Hello all,

This is my first post and I'm very excited. I have a 6 month old GSD. Anytime he sees anyone he's excited to play, horse around, be pet, jump on the person (including my self), etc. During some greets he will actually try and bit. To me it doesn't seem like an act of an agressive dog as he's wagging hes tail at the same time but it occured to me that this dog might have weak nerves. I'm excited to hear anyone's comments on this.

Best regards,


Ramon Hernandez

Need more details but doesn't sound like weak nerves to me.

Ya, what makes you think this dog has weak nerves?

Just a note, dogs can be wagging their tails when aggressive.

But is there some sort of checklist for weak nerves?

(I'm curious for myself. I think Luc is more underexposed than weak nerved, but would be interested.)

Hi all,

Good questions I see. I don't have a checklist as to what would identify a weak nerve dog other then what I've read on this web site. Bottom line is my dog will sometimes try and take a bit out of someone when she's being greeted, playing with her and putting on her leash. Now these bits aren't cutting through my skin but right away I get alarmed and I say no and try to close her mouth shut until she comes down. Please tell me if I'm doing the wrong thing. I have 2 young boys (ages 7 & 3) and would like to avoid any accidents. I still have her on the leash in the house.

Best
Ramon Hernandez

Biting is rarely if ever a sign of weak nerves unless it is precluded by raised hackles, growling/showing teeth and an attempt at avoidance. A dog with weak nerves is afraid of the world. That is not what you describe, so be happy.

What you describe is a confident outgoing playful pup. This is exactly how a pup would greet one of it's littermates. The biting is play, as is the jumping. She is a normal little butthead, like most of our puppies. She needs to be taught positively that there are better things to bite that you and other humans, and that biting/mouthing you will not get her attention. Keep a toy/tug/ball on a string around to redirect her when she wants to bite.

As far as the kids, good for you for controlling all interaction. Read the articles on this web site and what works for me is the following... Small children run about squealing with their arms flailing and do all kinds of interesting things. This behavior triggers prey and herding instinct in our GSD's. If you want your pup to grow to be a dog that's great with kids you need to socialize the heck out of her with children. She needs to understand that children are a positive source of fun and joy provided she is CALM. This is also a two way street, the children need to be taught how to act around a dog. The 3 year old is a little young for this, not young to socialize the dog with but only in 100% controlled interaction (i.e. on leash). The 7 year old can be taught how to act if the dog gets too pushy (stand still - don't move or squeal and call you) and to be CALM. Use this opportunity to work with children and puppy in a CALM and controlled setting. Exercise the crap out of the pup, feed her, and then get to work with the three year old. Keep puppy on leash, but leave it as loose as you can (as long as she is not trying to pounce on the child) and show the 3 year old how to nicely pet the puppy and show the puppy how to nicely interact. Until a dog/pup proves to me that they can ignore a child that runs past them and totally control themselves with a calm clear head I will not allow any interaction with children unless on lead and supervised only by myself. Reward calm submissive behavior with treats and CALM praise. If puppy will not settle down or shows any signs of taking a dominant stance over the children all interaction is done. I start this process as early as possible with as many children as I can find. Teaching this to a 15 pound puppy is much easier than a 55 pound puppy since they are easier to control without much exertion. Freedom is earned. Your goal is CALM POSITIVE experiences with children for your puppy. I do everything possible to set up the proper environment to foster success so that I will not have to administer a correction to the puppy while interacting with children. Again, I want positive experiences. I start this process as early as possible with as many children as I can find. Any friends or family that have kids or that have kids visit are enlisted to help if at all possible.

John,

Thanks a lot. I'm a new dog owner as of September. I haven't had a GSD since I was a kid my self and want to do the right thing. Thanks to all for your input as well. I going to enlist my son's Judomates over and get this GSD of mine solicized in a hurry and on lead.

Thanks
Ramon

John, that was EXCELLENT advise.

Ramon, 1 thing that I'd like to emphasize is on the mutual respect between your boys and the dog. THIS IS A MUST. Too many times parents let their kids do as they please w/the dog and the dog can only take so much and retaliate. It may be a nip, a scratch or a full bite. Best thing to do is always supervise interaction when the kids are with the dog.

Your pup seems like a normal happy, go lucky puppy. That's good! When the time comes, you may be able to take the dog to the classes so he can become more used to seeing kids running and jumping. By teaching him to stay calm during these events, will create a very kid-stable dog. Make sure all the kids/people there treat your dog with respect and only when you say it's ok. Read as many of Ed's articles as you can. You will do fine.

so is hackling always a sign of weak nerves?

Hey Alex,

I hear you on that. I've been super careful about the interaction with dog to kids and kids to dog. There would be no way I would leave my kids with my dog alone b/c I know I'm not there yet. Plus at 6 months of age my dog would pummel my kids as she already big enough to run around and maybe kock me down and I'm a 2nd degree black belt in Judo. Thanks Alex and I'll supervise at all times.