have the best of both worlds-meaning a dog that can perform well in the sport but also be trusted around other people?--Or should I consider another route in training.I've read a lot of books on GSD's and watched a couple of Ed's vidoes and trained extensively with my dogs but even I know that does not make me an expert by any means.Any thoughts on this?

As long as the owner is responsible and the trainer is GREAT you should have no problems. I have been around many trained police dogs and they are big mushes until told to be otherwise. (at least in my dealings)

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As long as the owner is responsible and the trainer is GREAT you should have no problems.......

Some of the best-trained dogs I know are SchH dogs.

Thanks for the input.I try to be a responsible owner.I've always been a bit bias when it comes to GSD's(no offense to you other breed owners)but I'm also aware of the inherit dangers that come with owning a dog of this caliber.I too have had contact with many remarkable police dogs,as well as Schutzhund dogs,that being said I still feel a dog is a dog and they still have teeth,accidents happen so I will proceed with caution.I chose Schutzhund because I feel that is the best way to bring out all the potential the GSD has to offer,but being a novice owner as I'm sure all of you can tell I'm still a bit weary and want to do right by my dogs.

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....I've always been a bit bias when it comes to GSD's(no offense to you other breed owners).....

Me too. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> A GSD person from way back...........

Oh yes! I'm a GSD person too, even when they are blowing coat in the house. We're are not completely dressed around here unless we have our dog hair.

Love me, love my dogs.

OK Micheal - where have I said that that a Sch trained dog killed a child? Eithern I need to rewrite a article or you read more into an article than nwas meant


Ed

Michael, were you talking about this one?

http://www.leerburg.com/rot-kill.htm

Those are NOT Schutzhund dogs by any stretch. That owner was thrown out of schutzhund clubs. Reread the article if that was your impression....

Michael, no one factor can predict that a dog will or won't bite a child. For my and my family I wanted a working dog pup with a good temperament and nerves and, fortunately, that's what he grew into. I socialized my pup with, among many other things, children. Some thing "socialization" is let the pups and kids run loose together. That's the WORST thing you can do. With anything your pup does you want to guarantee the pup has a positive experience. And obviously you want to train the dog so that it comes, stays, sits, etc. when you tell it.

One's success with the above-mentioned, or lack of, is a far greater determiner of whether or not a dog will bite a child than whether or not the dog is titled in anything. There are plenty of dogs who've never been taught to sit on command that will bite a child. Proper Schutzhund or protection training is not going to increase the likelihood of an accidental or unprovoked bite. In fact a good argument can be made that a working dog should be trained in bitework if, for nothing else, to prevent such an occurence.

In the end nobody can predict with 100% certainty that a dog won't bite a child just like there is no way to predict that one's spouse, friend, etc. will have a psychotic episode and butcher their entire family. I'm not being glib, it happens.

Good luck!

I'm a complete moron when it comes to this stuff...so forgive the simple metaphor / analogy.

I would MUCH rather have a gun that the trigger is generally pulled when the owner decides to pull it...versus a gun that could go off at any moment.

A well trained dog is a more predictable dog...no two ways about it. If your dog does not have the temperament to do the work, training him properly will only highlight those flaws. All dogs will bite...PPD work as well as Schutzhund only trains the animal when it's OK to bite or get aggressive. Give me a well trained dog that understands its place in the pack anyday of the week over an animal who has been left to his natural instincts....

Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, if so I'm sorry...