Hello! This is my first time posting; have been looking at this forum for about a year now. My question is about our 8 month old female GSD. She is from a West German show line. We did the kennel tour; visited the litter 2 times; picked the most social of the 3 females. Needless to say, the beginning was rough. Nothing went easy, but we got through all the puppy stuff. Long story short; she is not all that interested in us. We do have other dogs and they are all extremely people oriented. All she wants to do is play with them and we are kind of chopped liver. She is also not very affectionate. She rarely asks for attention and if you pet her, most often she'll run away and go tag on a dog or grab a toy. I am not feeling much of a bond. We have been doing training, socializing etc, etc... I am not a novice. This is new to me, though. I'm used to dogs that are so into people that they borderline obtrusive. Am I expecting too much from a young dog? This is our first GSD; is it the breed? Has anyone else experienced something similar? Your friendly comments/advice is welcome! Thanks!

Hi and welcome.

Many GSDs are "aloof." It's simply a personality trait that some dogs have. It would be a generalization to say that all examples of any breed is this-or-that. Dogs are individuals, like people, and come with their own quirks.

But in my pack of 5, my GSD is the least likely to greet me at the door, or overtly ask for attention.

Sometimes, it's a matter of finding out what particular thing does interest the dog. My GSD loves a good game of tug, and that's one thing that we can do as a bonding thing. He also enjoys going on hikes with me. But if I want to snuggle or get in the floor and play silly, that's not his thing.

Perhaps just keep trying different 1-on-1 activities and see which are the most engaging for her.

Is her behavior different when it's just you and her--and no other dogs are around? (it is with mine) If so, finding things to do with just her (and leaving the other dogs at home) might be a way to bond.

Also, if I had a dog who had gone "doggy" like this, I'd be spending loads of time on upbeat marker sessions, along with all the other me-and-the-dog things Tracy
mentions.







eta
Welcome, BTW! You might want to post here http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/146/page/1 and maybe link us to a picture or two!


Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/24/2011 05:37 PM)
Edit reason: eta

marker training, add to that remove and put out of sight the other dogs when you train.

why is this in dog politics and not puppy training?

 Quote: Dennis Jones

why is this in dog politics and not puppy training?

Good catch!

Moved.

Thanks for your response, Tracy. How funny; we also have a pack of 5 with a Leonberger being one of them! Yes, she is a little different when we are one on one. I do get her out by herself each day for a play/training session. Still experimenting with what really gets her going. Shes kind of all over the map right now. Was your GSD always aloof even when he was a pup?

Sorry about putting this under the wrong headline!!

Luca has always been "serious," even as a baby. I know that he doesn't love me less than the more effusive dogs in the house, he just says more with fewer words, so to speak. He's a wise old soul, and not one for big emotional displays of any kind. It's either undignified or a waste of energy.

Lots of behavior can be trained and shaped, for sure. But they do come with a baseline personality that they are born with, IMO.

I think you've created a leadership issue. She's learned that the other dogs are a lot more fun then you are.
She needs a lot more one on one time with you (not necessarily training)and more time away from the other dogs.