Case study · a working-line Shepherd
Meeting a powerful young Shepherd for the first time
A first assessment session. Listen for the change in tone when she is recalled.
What you’re watching
This is the first time I ever met this dog, a strong working-line German Shepherd bitch being assessed for a working role.
Watch how slowly it goes. I keep my movements easy and let her come and have a look at me in her own time. I don’t square up to her or test her to see how she reacts under pressure. She gets to decide I’m safe before I ask anything of her.
Then listen for the recall. My voice changes, it gets clearer and sharper, and she answers it straight away. Being friendly with a dog doesn’t mean being vague with it. She needs to hear when I’m chatting and when I’m asking for something.
Why this matters for your dog
The first few minutes with a new dog set up everything after. A lot of the trouble I see between dogs and strangers, and between dogs and their own families, starts with someone rushing in or misreading the dog.
Every first session I do starts this way, whatever the dog. I let the dog accept me before I ask for anything, and that’s why most dogs are working with me within minutes.
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