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My main issue with my new GSD that we just adopted from rescue, probably due to her past (she was pitched out of a truck by someone and that's how rescue got her) but I don't know for sure, is she is frightened of people. She runs from even us. But then if you corner her (to bring her in the house, vet her, etc.) she is fine and non aggressive. We've only had her since Monday and the rescue only had her about a month and she did get attached to the President's husband.

We are assuming that once she gets comfortable with us and her new household, we can start training her formally. Any suggestions about getting a skittish shepherd to bond with you? Also, since my husband is home all day and I work, she is bonding more quickly to him than me. That's not a problem but he still says she runs or ducks when he tries to pet her. She'll come up to him but will take off if you approach her or try to pet her.

Once we have her in her bed or cornered we do try to pet her and love her. She is fine with this and does not argue but puts her head down in submission.

Any suggestions you have will be appreciated. We try using treats also to lure her but she sometimes will take them and sometimes not and sometimes she'll take it but get spooked and drop the treat and run off.

She is beautiful and sweet. I have no idea about her breeding or her past, just what is in the GSD website for her.

She has this beautiful professional show like gait. I've never seen anything like it. I've had shepherds before but she is so light on her feet she has like a gorgeous, smooth, fluid trot. .not a normal run...it's very graceful and light. Mike and I are very impressed. She is also the first shepherd we've ever had that had the "slope" the Shepherd stance..it's not very pronounced but it is there. I've had a few purebreds as a child and then adopted some mixes that were predominantly GSDs.

I'm very impressed with my girl but just wanted to know if you had any comments on getting her confidence level up and bonding advice. Again, there is NO aggression..not toward us, not toward the vet or anyone else that gets near her. She cowers from the cats and is fine with other dogs. She has no chase or prey drive. She does not bark.

Our vet and the rescue vet aged her at 2 to 3 years old based on her teeth. She also can run forever (based on us trying to lure her in the house from our large backyard) so we know an older dog would not have that grace, speed or endurance.

I would be willing to have her train with a professional but the only thing standing in the way is her skittish fear of people, of course. I know this must be overcome before she is trainable.

Can you make any comments, suggestions or recommendations for me?

>>My main issue with my new GSD that we just adopted from rescue, probably due to her past (she was pitched out of a truck by someone and that's how rescue got her) but I don't know for sure, is she is frightened of people. She runs from even us. But then if you corner her (to bring her in the house, vet her, etc.) she is fine and non aggressive. We've only had her since Monday and the rescue only had her about a month and she did get attached to the President's husband.
>>
>>We are assuming that once she gets comfortable with us and her new household, we can start training her formally. Any suggestions about getting a skittish shepherd to bond with you? Also, since my husband is home all day and I work, she is bonding more quickly to him than me. That's not a problem but he still says she runs or ducks when he tries to pet her. She'll come up to him but will take off if you approach her or try to pet her.
>>
>>Once we have her in her bed or cornered we do try to pet her and love her. She is fine with this and does not argue but puts her head down in submission.
>>
>>Any suggestions you have will be appreciated. We try using treats also to lure her but she sometimes will take them and sometimes not and sometimes she'll take it but get spooked and drop the treat and run off.
>>
>>She is beautiful and sweet. I have no idea about her breeding or her past, just what is in the GSD website for her.
>>
>>She has this beautiful professional show like gait. I've never seen anything like it. I've had shepherds before but she is so light on her feet she has like a gorgeous, smooth, fluid trot. .not a normal run...it's very graceful and light. Mike and I are very impressed. She is also the first shepherd we've ever had that had the "slope" the Shepherd stance..it's not very pronounced but it is there. I've had a few purebreds as a child and then adopted some mixes that were predominantly GSDs.
>>
>>I'm very impressed with my girl but just wanted to know if you had any comments on getting her confidence level up and bonding advice. Again, there is NO aggression..not toward us, not toward the vet or anyone else that gets near her. She cowers from the cats and is fine with other dogs. She has no chase or prey drive. She does not bark.
>>
>>Our vet and the rescue vet aged her at 2 to 3 years old based on her teeth. She also can run forever (based on us trying to lure her in the house from our large backyard) so we know an older dog would not have that grace, speed or endurance.
>>
>>I would be willing to have her train with a professional but the only thing standing in the way is her skittish fear of people, of course. I know this must be overcome before she is trainable.
>>
>>Can you make any comments, suggestions or recommendations for me?
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Several of my articles in the link below my name can help you. Look up Fear, Timid Dog, Socializing to People, Bonding, Eye Contact, Training, Herding Dog...
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

>>I would be willing to have her train with a professional but the only thing standing in the way is her skittish fear of people, of course. I know this must be overcome before she is trainable.
>>
>>Can you make any comments, suggestions or recommendations for me?
>>

I would encourage you ultimately to find a trainer to work with you AND your GSD using only positive motivation -- no choke or pinch collars, etc. A Front clip harness might work well for her, or perhaps a head halter. If you train with her, you will bond with her and she will gain confidence by working with you and learning that you are her partner and leader, rather than what she might be used to.

Thanks, LIsa.

I do have an appointment for October 1 to see a behaviorist so we can work through her issues so we can do some formal training. October 1 was the 1st Saturday available.

I did try walking her with a no pull harness but she'd either try to run from people or cower so it was difficult walking her.

I contacted the local GSD Rescue for referrals but I got into it with a few people who insisted GSDs cannot be trained without pinch collars. That's ridiculous. I've owned GSDs all my life and never even owned a pinch collar and they were ALL trained very easily.

Poor Ruby is so fearful.

The behaviorist I am going to does not use any choke or pinch collars in training their dogs so that's why I decided on them.

Thanks for your input!