Ok.. so heres what happened..

I'm in the pet store with my in 5 days, six month old GSD, Apollo. And some woman flipped out when she saw him. Started screaming "OMG A GERMAN SHEPHERD.. I WAS ATTACKED BY ONE"

He was there because Im still working on socializing him, he's still nervous around new people, when they approach he sometimes hides behind me. So this set him back a little. He picked up on her fear and in return it made him afraid so he started barking & growling, making the woman panic more and then making Apollo freak out more.

This totally made me mad because I knew it could of have last effects on him. So I told the woman, you're scaring my puppy, he's just a baby! And started to walk away. She frantically grabbed her daughter that was (b4 he barked) interested and un-afraid of my puppy and almost pulled her arm off draggin her out of the store. Yelling the whole way "omg omg mommy was attacked by one of those dogs omg omg"

I couldn't keep quiet. I had to say "Thats not a smart thing to do, you're instilling YOUR fear into your child"

UGH! Some people bug me.

So.. What would have been the propper way to handle my dog in this situation?

thanks
Maizie

I concure, it happens to me at the park every time I go there with my kids and Max, but don't you sometimes feel better when some unpleasant looking person, walks across the street to avoid you and your 90 Lb precious? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Because I'm utterly paranoid when socializing puppies, I always bring along an especially good toy/food when we hit the malls, greenhouse, etc. If we encounter any problems i.e. person overreacting I immediately go into "let's work for our toy/food". It directs the puppy's attention away from a "scary situation" and helps you diffuse your anger towards the goofball in question because you're too busy teaching your puppy to sit, down, focus, etc. Don't know if it's a correct training method, but it seems to work for me! P.S. Greenhouses are great for socializing puppies because if there is an "accident" it's generally on a dirt floor and is more forgivable than on lino. Just make sure he/she isn't gulping down on the plants as you stroll your way down the aisles! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm with Laurie on this one and it's also why I also bring toys/food when I'm out socializing.

And, actually, 'socializing' to me is exposing my dogs to any and everything I can think of (or not) so that nothing will bother them for more than a second when they are adults. Much as that lady was inappropriate and over-reacting, she did what other people sometimes do when they see large dogs. And this was a great opportunity to show your dog that some people are loud, act strange, but that's part of life. We are ok and eating chicken over here.

I've had police suddenly start up their sirens while driving past me and my dogs on the side walk. I've had buses suddenly rev up and blast out deisel fumes as they pass us. I've had children suddenly scream near us (not associated with us at all), and more other sudden and startling events than I can remember. I see them as what socialization is all about. Being out in the real world has always been full of sudden surprises and I use all my socialization times to do the best to prepare my pups (and myself) for these times.

It really is tough to take your dog out and find that most folks are frightened of him/her. We were careful in most socializing situations to watch for folks that were afraid, as our pup cued right in on the fear and it caused him not to cower, but to display aggression. Smelling fear seemed to increase his prey drive. You won't receive such negative responses when the pup is younger, but as it matures beyond a year is when most folks really seem afraid.

My husband and I have watched folks cross the street to void walking beside us. Our pup is 19 mos. old and 121 lbs. He has a medium coat and is silver sable. As a result of his unusually long legs and fur color most folks take him for a wolf hybrid. Perhaps that is why people shy away from him. In any case, letting your dog see these behaviors isn't great! All he understands is the fear he smells. God knows what goes through their heads. I can tell you that our pup interprets the fear as weakness and if allowed would hassle the person(s). Ugly, but natural.

Try to set up social situations that you can control--ones where you know the folks the pup comes into contact with so that he can see level human behaviors. Then up the anti and take him out and about so that he can learn all the nuances in human conduct and interaction. It takes time, but it will be so worth it!

The only time I'm amused by reactions to our pup occurs on mountain walks. If Tyr sees another dog he will run, full force, ears forward towards the other dogs. He looks ferocious, but has never bitten another dog, never mouthed another dog, never gotten into any type of hassle with any dog. Most of the dogs turn tail and begin to run. Tyr loves this and gives chase as we yell to their masters that he won't hurt their dog. Other, assertive dogs, will run straight at him, expecting to have a fight on their hands. Nothing ever materializes once he licks their faces. But, I'm sure their owners freak. One day Tyr saw a Taco Bell look alike dog. He was hell bent on getting to it as he loves very small dogs! The owner was screaming that his dog was going to die. As Tyr approached he slowed down, dropped down on his belly and sniffed the peeing doggie. Pretty soon the dog was jumping all over Tyr, using him as a trampoline. Tyr soaked him with slober with numerous licks and kisses. The owner was so impressed he asked that we get together to let his dog play with Tyr as his dog was scared to death of big dogs and Tyr was the only large dog he had gotten used to. We still see them on hikes and they love to play. They are a hoot.

Having a good shepherd is the best representation for the breed. An overly aggressive or fearful barker just keeps folks feeling edgy about the GSD. So sad, because they can be great dogs if worked with consistently!

The chicken is a very good idea and lower in fat then hotdogs. I usually use dog treats but I think I will switch and use the chicken, im sure he would focus on me much more intently. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But um, cooked or raw? lol

He was doing great for a little while. He started to walk up to people to smell their hand looking for treats. I would tell people if he didn't want to be petted, dont force it.

But now that its cold, no one has time to stop and help me socialize him. We would stand outfront of walmart or the grocery store, and for a time passer, we would sit on the steps at our library and just watch people. If anyone wanted to stop and talk, I would give them a treat they could offer Apollo. But people change when its cold out. They tend not to stop anymore, just walk by.

Traffic doesn't bother him one bit. I live close to a busy road, and he sees/hears traffic all day. So thats not an issue.

My biggest fear is kids. He barked at a toddler in petco. No kids will play with him because he is so mouthy lol. With the kids he knows all he wants to do is eat their hands, pant legs and man does he love hair scrunchiis.

He likes my niece (5) and nephew (1), even though he has only seen them 4 times. (they live 2 states away) And he likes my friends 2 girls. But they all avoid him like the plegue lol. So he has to be crated if he gets too excited because you know how most parents are, life takers. If theres one scratch they will have your head on a platter.

I think I will start taking him for walks by the schools. Kids don't usually care if its cold lol. In the beginning I wont let any kids near him. I'll just let Apollo watch everyone from a distance. Then little by little if someone approaches, I will try to keep it as upbeat as possible and keep his focus on me and the chicken. And depending on how he is acting, I will see if someone wants to give him some chicken.

Hows that sound? Or should I try a different approach? Maybe take him by alot of people and teach him to focus on some chicken in my hand and ignore everyone/thing else?

Or go with the first idea for a little while then go with the second?

LOL @ me. Whats everyone think? I just want the best for my boy so.. fire away <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks a bunch
Maizie

People crack me up. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> When my gsd was 10 weeks old I couldn't keep people from loving him to death when we went for a walk. At 6 1/2 months he is really confused that going out in public no longer means everyone wants to pet him. Now when I take him to the pet store people pick up their kids and pull their untrained dogs away like we have some kind of disease. He has never shown any aggression towards people or animals and tends to be pretty stable in public. Oh well, it's their loss...he's a great pup. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi,

Reading your stories made me laugh. It also made me very sad.

In my opinion the woman did overreact. However, who am I to say that? After all, she was BITTEN by a dog. You don't know if prior to that incident she was comfortable around dogs in the first place. Another thing to consider is her age at the time of the attack. She could have been very young.

Another thing I have to say is I have never been bitten by dog (thank goodness) and I am cofortable around them. I like to see them and pet them if the owner allows me to. Have you seen the pictures ont his web site of the dog bites? Pretty scary.

Another thing to consider is that many people are not very responsible dog owners. (I am not saying that you are an irresponsible owner.) I am just stating a fact. I will give an example.

Recently, a little girl in Austin, Texas was attacked by a pack of dogs. I believe there were 5 of them. My friend told me that the owner of the dogs let them run loose and fed them outside. (I don't know if she owned all or some of them) One or more of the dogs was shot. One is injured and they can't find it. Do you think that little girl will ever be able to be trusting around dogs? This is thanks, in part, to one woman's stupidity.

I will say I am glad you posted this. I don't have my GSD yet and never considered that people will automatically be afraid of it just because of his breed. I know this happens a lot with Pitbulls and Rotties It is just one more thing I will have to "file" and deal with accordingly when I get my dog.

Carolyn

I was bitten by a GSD twice when I was a kid. Once on the forehead (which I don't remember because I was so young) and the second time on the cheek - clear through so you could see my teeth and gums (thank GOD! for good plastic surgeons because it looks like a dimple now). The second time I remember quite clearly and it was my own fault - I was playing hide and seek with the dog and jumped out and screamed BOO! when it was coming around a corner. I was never mad at the dog and kept crying that it was not his fault, that I scared him, however, the owners put him down after the second time.

When people see me and my 90lb Golden and tell me they are afraid of big dogs because they were bitten, I tell them that I was too and ask them their story. Meanwhile, I am petting and calming my dog, and trying to diffuse their anxieties. He's usually sprawled out on his back at this point and we are well into a good ol' belly rub.

More often than not, by the time our conversation is ending, they are petting my dog and seem to be more at ease. Granted, Goldens are not seen as vicious attack dogs, but the size of him is quite overwhelming and intimidating. I think educating and leading by example (being a responsible owner) will help change the unfortunate stereotypes many dogs do not deserve.

kATE,

I am in pain just thinking about your bite.

Some people can get over traumatic things others can't.

As a rule of thumb whenever we (I have a child) are being approached or are approaching a dog, I make sure I have a firm hold of my son. I don't know if the dog likes children, if it's well mannered et cetera. This is just a precautionary measure on my part. That is my responsibility as a parent.

As I stated before, I believe that woman overreacted. That is my opinion. However, it obviously had a traumatic effect on her.

I had this discussion with a family member about pits and rotties. I am no expert on either breed. I tried to explain that dogs are influenced by genetics, handlers et cetera. My family members response was, "I don't want any part of those dogs at all". I made good points and cited examples but they would not budge.

I remember after the Diane Whipple incident in CA demand went up for the type of dogs that killed her. How many of the people interested do you think will be "responsible" about the ownership of these types of dogs?