Jaquenetta German Shepherd Dogs
No Excuse for Growlers
All dogs must learn to enjoy people's company
Ian Dunbar, Ph.D., MRCVS
A couple of years ago, a judge forwarded me a copy of a letter, written by the president of a national breed club, that was sent to all AKC judges licensed to judge this specific breed, it's Group and Best In Show. The letter comprised a number of do's and don'ts for judging, and urged judges to keep in mind this breed character when examining. the dog.
Dangerous Advice
The letter recommended approaching each dog on "a slight diagonal at a steady, confident pace," and to "include the check of the testicles in a sweep over the hindquarters." Judge were informed the breed "has a short coat, and it's structure is self evident," and that "most of the judging can best be done while the dog is moving" - i.e., do not touch the dog unless necessary. In fact, only "brief, close-up examinations" were recommended.
Judges were warned not to approach and then retreat, not to approach hesitantly, not to stand, crouch down or kneel in front of the dog and stare, not to reach down either side of check the elbows or depth of brisket, not to reach around the dog's neck to check the fore-chest, not to reach over the head to examine the neck, and not to loom over the dog.
The letter further explained "Eye contact of more than a few second duration is considered a challenge and may elicit a rumble. Hardness means he'll not back down, when challenged1" The letter added, the breed "has great dignity and does not accept dominance from strangers. At home he may even rumble his disapproval when given an extended hug."
Judge were urged not to be nervous when judging the breed and, if afraid of the breed, not to judge it. It was not made clear whether judges should examine the dog by telephone or telescope.
Personally, I found the entire letter extremely frightening and particularly disturbing because it concerns a breed I dearly love - a breed which apparently is being sold out by it's own national club.
The letter excuses the dog's obnoxious behaviour towards judges on two counts: 1) because the judge is a stranger to the dog, and 2) because it is the breed's nature to neither accept dominance nor back down, but instead to growl willy-nilly. This "logic" would be frightening from a frog, let alone from the president of the national breed club.
Since the letter explained the dog may often "rumble his disapproval (i.e., growl) when petted by family members, the judge's unfamiliarity with the dog was really neither here nor there- just a convenient red herring.
With regards to the breed's nature, certainly there are breed stereotypes in behaviour and temperament, but they are just that, stereotypes. The complex polygenic inheritance of behaviour and temperament produces considerable variation within any breed. Moreover, a breed standard describes the perfect dog - an elusive, mythical beast - seen perhaps once in a lifetime.
Easy Excuses
Descriptions of behaviour and temperament in a breed standard are often convenient excuses for "what a dog does" based on the breed's original hunting, working, guarding or protecting function of several hundred (sometimes thousand) years ago. Such a premise is frightening when we consider that the majority of breeds in the Working Group, many gundogs, and true hounds are all thought to be descended from huge Mastiff - like war dogs which were originally raised and trained to kill people! In fact, the majority of breeds of dog were originally bred to hunt and/or kill one animal or another.
Let's take off our rose-colored spectacles, stop fishing for red herrings, eschew euphemistic excuses and instead, face up to reality: The dog growls. When a dog growls at a family member or stranger, the problem is obvious" the dog's insecurity around people stems from a lack of socialization and a lack of training.
To be fair, the letter added that the breed club abhorred "any (dogs) who have not be socialized and trained for the breed ring." And further suggested that any potentially unsafe animals be summarily dismissed. Unfortunately, few dogs are adequately socialized and trained for the ring, let along for life. A dog with a tricky temperament would not last a single day in an average home with children.
Also, the letter listed many of the specific stimuli which gave these dogs the heebie-jeebies - positive first step towards a viable preventative intervention program. But, sadly, the good advice stopped right there and was limited to warning people to be careful around the dog by not doing this and not doing that. There was little mention of how to train the dog to act when people were not careful, or when people had not been warned.
Avoiding the Problem
Avoiding stressing a dog unnecessarily is sound advice which could possibly save a judge's skin, but what about other people who would not have had the benefit of being forewarned? For example, a veterinarian who unintentionally "loomed" while staring via an ophthalmoscope, or a child who ran up to happily hug the blue-ribboned dog as it left the ring?
Surely it must have occurred to someone that is virtually impossible to approach a little dog without "looming"? Most children hug and grab all dogs. Longhaired dogs get their hair pulled, whereas short-coated dogs are grabbed by the ears, tail and testicles. No sweeping here? Yes, We tell them not to, but it happens. And any child approaching a large dog will come face-to-face, nose-to-nose and eye-to-eye.
Or, what if a judge trips and falls headlong into the dog's face? Surely the breeder and handler have proofed for that eventuality? Children do it all the time.
When a predictable "accident" happens, and the dog bites a child's face, it is worthless to recite the breed standard and mumble things about threat, challenge, dominance and hardness. You-yes YOU! Have to teach the dog that eye-to-eye contact is no threat: rather, it is a human way of showing love and affection.
Adopting the ostrich approach and temporarily avoiding the problem is not a permanent solution. Rather, treading on eggshells is a necessary, short-term precaution until the dog's underlying fears and anxieties can be resolved-until the dog has been desensitized to each stress-provoking stimulus. In fact, since these problems should hardly come as a great surprise to any experienced member of the dog fancy-hand shyness and apprehension of strangers being extremely common and predictable problems - it would be easier and kinder for the owner and strangers to prevent these fears from ever developing.
Let's separate what we know from what we don't know. We will never know for certain why a dog does what it does - whether they reflect several thousands years of selective breeding. On the other hand, we do know for certain that 1) fear of people may be prevented via puppy hood socialization, no matter what the dog's breed or ancestral function; 2) any puppy may be taught not only to tolerate but, also to enjoy examination and handling as an adult dog/ and 3) by employing only a modicum of forethought and common sense, the dog's eager acceptance of strangers (including children, veterinarians and judges) may be acquired easily, effortlessly and enjoyable via very simple handling/gentl8ing and confidence-building exercises in puppy hood. For goodness sake, either raise and train a dog to enjoy being handled by friendly judges, or give the dog to someone who will, then go get a goldfish for protection. But stop giving a good breed a bad name.
It is of utmost importance - it is vital, it is absolutely essential-that all dogs learn to enjoy the company of people. Other temperament problems pale in comparison. Do not wait until the puppy is old enough to go to puppy classes, hold the puppy part at home. Socialize the puppy to people as early as possible. For some breeds, I would recommend handling by strangers before the pup's eyes open. Even though the pups cannot hear too well see too well, they can feel and smell. Maintain routine hygiene at all times. (people handling the pups should wash their hands and leave outdoor shoes outdoors.)
Solving the Problem
When regular carrying and handling by strangers is the early status quo, even a dog from a "standoffish" breed can grow up to enjoy handling as an adult. "Pass the pup" is marvellous preparation for handling and examination by veterinarians, groomer and judges.
When the pups are older, each person may offer treats (individual pieces of kibble hand-fed by strangers in lieu of dinner from a bowl for free). "Hi! I'm a stranger, and here's a treat. Let's look in this ear, and here's another treat. Let's look in your mouth, and here's one more. And sweep the testicles for yet another treat. And look in those eyes for some chicken I am chewing. And stare in those eye for a huge piece of steak. And ..." Problem prevented.
It is all so ridiculously simple and enjoyable, and it works! All of the dire breed problems could be so very easily prevented using nothing more than basic handling and gentling exercises - routine, commonsensical, canine husbandry.
If this article sounds testy, it is. I am fed up with people criticizing the bad and making excuses, rather than acknowledging the good and getting on and doing something. Just do it, it works!
Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist and dog trainer based in Berkeley, California.
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