So, I know I've been saying it'll be awhile before I get a GSD because I didn't think my situation allowed for it. However, things have shifted and my home is really no longer puppy-friendly: three days of the week we are gone from 7AM 'til about 3:15PM and you just can't ask a puppy to stay crated without pottying for that long!

I work at a boarding kennel that also runs a small (6-12 dog) non profit adoption facility. We take a lot of dogs from other shelters that aren't "popular" -- a lot of pit bull, GSD, Rottie, Dobe crosses. They are often the BEST dogs. (If you ever know anyone in MA looking for an awesome companion dog, PM me!) Anyway, there's this 18mo. old GSD bitch available for adoption right now who I have completely fallen in love with as an obedience/agility prospect. She is definately not a PPD/Sch prospect. I think she was raised by Golden Retrievers -- she is all cuddles and kisses.

Her only "problem" is that she has cataracts. The shelter is currently raising money for her operation as the vet feels she would benefit from the surgery as the cataracts are getting worse. (I don't think we are supposed to solicit donations, but if you are interested in sending us money, I can give you the link via PM.) I would guess that her eyesight is at about 80%. She has problems focusing on things over her head and doesn't seem to realize anything's there -- when playing fetch, she doesn't seem to notice if you throw a toy over her head. To the left/right/in front of her, she can see it and will retrieve it. I plan to adopt her post-surgery as I definately do NOT have the $1500+ for the surgery!

Beyond the cataracts, she is an amazing dog. She has a bit of basic obedience -- walks politely on a leash, sits, comes when called -- and plenty of prey drive (loves her toys!). Whenever I am working/playing with her, she makes great eye contact and is legitimately interested in me and what I want to do. She is housetrained and crate trained (we are a crated kennel), takes treats politely, knows her name... In short, I'm completely in love with her!

Her only problem is relatively minor, but I wanted your opinion as to whether or not you think it could escalate -- I personally don't think so but I haven't been training too long and could always be wrong. When she initially meets people she barks. Not aggressively and not like a maniac, just a few short barks. After a couple of corrections and walking with her in close proximity to the new people, she's totally fine and becomes a big sweetheart, giving out kisses, accepting cookies/petting, etc. As a dog person, I don't find this frightening or even unsettling at all; she quickly "gets over it" with a couple of corrections and there is no hint of aggression or fear. It's more confusion, almost, if that makes any sense -- like she's trying to figure out who this person is in front of her. I think it may be linked to the eyesight.

So do you think this is a major problem, or could be trained out of her? I'm optimistic, but wanted opinions.

I don't think it's a problem if it's only a few barks and she responds to corrections...but then again, I live with a terrier. A few barks would be my dream come true.

I dog-sat a blind dog for a few weeks once and read up on visually-impaired dogs (and may I insert a plug for the godsend of a book that helped me every step: Living with Blind Dogs by Levin, C.), and I read that the sudden appearance of a looming presence that had not been visible in the peripheral vision can indeed trigger barking.

So, as you mentioned, this may be a non-issue after the surgery.

If not, and if you do find it a problem, it can be trained.

With your explanation of it, I also do not see it as an escalation thing. JMO.

She sounds like a great dog. If the barking is not aggressive I would say it could be trained out.

With my (weak nerved) border collie x, she barks at any perceived threat outside my home. She stops if I "check" out the window.

This dog may be "alerting" you to something that surprised her. It might help her if you step forward when she barks, so she sees you are alpha and you will take care of any potential problem. I'll bet the problem is reduced or eliminated by surgery.