hi i am interested to know how a gsd that has been protection trained acts around young children.i have been reading this discussion board for a few days and i was concerned at how many people said they have handler agressive dogs or dogs that nobody is allowed to pet or even of not being able to take away treats, toys,or food etc. Do you just hope you dont drop any food on the floor so you dont get bitten lol.Is there only certain lines that act like this, or are these kenneled dogs that dont live in the home. i would feel like my kids would have to tip toe around this dog. i agree children should not torment or tease a dog but kids will be kids and they do jump, scream,make a lot of noise and yes want to play with the dog.we currently have 2 pit bull terriers 1 is a male who is protection trained. he lets my daughter do everything to him take away food or toys. dress him up with costumes, ride around on his back, make him lay down so she can stand on him to get her toys and he does it all wagging his tail. yes he has his bad points he is dog aggresive, he will not track, he is not real quick with ob, he does do it just slow. but i was considering for a next dog after my male is gone, a gsd but i have serious apprensions after reading these comments.i am not into a pitbull is better then a gsd argument but to find out how a protection trained gsd is with children. thanks

Right now I have a very serious female GSD who is in training. She does have some dominance issues, but those tend to be only directed at me. She gets along famously with my 3 year old daughter and 5 year old son. I don't leave them unsupervised, and they are very good around dogs being raised in this house with some serious GSD characters.


Just one example, and she is a bad one at that.

Most GSDs from woring lines have excellent temperaments. . .meaning they get along well with kids. If raised in the home correctly, even very powerful dogs can get along well in the home.


You have to remember when reading a lot of the information on this board that the posters are generally people who want, seek out, and train EXTREME dogs. In no way would I consider stories from this board a norm for the breed.

I have the full litter brother to VanCamp's female, and the dog will engage people in a flash if he believes that they're acting aggressive towards me.

However, I allow the smart neighborhood children to pet him under my supervision ( the screaming, not too bright kids in my area stay far away . ) Educating the kids about dogs and how to act around them is all that they needed - and it's good socialization for them both.

Good behavior from children usually leads to good experiences with a dog. Poorly behaved children don't fare as well -and I'm sure it's the same inside of a household as it is outside.

If I had loud, unruly children, I'd likely own a different type of dog - or else ship the kids off to a Military School <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If I had loud, unruly children, I'd likely own a different type of dog - or else ship the kids off to a Military School
-Will R.

I dont know the dog, however if the dog were socialized from the earliest age with loud , rambuctious kids, would the dog see it as a benign behavior?

I think Will is really on to something here-and while I can't help with socializing your dogs, I do have a couple programs in mind for the chilluns...a sunny, fun-filled 13 weeks at Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, perhaps? Special skill sets trained include teamwork (close-order drill), role-playing (we play boss, they play not), internal conflict shift response (pain is weakness leaving the body) and extended trajectory projectile management (AKA shootin').

I PROMISE they'll be well-behaved when they get home! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Good dog trainers tend to have well-behaved kids.

Charlie, I don't know about that.

I consider myself a decent dog trainer, but my daughter. . .she is a terror. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


I've never been afraid of any dog I've met, I've never had a problem dealing with dogs. . .even ones that hate me and tried to eat me. Dogs I find easy. I think I can train a dog to do just about anything a dog can be asked to do.


The 3 year old daughter. . .she's got my freaking number. If it weren't for my wife. . . :rolleyes: . . .I'd be in a world of hurt.


<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Good dog trainers tend to have well-behaved kids

Well, it depends on the kids drive.....I can vouch for the breeding tho! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding, I never had kids, so I don't know - but I hope I wouldn't have to use a lot of compulsion in their training....hehe

I'm thinking that child protective service would frown on the E Collar <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

i'm with will CPS does not like prong collars?

Paula, as expressed, a sound temperament and proper socialization is important. My GSD female (18 months) is as tough as nails. She was introduced to children very early in life and it has made all the difference. I don't have children myself, but have the opportunity to do lots of demonstrations, usually with schools and fairs.

Last Saturday we just came off the training field where she got a couple of bites in. We left and went directly to the elementary school which were sponsoring a fund raising car wash. My poor little GSD was the object of attention and had at least 5 children hanging off her at any given momment. She got her revenge by planting a big wet kiss onto any face that got close enough! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Do I trust her temperament? Absolutely! Do I trust children? NOT! Basically the kids were well behaved and only had to fend off soapy fingers from her eyes. We had a good day!

My other half also confessed to me yesterday that when I first got her, he was concerned about how she would turn out (thinking of the aggressive/biting dog stereotype) well, he is over the moon with her in all ways (and I think finally sold on GSD's). While having a dog with sound temperament is important, ultimately the responsibililty falls on the owner and how the the dog is trained.