It's been so long since I had a puppy, I forget if this is 'normal' or not!! At the park today there was a guy with a gorgeous GSD puppy - he was 5 months old. I love GSDs and of course, I had to go over as Dex had trotted over to say hi to the pup... The owner told me that he's been bringing the pup to the park every day, keeping him on a harness and long line while he works on recall. He was really keen to socialise his pup and the pup was clearly keen to interact with the other dogs that were there. As Dex is very gentle with pups, I offered to let him go with this guy and his pup into a tennis court, so the pup could play for a bit, and a few of Dex's mates also came (all very friendly). Once we were in the tennis court, the owner let the pup off the lead and we both thought he would go racing off with the other dogs. Instead, the pup made straight for me - and then began jumping, nipping and clawing at my legs, arms and any part of me he could reach...! The owner pulled him away and let him go, and again the pup came straight to me and started leaping up again - scratching and clawing and nipping! Result: there are two holes in my shirt, and my right arm is now covered in bright red scratches...... I've met a lot of pups but must admit, never had this before. I laughed it off and later on, the pup was running with the other dogs very happily and I was able to make a fuss of him without the frantic nipping etc. Just wondering if this is 'normal' for GSD pups - or maybe I was inadvertently doing something that caused the nipping etc.....? Thanks for any feedback!
When I first took my GSD Sally, my boys were very young, maybe 3 and 5. Their jamas were peppered with holes from where the dog nipped at them all the time! She chased them everywhere. Never actually bit them and they'd make her worse by shrieking and laughing and running away and leaping onto things she couldn't get up on! I've no recollection of her doing it to total strangers tho! And she did not do it to me either! But then I was nowhere near as much fun as the boys were!
Normal depends on how the dog has learned to be up till then. If you see the owner again, suggest he needs to work on the pup`s manners?
I have a 3 1/2 month old GSD puppy. Whenever i meet other dog owners he wags his tail and loves to be fussed over by them, but then turns his attention to playing with the other dog. Maybe the owner is letting him get away with this behaviour at home, so he transfers it to you? My pup loves to tug at clothing, towels, anything, etc, but is discouraged firmly. He has made friends with a cocker spaniel called Muphy and they play really well together, just returning occasionally to myself and Murphys owner for reassurance.
My GSD didn't do this but my collies as pups (and one as an adult!) would if I allowed them to, they are very people friendly and as pups go out of their way to get fuss from people. This pup will probably grow out of it as he is taught manners and more self control!
Roo was like this when he was tiny (he's a Border Terrier) and he would ignore dogs and head for the people but being small he'd do no harm, now he is socalised with other dogs he's happy to play but does make a beeline for owners but no nippy or scratching as we don't encourage that (and I'm trying very hard to get him to greet with bum on floor but at only 17 weeks he's still learning!)
Ahhh Roo! The gorgeous Border Terrier. One of my favourite breeds (as far as appearance goes - german teddy bear faces lol!) always thought I'd have one one day. Haven't met any in Cyprus yet. They remind me of the furry dogs that used to have the handle on the back for toddlers to push around when learning to walk (back in the dark ages - probably before you were born!) I've just had to go and take a look at his photos again!
Tangutica he's stunning, I'll take some more recent pictures but he's developed these beautiful black markings around his eyes that flick out in the corner like he's wearing eye liner!
max did this to us (not others) for a week or so, easily solved it with distraction not good that the pup is doing this to strangers, the owner needs to imagine a 40kg GSD doing this to a young girl in the park
I don't think it is *normal* for GSDs, any more than it is *normal* for other breeds. However, it does sound very much like a border collie pup one of my friend's had who didn't get enough exercise, interaction with other people and dogs, and who would go wild with excitement when she met other dogs and people. The pup's owner definitely needs to start teaching his pup some good manners around people, or he may end up in serious trouble if his well-meaning but boisterous and LARGE dog jumps all over strangers in the future
