[Julia Tompson]

I imported Marsha from Germany in August or 2005... and never in a million years could have predicted how she would change my life. If there is such a thing as a \"Soul Dog\" she is it!!! We bonded so profoundly and instantaneously from the moment I picked her up at the airport and I love her so much!

She received her Schh3 in Germany by the young age of 2.4 years... but it was not an easy road for her. She was force trained and unfortunately you could tell her spirit had been broken. When she arrived she was all business and didn’t display an ounce of play/prey drive. I have been working hard with her to draw out a less serious more relaxed side to her which was a challenge but well worth every second spent trying because today she has made remarkable progress and is a much happier more relaxed dog as a result.

Prior to meeting Marsha, I had no interest in PP, Schutzhund, or anything to do with dog sports. I bought Marsha solely because I want a GREAT German Shepard and didn’t trust the gene pool in the US for obvious reasons nor did I know a reputable breeder.

My world changed the instant that she arrived and an obsession was born. I would really like to get into ASR… but there isn’t much of that here in Maine. I am also fascinated with Schutzhund.

In Feb I AI Marsha with a great male from NM, V Dian vom Baronenwald and she is due to have her pups tomorrow 3-28-06. I am so excited and can’t wait to raise a working pup from birth. I will post pictures as soon as they are born.

I look forward to being part of a great forum… Thanks Mike!

Julie
Marsha's Diary

 

[Jenni Williams]

Nice dog, Julia. Do you know for a fact that she was \"force trained?\" The reason I ask is that everyone (inexperienced) who meets Caleb asks if he was abused :roll: because he will never show his fun side to anyone other than me. EVER. He's totally serious until he knows someone REALLY well. \"Trainers\" think he has no prey drive, but what he's really lacking is play drive (if you can really call it that). He will drag me all over my house with a tug and will play ball all day, but no one except my neighbors have ever seen it. If someone approaches, he's done playing. He will kill animals (rabbits, birds, etc.), but asking a serious dog to play with a stranger (which is basically what you're doing when you try to get them to bite a tug or sleeve Sch. style) is quite trying. Anyway, just asking, because that may just be in her nature...and she's relaxed because she's bonded to you now, not necessarily because she was afraid before. It's kind of a lost trait in this country, and when it pops up, no one knows how to handle it!

 

[Greg Long]

Julia,

Some dogs dont have a playful temperment.Im not saying she wasnt \"force trained\" , there are some very abusive trainers out there.Just because your dog wont play happy or wont work entirely in \"prey\" doesnt mean she was force trained.
I personally look for those serious dogs.The world is full of happy prey monsters.Of course I dont do Sch.
Also just because a dog is serious doesnt mean it doesnt enjoy the work.Police are very serious when working and Ill bet most will tell you they enjoy their job.Just something to think about.

Greg

 

[Connie Sutherland]

.....I imported Marsha from Germany in August or 2005... and never in a million years could have predicted how she would change my life. If there is such a thing as a \"Soul Dog\" she is it!!! We bonded so profoundly and instantaneously from the moment I picked her up at the airport and I love her so much!.......

Those are terrific photos of a beautiful dog! Is there such a thing as \"classic GSD\"?

 

[Julia Tompson]

Hi Jenni & Gregg

I am not 100% sure of anything… it’s just my gut feeling. I think an accumulation of events led me to the conclusion that she was force trained. Starting with the fact that she was very young when she received her title 3 (2 years 4 months) yet she had no play or food drive.

When we first got her I would try to get her to 'bring' a ball or toy and she would just look at me like I was crazy. I though, how could she retrieved a dumbbell if she doesn’t know what bring means… so I ordered a dumbbell and when I said 'bring' she knew exactly what to do. She could bring a dumbbell but not a ball or tug. :?

Now… today she is a different dog and very much playful even with guest. She is also a lot more relaxed. I believe the drives were there all along they were just never developed because it took too much time to develop them. I have heard forcing is a fast way to get a dog titled. :evil: The breeder sent me an email confirming she had no play or food drives… yet now she does. If they didn’t motivate her with play and food… I can only assume they forced her.

If you have any other thoughts that might explain her background please do... I certainly have much to learn.

\"...Is there such a thing as \"classic GSD\"?

I haven't a clue what a \"Classic GSD\" is. Maybe in America terms it is a dog that looks like Rin Tin Tin... but globally... I don't know. Maybe someone else does

~ Julie

 

[Jenni Williams]

Well, Julia, you could be right if she's suddenly playful with guests. I just thought it was quite possible that she's just serious, and waited a while before she knew you well enough to play. Too bad if that's what happened, though. At least she's got it good now.

 

[Hil Harrison]

Julia, beautiful dog. How old is she now? Hope all goes well with the pups.

 

[Julia Tompson]

Hi Hil... she just turned 3 on March 13. So far so good with the puppies.

4 have arrived and I am waiting to see if there are more. I am happy with that considering this is her first (and probably last litter.) and she was an AI breeding.

Your 5 dogs (I hope I counted right) are all gorgeous!

~ Julie

 

[Hil Harrison]

Congratulations on the 4 pups, I hope Mum and pups are doing well..............I wonder if there are more to come , keep us posted

Your 5 dogs (I hope I counted right) are all gorgeous!

Thank you...........there are 6! :lol: :lol: :lol: Sometimes I make the same mistake :lol: have to do a head count for feeding bowls, same with the cats( there are 8 of those) :roll: :lol: