Dutch Shepherd Forum

My mom bought my kids (ages 3-10) a 8 week old DS named Gigi. We have only had her a few days. The first night we had Gigi, she just ran and hid and wouldn't even wag her tail. She seemed very sad and scared of everything! We are on day 4 now and she is starting to not be as shy. She will eat treats out of all our hands (including the 3 year old), but she runs away as soon as you go to pet her. We plan on Gigi being a family dog. We are a busy and active family and will be having Gigi join us on lots of family hikes and walks. I am very concerned about how shy and scared she is. I don't want to have a dog that bites my kids...ever! She is fine around other dog but doesn't show any interest in playing with him. Gigi spends most of the day just hiding or laying in her crate. She will explore the house as long as the kids aren't running around and being loud. Any advise on how to deal with this? I have never been around a puppy that was scared and didn't jump all over with excitement. Please help! Thank you!

First thing is to keep GiGi on a leash and keep her with you. DS are not like Labs all friendly and snuggly right off the bat, they are protection dogs and very sensitive. The kids needs to be very quiet around G and make no sudden moves, I know that is not easy for the 3yo. The dog needs to make the first move to the kids and only when G feels comfortable. The best way is to have the kids ignore G and be slow and quiet around her and let G work off of you for comfort. No petting unless the kids are sitting on the floor quiet, then let G go over to the kids all on her own when G feels comfortable. If the kid make a sudden move and G runs, you just took some steps back ward. The kids must learn to respect G and her space. The dog needs to make the first move to the human, not the other way around.

Find a good Obedience trainer fast and bring the kids to training as well. This is not a breed that is forgiving with kids running around. Labs or Goldens, you can mess up all you want and they will lay there, not this breed.

When its busy time for the kids and they kids are playing loud, Put G up in her crate in a quiet place that the kids wont go to.

For now, keep them separate and work with G when the kids arent home.

Did your mother buy a DS because you've had them before? What's been your experience with high-drive dogs? What training method(s) do you (or will you) be employing?

What Lisa said...and I'll add my preference for marker training. These dogs are quick and pick it up fast. Make sure everything is a confidence builder. Several short sessions each day. End every one on a positive and successful note.

The kids will need to "understand" that her crate (if you'll crate her) is her own private place, a place she can feel safe...not worried or fearful or....The kids and dog will both need to learn and respect boundaries.

I hope you're reading through a lot of threads on this forum. There's tons of information, all kinds. Like Lisa said, these aren't your big, goofy, laid-back dogs.

We do not have experience in this breed. My husband and I both grew up with dogs and had dogs into our adult life. We have both spent hundreds of hours reading about the breed. We just want to do what's best for her. She will be going to obedance class once she has all her shots. Would you recommend having a trainer to our home now since she can't go out in public yet? We will work on having the kids ignore Gigi. They do understand to stay away from her crate. Thank for all the advice. I truly do appreciate it!

I have had dogs all of my life too but once I entered the world of shepherds it was like I had never had a dog before. You can read,and online learning and that will help but is still different when you actually experienced these dogs.

These are not your average family dogs as they really are not meant to be family dogs in the first place, this is a true working breed that is used in a lot of police work guard work and army work.

If you can get a trainer to come to your home that would be great then they could see your home what your working with and could really help you in your space. You need to be firm with the kids that they cannot roughhouse around her or with her and need to stay away from her and let GG make the first move to come to say hi. This is no joke, and you must be firm and consistent and put your foot down if the kids don't listen to you. GG is to be on a leash and attached to you at all times when she is not in her crate. If you have a place to take her out to the bathroom such as a fenced area where you can let her off the leash to have some free play with just you and her that would be great.

And don't be shy to question a trainer's methods/approach. Not all are the same. Some good. Some bad. And some believe a dog is a dog is dog. Sigh. Not true.

DITTO A MILLION TIMES WHAT LISA SAID. I've never been without multiple dogs since I was born many decades ago, but not until the DS came in my life did I really learn about dogs. I thought I was pretty savvy before. I was wrong. These are serious beasts...but if you show them fairness and respect, you'll get it in return with the proper, knowledgeable training they require. Take the time and commit, and you'll see they're the best beasts to have in your world.

Do you know where the dog came from? I'd question anyone who gave a DS to an inexperienced family, especially as a gift, especially with young children. As much as training and proper raising will help this dog, bad genetics could have produced a fearful dog and it may be a life long management situation. There are many dogs and lines in this breed that aren't suitable for families, if you combine that with a breeder that doesn't do any screening before breeding and places the dogs in inappropriate homes, you can end up with puppies with a lot of problems. I would get a trainer in to evaluate, one that's very experienced with the breed and working dogs, but be honest with yourself about the dog and your expectations and commitment and be ready for them to suggest placing the dog in a better environment, if needed.

Where are you located? Perhaps we could suggest a trainer that might help you out?

I would just add when you have Gigi on the lead make sure she is on a flat collar or hooked to the dead ring if you are using a chain/fur saver.

Always set her up for success. Have her on lead, focused on you, and introduce one child and/or person to start in a open area of house. When/if she wants to flight, you need to be passive and do not touch or pet her. When she stops pulling and settles down, call her calmly into your arms and stroke her from the front shoulder down the length of her body, telling her good girl in a low, calm, soothing tone. I would be inclined to be down on her level, but I would have to see her to gauge. Anyway have your clicker ready and any time she looks or moves toward the toddler or person click and treat.


Note, before you try this exercise, make sure you have introduced the clicker and food a few times, with just you and Gigi. She needs to understand the click marks a behavior you want and a high value reward (food) is coming. You can start by getting her to look at you. Click and treat, click and treat, click and treat, etc. Keep in mind you need to vary your clicks as she catches on because they catch patterns quickly:) If she seems disinterested or sluggish, I would withhold her next feeding. I keep all of my dogs in a constant state of hunger and all of my dogs have to work to eat. Keep in mind this is because my dogs are working, but as a pet owner you can withhold meals strategically when you are trying to form behaviors.

If you try this let me know how she reacts good or bad.