There are so many forums here so forgive me if this isn't posted in the correct spot. We are in need of some urgent help. Please don't tell me how wrong we were in the purchase - it's past - would I do it again? NO, but here we are today...

4 months ago we purchased a 2.5 year old GSD female. Completely Schutzhund Level III; high scores in all 3. We had many talks with the kennel owner being very specific that we had 18 month old grandbabe visitor very frequently; large quantities of small children at our home that come to our door as we garden extensively and they love to pick flowers and veggies. Obviously, we paid (although money isn't the issue here) a pretty penny for what we thought and were led to believe was the pal of our lifetime.

Fast forward....we had her spayed - everything went great. She's trained on "double ball" retrieval system and gets at least 1 -2 hours per day of real exercise. We have hand fed her from day one exactly per specifications of the breeder. We groom her 3x a week, she sleeps on the floor of our bedroom.

Children come over and she growls; 2 weeks ago she lunged at an 8 year old child - these are NOT wild children.... 1 week ago while playing ball in the evening with her, she went for my hand instead of the ball and it was horrible. I'll have some pretty extensive mobility issues for a long, long time and upcoming nerve repair surgery. When the bite occurred, I was lucky to have my cell phone with me and hit dial 911 with my chin. She was completely unresponsive to my crying in pain laying there in the yard bleeding everywhere - she just picked up her ball and took it to chew on.

It was a few days before I could contact the breeder as I could not type, etc. I can't begin to tell you the disappointment at the response.

My son (who has 4 dogs of his own), is UNDERSTANDABLY uncomfortable about coming over - our only grandbabe - I don't even want him over for fear.

Please help - what do I do?

1. What was the breeder's response?
2. Did you sign a contract or agreement of any kind?

I hope someone on here has some good advice for you! That's terrible.

1. Crate the dog when children are there. NO EXCEPTIONS. Children come over and she growls, and yet she was loose to lunge at a child two weeks ago??

2. Then get help. Call around, ask at clubs for recommendations, ask forum members here (what city are you near?), and get an on-site eval. Not at someone else's place, IMO.

I would ask you what training you're doing and many more questions, such as your experience level, what the breeder said, when the growling started, and more, but not to get at all sidetracked:

CRATE THE DOG when children are there, and get help.

All JMO.

What was the breeder's response? Do you have a contract? What does it say? What recourse do you have according to the contract?

I'm sorry this has happened to you. If I had your exact same situation and wanted to keep everything the same (son and grandchild and children coming over), I'd find another home for the dog if the breeder doesn't have to take it back and won't. I'm not a person to get rid of a dog, so I don't say this lightly. It's what I would do.

You can do all sorts of pack structure with this dog, but I feel the dog has shown her colors and you'll never be sure with her around children. My opinion.

She was on leash - she is never off leash with any visitors.

It was not an attack in my opinion - the ball is on an 8" string and she got my hand, not the ball.

Experience level - 9 years with an Argentine Dogo - male - who was the sweetest (yet tough) animal I've ever known. Would cuddle with friends babies, bark but never go after strangers. Training was not a high level like Schutzhund, but Obedience.

Australian Cattle Dog who was deaf and did agility.

I don't want to mention the breeder's name unless approved by the Admins here - I'm not here to bad mouth someone, but am so darn disappointed in the response from him.

I have a trainer coming tomorrow - the folks we have talked to so far say we're in a bad situation - right now, I feel like I'm a prisoner.

Dea, in case you missed it in Connie's response, crate her. You bought a fully trained Sch.III dog and have had her four months. You probably need more time to learn how to work with her. I wouldnt cut off communication with the breeder just yet, it could be helpful for the trainer to find out how she was trained. Also, hopefully this is a trainer that has experience with a working dog, not just some "behaviorist" someone recommended.

Thanks Steve. Sorry if I sound panicky - it's not my nature. Yes, she is crated - it's right here in the kitchen and of course now, she's crated rather than on leash if anyone comes to the door.

I would LOVE to communicate with the "Seller", but his response - hence my disappointment was "take the ball away" and then zilch. He will not answer any emails now. This is a seriously highly regarded GSD Shutzhund Handler / Importer / Trainer / Provider of training videos, etc

We really did do our homework folks. We contacted Schutzhund judges around the country asking their opinion of our source, asking please if they would just be honest in giving us an assessment.

We have taken her to a Schutzhund club here in our area for various training sessions even though the Seller said that was completely un-necessary.

I really apologize being new here if I have come across as super needy. Just didn't know where else to turn. Thanks for your thoughts - truly appreciated.

Edited to say that we are not super wealthy people, but this was the purchase of a lifetime for us and $20,000 for our girl who was promised to be "great with kids" and very "sweet" - well...

Also, we take her to stores in and out - it's not like we've isolated her from people or anything.





Edited by Dea O'Hopp (05/27/2008 05:21 PM)
Edit reason: added info

If its a good club Dea, I think it would help you to continue going, I don't see why learning to work with your Sch. dog would be unnecessary. I'm not knocking anyone here Dea, but this dog is different from your experience and a good club is a great place to go.

Hi Dea,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Is this a new issue with your girl? On the breeder's website's satisfied customer page you list her as gentle with children. No, I am not psychic, just did a google search ;-)

I agree with the advice to crate her for the time being. What did the schutzhund club say when you brought her in for training? Also, what was your intent for her? Do you intend for her to be a companion or something more like a PPD?

I would have her evaluated and make a decision as to whether this is too much dog for you and your family to handle or if there is something that you all can work on to correct. You have come to a good place for advice on these sort of issues.

Good luck!