Never never would take one of my dogs to a dog park and advised whoever got a
puppy from me not to do so either....especially an intact bitch or dog.
Shepherds want to own the ground they walk on and be in charge. And bitches
coming into season are especially testy.
Even if they are spayed/neutered later in life they will still have that
attitude.
GSDs and dog parks are just not a good fit in my opinion!
Kay Springer
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Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 18, 2016, at 2:03 PM, Lissy Currie <lissy.currie@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I rarely post on the list but have learned lots by reading it.Yesterday I had
problems with some aggression with my nearly 6 year old intact female,
Sunshine. We were at a large local county park and the other dog is a
neutered male about 3 years old (I think) who is a Shepherd/Husky cross. He
was a shelter dog who has been adopted by a veteran who is training him to be
a service dog. He's normally a nice dog and a bit on timid side. He owner
takes him everywhere and is very attached to him. My 2 dogs (my other dog,
Molly, is 7 1/2 yr old spayed female) have been in groups where this other
dog has also been so my dogs know him somewhat
Here in Cheyenne some people started a FaceBook group for People who have and
or love German Shepherds. Doesn't matter whether purebred, cross, got as
puppies or shelter. Group is a mix of all of these. This past Spring some of
us started meeting up at large parks. We get the dogs out in big field and
let them be off leash. Generally do do very well together, partly by walking
and keeping them moving. Usually 8-12 dogs and 4-8 owners. Some owners whose
dogs love to fetch toys or balls bring those items. Sunshine often would join
the group chasing the balls or toys but never try to get item. These meetups
are sometimes planned ahead , other times are more "last minute". Yesterday
was planned in afternoon with only about 4 owners interested. I got there 1st
with my 2 girls. Then the veteran arrived and soon Sunshine went after him
and attacked and Molly soon joined. My 2 were acting like a pack. Later found
out they broke skin a little. I put Sunshine on leash when I could get her.
Molly then ignored the male dog. Later another owner showed up with her 2
dogs which are intact male and intact female who loves the game of fetch. I
tried letting Sunshine off leash so she could exercise. When ball thrown
Sunshine would chase as she's done many times before but yesterday snapped at
or bite female in butt. Sunshine has never done this before.
I'm wondering what's behind this behavior and how to deal with it. My first
guess might be hormones. Since Sunshine had her 2nd litter late in 2013, she
has come in heat 3X per year (not the usual 2X). She was last in heat in July
so I would expect her in Nov. if she stays with the 3X per year. Normally I
see her get a little more testy with my older dog who puts here in her place
just before she comes into heat. Haven't seen that recently at home. She
usually blows her coat shortly before coming into heat - not blowing coat
now. Any other ideas??? I'm wondering if I should just get her spayed. I
kind of wanted to breed her one more time but would have to want until
Spring. If hormones are becoming more of a problem, perhaps I should just go
ahead and get her spayed. Any thoughts or advice???
Thanks,
Lissy Currie