Hi all,

Just joined the board. I have a 4 1/2yr old male gsd (Xator). I think he's a pretty shy dog. I got him @ 6months old and I don't know how much socialization he received before then. I should start off by saying that Xator is from west german show lines. (So I shouldn't except too much nerve, eh?) I got him before I knew anything about the various lines & types of GSDs. Just picked out a pretty face from an ad in a dog magazine.

Questionable acts:
- Whenever he thinks he sees/hears people fighting he'll go investigate (if on a leash he'll lunge & bark - if at home he'll barge into the room he thinks it's comming from)
- I took Xator to the Dominican Republic with me 2 summers ago. While there he became very protective of my nieces (ages 3 & 7). The 7yr old was getting spanked by her grandmother one day and he flew from his spot and started barking and lunging at the grandmother. (I caught him in mid-air about 2 feet from her face so I'm not sure what he would have done.)
- Xator had minor surgery last year and was required to stay at the vet for a few hours. (To remove some kind of growth on his gums) When I went to pick him up the vet told me that after Xator awoke, he hopped off the op table, walked into the waiting area - which luckily happened to be empty - and sat by the door. (Don't know how they allowed that to happen.) When the vet tried to grab his leash, he barked and growled at her. She eventually somehow managed to lock him into some room they have near the reception area.

Xator seems to accept strangers easily enough. (Let's people pet him in the street, snifs with wagging tail) He only barks when someone's at the door/comes into our yard.

Another thing - about how differently dogs can act when their owners are not present. When I'm not home, if he's outside he'll bark at all passerbyers. (I've never seen him do this.) And he doesn't let anyone else walk him. (He'll let anyone hold his leash if I'm walking too, but if someone - friends/family - tries to walk him away from me he'll stop after a few steps.)

Just wondering why he does these things. (fear, lack of confidence, or what?)

When is he shy? give more details

 Quote:

Originally posted by Ewa:
When is he shy? give more details

- He's occasionally weary of strange men in the house. (Barking/avoiding)
- An especially annoying one is the fact that he gets anxious during bouts of affection. I'll pet, kiss, and baby him a lot and after a while he'll start whining and trying to leave. (Don't know how after 4 years of it.) I've been assuming it's a sign of weak nerves. As I'm typing it, I'm like 'gee maybe I'm the one that's annoying.' <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

...if I think of anything else, I'll add to this list.

I really have not heard anything that he is shy or has poor nerves. It sounds more like he doesn't know all the memebers of your family and if he does he felt that the Grand Ma was hurting his child. Knowing this you need to place Xator in his kennel/crate when family and friends visit in your home.

I think its some dogs nature to check out unusually loud noise, especially if its owner is out of place. Strange people alway bring about a suspicous lear from most GSD until you tell them their ok, sometimes the dogs knows somethings you don't and he will stay on-guard.

The cuddling thing some dogs and people don't like prolong session of cuddling, it is annoying. I think the dog needs more Ob and socialization with different people and situations.

Its you not the dog so much, just like it is with me and most dog people. You gotta train him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

- An especially annoying one is the fact that he gets anxious during bouts of affection. I'll pet, kiss, and baby him a lot and after a while he'll start whining and trying to leave. (Don't know how after 4 years of it.) I've been assuming it's a sign of weak nerves. As I'm typing it, I'm like 'gee maybe I'm the one that's annoying.' <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hm, I'm not sure I understand your overall question, but on this point, I'd have to say that's not weak nerves, it's you being annoying! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm not big on "babying" dogs, especially insecure ones. This just adds to their insecurity, and gives them the idea that they are right to be fearful. A simple "good boy" and pat on the head will do more to instill confidence than a lot of stroking and cooing. With dominant dogs, "babying" can contribute to an overinflated sense of themselves; as if you worship them.
Nothing wrong with a little affection; we all like to love on our pooches (well, I do, anyway- I think he smells good!). Just don't overdo it.

Originally posted by L Swanston:
Hm, I'm not sure I understand your overall question...
I'm not sure I have one. I just thought some of his actions were odd for a soft dog and wanted to hear what people thought. And I guess I'm also wondering if he was truly being protective or if it was some odd manifestation of fear.

Can a shy dog gather himself enough to be protective?

Shyness in dogs is fear. Saying that a dog is shy is just a polite way of putting it.

As far as handling, I don't think that what you read meant baby talk, but rather, handling the feet, legs, head, ears, etc. Your dog should let you handle him. When you baby talk to your dog, it's quite possible that he's uncomfortable with it, as to him, it is you showing submission to him, which creates conflict within him.

Every dog is capable of defending himself. The problem is that you never know how far a dog needs to be pushed to do so, and if the dog has not been trained, he may not know how. If you're wondering if you can rely on your dog to protect you, I would say don't count on it. He may, but then again, he may not.

BTW, welcome to the forum! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the welcome and responces. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />