My husband and I are looking into getting my parents a GSD. We always had a GSD when I was growing up. I think during her life she's had 5. When the last one died in 1999 she said she couldn't bear to get another because Kurt was such a well tempered, well behaved dog.
Since she and my dad are in their 60's, the last son moved out of the house last year, and my dad retired, I think they would really enjoy having a GSD again. They live on a 3 acre wooded lot that is fenced. I also want them to have one for personal protection. They live in a good neighborhood but like I said, they're getting old.
The only thing thats keeping me from finding one is the training. I know my mom said she doesn't really have the energy to train the dog like she used to. And she doesn't see the point of having a dog unless you are utilizing it to its full potential. (I totally agree)
So...does anyone know a really great place around St. Louis Mo, Chicago or anywhere in between that trains or raises personal protection GSDs?
My husband and I are looking into getting my parents a GSD....When the last one died in 1999 she said she couldn't bear to get another because Kurt was such a well tempered, well behaved dog... I think they would really enjoy having a GSD again....I also want them to have one for personal protection. ... I know my mom said she doesn't really have the energy to train the dog like she used to.
Lucy,
Every comment in your post speaks to what you want for your parents, as opposed to what they want.
Please confirm with them that they actually want another GSD before finding one for them.
Even if you find a trained dog for them, they will have to maintain that training by...training. It doesn't sound like your parents have the time or energy to put into this kind of maintenance.
I realize your heart is in the right place, but second-guessing people by getting them pets they have said they don't want isn't such a great idea.
After I re-read my post I have to agree but I've talked to them about it. My mother would love another dog. Sorry I didn't convey that before.
Infact, when I talked to her this morning she said she would actually want to train the dog herself. She and my dad just aren't up to going out and finding one for themselves. My husband and I thought it would be a good 45th wedding anniversary present to them.
Once again, I apologize for the earlier post. I wasn't really thinking about it like that since I'd already talked to them and we're trying to keep it a secret at least until we find a good breeder.
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*True* personal protection dogs require a LOT of training, both initially and on-going.
What actually fits better for a lot of people is a well trained rock solid dog with good ob and an alert on command. I have an 8 month old male that for mpnths people have given wide berth to just because he is intimadating looking. And he's all puppy yet!
...I've talked to them about it. My mother would love another dog... Infact, when I talked to her this morning she said she would actually want to train the dog herself. She and my dad just aren't up to going out and finding one for themselves.
Well, then, that's a horse of a different color<g>.
I totally agree with Betty's advice...a well-trained GSD with an alert-on-command is an awfully strong deterrent.
I don't know anything more about true protection dogs than what I've read over time on this site. You might want to use the search function to check out some of those threads.
There seem to be an awful lot of "protection trained" dogs out there that cost mega-bucks and are pretty much worthless for that intended purpose.
Once again let me clarify. I'm a little spacey today lol! She wants to train the dog herself so really training isn't an issue. I just used the term "protection" as a way of describing how she will use the dog.
Betty's right. Protection dogs do take a lot of work. You would also be surprised at what a good sound dog will be able to do when the chips are down. Back when I was 16-17 abouts I wanted to train my own protection dog more than anything. I bought a good puppy from a good breeder (Over $500 which was a whole lot back then for an 8 week puppy). She would be considered working line today but I don't think much distinction was made back then since the lines hadn't diverged much. She came from a long line of dogs trained for protection and police work.
My parents didn't let me train her however so I just raised her as a pet. She was a great dog and the two times she needed to really protect someone she performed perfectly. I couldn't have asked more from her if she had been trained. Other than those two times however she was the most gentle loving dog you have ever seen.
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