I am juming off into deep water here by admitting I am a novice at PPD, but here goes... I bought a two year old Czech male last week and have a question. He has been certified as a police K-9 and narcotics dog. I picked him up and spent three days alone with him before bringing him home. He follows me everywhere, never leaves my side. He tolerates my husband and teenaged son and is very docile and sweet to my four year old daughter. After a week, he is still shying away from husband and son, but will lay down in a relaxed way while they are in the room as long as I am there.
The question....should the other members of my family (after a great deal of bonding time has passed) expect to use commands with the same results that I do? Or, has this dog decided that I am his handler and will always only respond to me?
Since he ahs been trained for police work, I am not going to attempt to get him into Sch but will continue to go to a trainer to keep him sharp with his protection work.
Thanks for any suggestions
Marsha Rountree

Might be a question of semantics...however, "shying away from husband and teenage son" concerns me.

Yes dogs can bond to one person and tolerate others. However, just my feeling of the situation you describe...makes me wonder. Especially a 'certified' dog. Brings up the question of who certified and where.

Could be a situation of I've been "had" with the claim of certification. I have two certificates from the Pennsylvania Police K-9 Association. One is a certificate of achievement in protection and the other is a certificate in obedience from the same association but different judges and trial chairmen. Don't know anything about police dog certification but the dog's obedience response is first rate(when I do the commands)and I really like the dog.He has a Czech score book and has a BH. Like I said, I may have been completely taken for a ride with the certifications, but he certainly knows his stuff. I was told that if something makes him uncomfortable that he would go into another room to be by himself. He does do that, except when I am around. The shyness around family members does concern me, but maybe its just so obvious because he is so glued to me all the time. He goes to them and licks their faces when he wants to and will play ball with them. It just seems like every day when he sees them, he acts like it is the first time! He's only been here for 6 days and I am hoping that time will allow some bonding and adjusting to a very busy household.
Thanks for your reply, Todd and anone else that wants to chime in here with an opinion, I'd really appreciate it.
I've been reading all sections on this forum and really like the differing opinions and suggestions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Thanks,
Marsha Rountree

Shyness is absolutely the worst possible trait you want to see in a personal protection dog.

For whatever reason, it is a very bad sign.

I understand the reasons why shyness is a terrible trait in a PPD. It make sense. I'm not sure, however, that it is actually shyness in this dog. He is not shy when someone comes to the door or at other times you would expect a dog to exhibit shyness. I am thinking that since he has only been here for a week, that he is suspicious and untrusting rather than actually shy.
Hopefully I am not simply trying to justify a bad trait in a dog that I really like by thinking it is something other than what it really is.
Anyone know of a great PPD trainer in or around the Austin, Texas area that could work with us?
Thanks for the replies!
Marsha Rountree

To be blunt, a dog with a healthy temperament will not show shyness, period. The reason he is shying from your family is the exact same reason he is glued to you...he is insecure with people and only feels safe with you. A shy dog can still be trained to do bitework (I speak from experience, owning two right now that are shy yet do sport protection work). They can never be counted on to protect in the real sense of the word however. They can learn to enjoy the game and develop a comfort level that allows them to look good....up to a point. That's why your dog's certifications may be perfectly legit. But can you count on him to engage a total stranger who is hell bent on hurting you, your family or even just breaking in to your home? Absolutely not IMO.

Just read your post after typing mine....so how does this dog react when someone comes to the dog and actually enters the house (not just his reaction to the doorbell, while the door is still between him and the person, but as the person actually enters the house, meets him, etc.). Also how is he away from the house - has he 'greeted' anyone while on a walk or away from his own house? How does he react?

Lee- When someone comes to the door, he barks and then when I "invite" them in, he smells them, walks around them in a circle and then goes across the room, lies down and watches them. He doesn't ever want to become "friends" with them, but simply keeps and eye on them. After a while, he'll get up and go to other places in the room or house. He has "met" stangers on a walk and has stayed by my side and when I say "ok" he has approached them and sniffed an outstretched hand or their feet. He doesn't seem scared or skittish outside. His off lead obedience is very good and he seems confident in his obedience work. I have seen his bitework, and while it is of course not any proof whatsoever of his ability to genuinely protect, it is very good. Keeping in mind that I consider myself to be a novice with this kind of dog.
I understand what you are saying about shy dogs and their ability to protect....and what you say makes sense about why he is glued to me and hesitant with my family. If he is shy I would like to learn what I can do with him to further his training and to help him relax while he is in the house. He just has such a great personality and I hate thinking that he won't ever be comfortable in his home.
Thanks,
Marsha Rountree

Marsha I think your definition of the dogs behavior may have thrown us, you stated that the dog acted "shy", there is a difference in acting shy and aloof.

Shyiness is a sign of fearfulness or uncertaininess, in its self. This is an unwanted trait.

Aloofness is a sign of not trusting strangers, this is a normal trait of a GSD.

The dogs only been there 6 days, you got dogs with different personalities I mean you got the ones that no matter where they go, its my house.
Which would be harder to control then your dog.

Then you have the ones that are sure of themself just alittle unsure of what and who these new people I'm suppose to like and fit in with, where do I fit in the pack?

I am a little concern that he leaves the room once everybody settles in, most dogs will lay an watch. It could be he is confused where he fits in, most likely he is not fully bonded with anyone in 6 days, give it a couple of week at least a month. Have your son and Husband play fetch with him, feed him treats and walk him sometimes. The family has to bond as a whole with the dog. Unless you are planning to compete with the dog, you got plenty of time to improve on what you have. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Keep bonding and have fun with him 1st of all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I admit I'm just being nosy, but why in the world would anyone want a certified police dog that is also certified as a drug detector dog. Are you a police officer? That would certainly answer that question.

DFrost