Post by RealPitBull on Nov 6, 2013 9:11:26 GMT -5
I thought this was a good look at inherited temperament and drives. IMO it talks about what every experienced dog person who's been around a specific breed or breeds for extended periods of time knows: temperament is fixed and inherited. The article is about GSDs but it is very applicable to APBTs which as also a drivey working breed. I also like that it takes the Volhards ( ) to task.
What I don't agree with are the interpretations/labeling of behaviors as "rank drive" and "pack drive" (I found the info contained in these sections still decent, just perhaps misinterpreted). However there is a lot of sound, real life info in here so I'm posting it anyway.
Also too bad there really are no references in this article, either.
www.germanshepherdguide.com/temperament.html
Here is one excerpt I thought especially good:
"Tragically, innumerable dogs are euthanized every year because no one around understood the nature of prey drive. Humans often insist that if the dog killed a cat or rabbit, he will move on to bigger prey and start killing toddlers next, which is of course, nuts. High prey drive dogs will not attack and kill humans unless there is some other pathological dynamic at work or the dog lacks sound discrimination abilities. That is, the dog must be able to tell the difference between a gopher and a child. Most dogs can do this quite easily, if given proper socialization in puppyhood. A dog will not consider as a prey object any living creature to which he is exposed in early puppy hood, ideally around the age of 3-5 weeks. This is why the job of the breeder is so important! Breeders absolutely must have their pups exposed to babies and small children. An under-socialized, high prey drive dog can easily mistake a crying baby for wounded prey. If you have a small animal killing dog, you may wish to read Sadie's story in "I Love My Dog, But . . ."
What I don't agree with are the interpretations/labeling of behaviors as "rank drive" and "pack drive" (I found the info contained in these sections still decent, just perhaps misinterpreted). However there is a lot of sound, real life info in here so I'm posting it anyway.
Also too bad there really are no references in this article, either.
www.germanshepherdguide.com/temperament.html
Here is one excerpt I thought especially good:
"Tragically, innumerable dogs are euthanized every year because no one around understood the nature of prey drive. Humans often insist that if the dog killed a cat or rabbit, he will move on to bigger prey and start killing toddlers next, which is of course, nuts. High prey drive dogs will not attack and kill humans unless there is some other pathological dynamic at work or the dog lacks sound discrimination abilities. That is, the dog must be able to tell the difference between a gopher and a child. Most dogs can do this quite easily, if given proper socialization in puppyhood. A dog will not consider as a prey object any living creature to which he is exposed in early puppy hood, ideally around the age of 3-5 weeks. This is why the job of the breeder is so important! Breeders absolutely must have their pups exposed to babies and small children. An under-socialized, high prey drive dog can easily mistake a crying baby for wounded prey. If you have a small animal killing dog, you may wish to read Sadie's story in "I Love My Dog, But . . ."