I have a 15 week old German Shepherd puppy named Chief. He loves my other dog and since the first night has always tried to get to him. We keep them separated ever since I bought the 8 weeks to 8 months video. He also wants to run up to the cat, and play with her. (she won't have anything to do with him) Chief will chase anything that moves in the backyard or in the house. He loves to play and is what I would consider normal.

My question involves being out on walks or in the park. I have him on a 20' lead, but he has only hit the end of the lead once. He stays very close even when there are other dogs around. He shows no sign of wanting to chase anything even the balls that some of the kids are playing with. I tried giving some people treats to feed him, and he barely takes them. He doesn't really strike me as fearful. He watches strange people and animals but doesn't run to them or away from them. (exactly the opposite of what he does with my animals.) I am wondering if this is about what I should expect from a GSD. My other dog is a lab mix and loves anyone and everyone and would run right up to strangers if I let him. Chief is the exact opposite. Do I need to socialize him differently or maybe I am doing something wrong when I am socializing him? Please point out if it sounds like I am doing something wrong.

PS He is very well behaved in public. Sit, down, come, touch, and a few others are obeyed as well in public as in the backyard. Thanks in advance. I really like the forum and have been lurking for a couple of months due to the large amounts of great advice.

Welcome, Daniel.

It sounds like he's fine. If he starts to move away from new people it's a sign of discomfort, but if he's standing still, ears forward, body posture relaxed, tail in a decent position, odds are he's just taking things in. Definitely don't push him to go meet new people, and I would absolutely avoid meeting strange dogs.

I wouldn't let people give my dog treats unless my dog were afraid of people...does that make sense? Hesitation may not be fear. You'll need to keep a close eye on his body language to really assess what's going on here. Is it only men that he's leery of? Is it fear or just a natural hesitation?

He doesn't need any new doggie friends, especially not strangers. For most walks I use a British Style Slip Lead (found here: http://www.leerburg.com/mendota.htm). It's a great leash, easy to keep at the top of the neck, and the dog is comfortable in it. It's 6' long, which is more than enough. You probably don't want a puppy this age running 20' off, they can get into a lot of trouble in the time it takes you to reel them in.

His desire to chase (prey drive) will develop over time. It will probably be more apparent in the backyard, and may be very strong back there and very weak at the park until he's fully acclimated and confident in those surroundings. Keep working on it, and don't be concerned. He sounds like a good boy.

David,

Thanks. He does stand still, ears forward, but I think he seems a little unsure of his surrondings.

I should have been more clear about the lead. I walk him on a six foot leash, but when we get to the park I snap the longer lead on so I can work on the "come".

I will definatley take your advice and will keep working at it. And no strange dogs! Thanks for that one I remember it from the video, but it slipped my mind. He is just such a polar opposite from my lab when it came to new surrondings that I was worried he may not be very sociable. Hopefully he will come around. Thanks again.

Socialization is so important. Me i prefer the dog to be comfortable around other dogs and people.Dogs do go through usually 2 fear periods.If you dont teach your dog to be realexed around other dogs then what do you do when you go to get your B and you walk your dog past the other tyed dog or the jogger or the bike what prepares him for this?Then on into Schutzhund when the dog must do a long down on the side off the field while the other dog works.Dave i repect your ideas could you explain to me if i missed something.