jloeschner

FWIW...

I know that this has gone FARRRRR off topic, but just one last comment about dogs...

I am a K9 handler. I train with my dog every day. He, like most police dogs, will attack on command. However, unless you threaten me or him, or I tell him to attack, he will ignore you. He has been trained to act this way, and I reinforce it daily. Now, when it comes to being friendly, he can be...but he has to get to know you and realize that I like you.

As for breed...he is a German Shephard. Anyone know what they were originally bred for? Hint...it's in the name. They are/were not bred for protecting people. They were bred to herd and protect sheep and other livestock. Are they "naturally" mean? No. For the most part, shephards are good, loyal, easy-going dogs. Can they be made mean? Yes. As with any dog, it depends on how it was raised and/or trained and treated.

Now, to the temperament part. Not every dog is acceptable as a patrol K9. Just because a dog is a German Shephard does not mean that it will be a good candidate for K9. The dog MUST have an EVEN temperament...NOT agressive or passive. The dog must display confidence and a willingness to learn without fear. A K9 should never be disciplined by hitting or spanking. As a mater of fact, if a person raised his hand to mine, he would quickly lose his arm. He would probably not attack me if I did this, but I would immediately lose his confidence and trust...which I need in order to depend on him. However, if I jerk his leash, he acts like I have done him a great harm, without losing his trust.

Every puppy has the potential to become a good dog. Some have better breeding and temperaments, and are more suitable for certain jobs, such as K9, but all can be trained to a certain extent. If a person gets a nervous puppy, or an easily frightened puppy, he will have to train the puppy not to become a fear or nervous biter. This is actually more difficult than training an even tempered dog to bite on command. So, the next time you shop for a dog, remember to consider its temperament, regardless of breed. I have seen lovable pitbulls, which were bred to fight, sleeping with the family cat. I have also seen St. Bernards, which are normally VERY easy going dogs, try to rip out of a pen to get a mailman or passerby. Although breed does have some influence on the outcome of the dog, how a dog is trained and raised is FAR more important to the outcome of the dog.

Canine (K9) regards,
John

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

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