In a message dated 1/4/2007 3:04:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, Showgsd- ------------------------------ Msg: #5 in digest From: Stormy435@xxxxxxx Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 17:51:32 EST Subject: Re: Tough Dogs to Handle NOT so long ago....2001, maybe... This reminded me of the one show in which my husband entered Casper. We knew he was overshot, and was going to nueter him soon, (He was 18 months old or so), but Jim wanted to show him one time (which meant I did LOL). Anyway, a handler that we knew came up to Jim and without saying anything, put his hand on Jim's shoulder. Casper growled, hair went up, JUMPED between Jim and the handler. And the handler backed off quickly. Perhaps in our zeal to make our dogs 'temperament test proof', we teach them that instinctive behavior like that is wrong? Stormy Hope In a message dated 1/4/07 2:40:59 PM, helen@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: >That was a great explaination Barb Williams wrote. I had forgotten HOW IT >WAS years ago and how we handled our dogs. Wow, that did bring back >memories. Barb was spot on about the temperament way back then and how careful we >were slaping a friend on the back or reaching suddenly. The dogs were tougher >and the handlers used care. Thanks Barbara, an interesting insight into >changes. >Helen > Stormy: Personally, I think Casper was 'On the Job"....Good Boy!!! I recall one event that others in that era also probably had to deal with and still do today.. We had an Insurance Agent and he came up to Our Kennel and Home , which required him going thru a large Iron Gate...On that Gate I had posted a sign that said 'Beware of Dogs.' He came inside and said, 'Get that Damn Sign off that Gate!!! You want to get sued?? Are You comfortable ADVERTISING THE FACT THAT SHEPHERDS WERE DANGEROUS.". I told him, "They are NOT Dangerous , Not to anyone who doesn't mess around with Me or Mine.." .. I still laugh when I recall his answer... " A Judge will want to know exactly 'what messing around with them means!!!!'' I took down the sign, but with great reluctance. Later at another home in Squaw Valley , way up and alone in the Piney Woods, where we had our Shepherds, I had people driving up our long driveway just to get a closer look at 'those big dogs!'......So, I put up a sign ... that was a big white board where I hand-stenciled the words from one of my favorite songs:and nailed it to our Gate...down at the bottom of our Driveway... ... "About these Big Dogs..". You Don't Tug on Superman's Cape... You Don't Spit into the Wind... You Don't Pull the Mask Off the Old Lone Ranger.... And You Don't Mess Around With Them"..!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. No Threat...Just Damn Good Advice!!!' Never had anymore 'Sight-Seerers",,Some of which could well have been in a recent Police "Line-Up." Barb Williams ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================