German Sheppard?

[Loveneverfails]

I had a great dog not too long ago that I felt very safe with, that is until a great dane came at us barking up a storm...and this large dog of mine who had been so trustworthy, decided she was better off sitting behind my legs! I guess what I'm saying is a dog is an individual being and no matter how well trained, they aren't necessarily going to be the most predictable defense.

Ms Spock, Loner and Anthony amongst the others are right. Safety is a feeling. Self defense is a wonderful way to start, it gives you power and ability, confidence and the exercise while learning and practicing can combat depression and anxiety. So it's a win-win all around. There are personal alarms you can carry as well that look like and sometimes double as a flashlight. If someone comes upon you and you feel threatened, you flip a switch and a VERY loud alarm goes off. If you don't want a weapon, or don't think you can fight, that might be a good step.

Pepper spray is helpful to carry if for no other reason than it's a fall back, but it too can just as Loner said- become a liability. I have a male friend who advised me to spray myself with it just to know what it felt like, so that if it ever were used by an attacker, I wouldn't be too shocked to think. Let me tell you, it certainly isn't pleasant! But I know now what to expect if it happened...and I think preparedness is a key factor in any difficult situation. I would suggest you look into survival techniques as well. Empowering yourself, no matter how you end up choosing to do it, is a great way to start the process of reclaiming your life.

 

[Kaii]

I live in Canada and it is illegal to carry a gun here. I don't think I would be a good candidate to carry one anyway even if it was legal. I have so much anger and fear, it would be a bad combination as I might actually kill someone with it.

You do bring up a point that I hadn't thought of before though, the fact that the dog will pick up on my fear as an indication that it needs to act...and that isn't necessarily the case each time.

I have been giving some thought to applying for a service dog as there is an organization in Canada that trains service dogs for people with PTSD. The things they can train these dogs to do is amazing.

 

[Kaii]

Also, it is illegal to carry pepper spray in Canada. It is, however, legal to carry bear spray which is he same as pepper spray...BUT it is illegal to use it on a human.

I do have bear spray but rarely carry it because I worry that if I sprayed someone who I felt threatened by, I could be the one who gets charged and taken to jail.

I also have several belts in Tae Kwon Do, but left my club a number of years ago. But it still didn't help me out any when I was assaulted.

 

[Loner]

Yea, there is a lot of variance between breeds with regards to personality, german shepards are known to be VERY protective, they require lots of socialization and training to be trustworthy in public. I know I already said that but just reiterating. They are high energy very loyal and very alert. Properly trained this manifests itself as a dog who is very eager to learn the proper way to behave in order to please its owner, as well as being protective at appropriate times and very hard working and strong. Not properly trained exercised or socialized these traits are manifested by a dog who is basically constantly hyper vigilant and aggressive. Not good.

I think a service dog would be a great choice. That or go volunteer at a local animal shelter, and eventually I bet you will fall in love, not because the dog is scary but because its a sweetheart and it will love you.

 

[maddog]

I think lots of good advice, and cautioning, has been offered here already. Let me add my voice to those who say there is a difference between being unsafe and feeling unsafe.

The former is a real issue of risk and threat which requires the use of protective implements, strategies or both. In such instances, a dog may be one of many options, if properly trained, controlled and managed, both in the presence and absence of real threat.

Feeling unsafe is just that, a feeling. Those who say that a dog can pick up on the handler's feelings, emotions, instincts and impulses are 100% correct, and in such cases, having a protective dog with you is akin to having a loaded gun, a trigger-happy finger and an inability to do more than attempt to influence what that finger is doing. A big dog can be a dangerous weapon. In the absence of real threat, a weapon becomes a danger to yourself and to those around you.

I am living evidence of what can go wrong. I have a dog who is with me 24/7, a guide dog admittedly, who isn't protection trained at all and who in fact has an incredibly mellow and placid disposition and would probably also roll upside down for a belly rub if challenged. The sense of safety she gives me is more as a grounding object and reassuring presence rather than as a means of protection, as I do not believe she would protect me if challenged.

But regardless of her protective capacity, her capacity to absorb my emotions and to internalise them herself over time has been more catastrophic than I could have imagined. Thanks to my extreme anxiety, hypervigilance, eratic behaviour and general inability to maintain emotional stability as her handler and pack leader, her work and behaviour have significantly deteriorated to the point at which I may now be forced to retire her and have her taken off me.

Please, please, don't underestimate the impact that PTSD, or any disorder which interferes with the regulation of emotion, awareness and self control, can have on a living being who is with you in public.

I would desperately love to have a properly trained protection dog and believe it would help me to feel more secure. But right now this would be a very bad decision - another one - and until such time as i am more stable and able to provide consistent leadership and control, this would be a foolish and dangerous decision for everyone.

Maddog

 

[Loner]

But regardless of her protective capacity, her capacity to absorb my emotions and to internalise them herself over time has been more catastrophic than I could have imagined. Thanks to my extreme anxiety, hypervigilance, eratic behaviour and general inability to maintain emotional stability as her handler and pack leader, her work and behaviour have significantly deteriorated to the point at which I may now be forced to retire her and have her taken off me.

Please, please, don't underestimate the impact that PTSD, or any disorder which interferes with the regulation of emotion, awareness and self control, can have on a living being who is with you in public.


Maddog

That is really sad, I am sorry to hear that, you must feel awful.

I have already posted in this thread a bunch of times, but I wanted to offer a perspective that runs counter to Maddog's.

I rescued (stole) my dog from some abusive owners. I can tell the whole story sometime it is one of absolutely heartbreaking tenderness, more on the dog's part than my own. The point is though, he was in bad shape, and absolutely begged me to let him come with me, I mean he literally begged, crying trying his best to jump into my car. To make a long story short he ended up being my dog. It was incredibly healing for me to care about another creatures needs more than my own. I had done that with my family for years but this was different, and a lot healthier. He was a great dog and he needed my help. I saw a creature in pain and filled with fear, but desperate for love and acceptance, just like myself. Since I had no social life I could pour all my energy into him, and it was really fulfilling to watch him heal over the next couple years as he grew to trust me. It was a lot of work but it gave me hope for myself to watch him find peace. It was absolutely invaluable to me to feel accepted and loved by some creature, I had never had that from anyone. Honestly, he probably was held back in his healing at least a little bit due because he did pick up on my anxiety and anger which were both near constant. He is a very special dog though.

I guess my point is, similar to what Maddog said, dogs arent things, they are living creatures with their own needs and feelings. If you want to find a dog you can form a bond with that is awesome, heck, even if you just want to have a dog cus it makes you smile to watch it play fetch thats fine, I think thats how most people feel about their dogs anyways. However, if you try and use a dog as a security blanket you're objectifying it and things wont work out right, especially if its a high maintenance dog like a german shepard. I really don't think my dog would of healed the way he did if I hadn't taken him mountain biking hiking skiing and swimming all the time. Working breeds need to be active every day.


Also, I can't beleive no one has said this yet, but wheres your significant other in all this? Can't they go out and keep you company in places?

 

[Rayn]

I believe there is excellent wisdom in what each person has offered. As I said the bond with your dog is an amazing one but professional training can't be overemphasized. In our case the guard dog service provides initial training and then refresher training is available on a yearly basis. Also where we live is isolated and people that show up at my house don't do so by accident so I do think proximity to people has to be considered. I believe that having a trained animal is not a loose canon situation as they can be called down instantly with just a quiet command. Our dog was a very tall and massive example of the breed that was always ready to meet force with force (and that brings a huge sense of security) but I can't think of any instance ever once where he disobeyed a direct command. I believe in using whatever means you have available to protect yourself and your family--we are gun owners as well.

One situation that I think illustrates the security of the dog--we have had a three acre property in my family for 30 years, it backs up to a national forest and we have a small cabin where we have often brought our children. Well once I brought the children up two days ahead of my husband--just like I had many times before. The dog started barking around 10 (the cabin is small and so he was tied to the porch until bedtime) I went out twice to reassure him before I saw the first man look around the corner of the shed.They were all hiding in different locations, I saw a second man's movement through the window of the suv so I pretended to try to calm the dog again and went in and got the pistol, locked my children inside and went back out. Turned out to be three drunks that had gotten lost off the trails on horseback. The dark haired man was beligerant and announced that if I didn't take them back to the main road they weren't leaving--needless to say the dog had other ideas. I lengthened the leash to allow him the freedom to make running lunges at the horses and threatened to turn him loose if they didn't get off the property immediately. He was absolutely magnificient in his savagery, he was so worked up that he had slobbered all down his chest and looked like something straight out of hell. They couldn't control the horses and couldn't take a chance that I would carry through on releasing him. When they left (after a bit more drama)--he was sitting with me silently on the steps with a one word command. I cleaned him up and he came inside and slept quietly through the night.

These people had looked in the windows...they discussed seeing my children--which as any mother knows absolutely kills any fear or concern that you have for yourself. It flipped a switch inside me that shut down everything but the resolve to remove the threat from my kids. The dog was a means to accomplish that as a guardian and protector.

Owner stability plays a big part and I don't know how to explain it exactly but his presence in my life made me more stable and made my judgement clearer and my insecurities vanish,(I know it may not be the same for everyone) and in return he was doted on and adored every single day of his life. I am small and only five feet tall so I'm not a very imposing figure but I don't need to be. The other variable that made the choice to have a guard dog right for me was that my husband works shift so he alternates days and nights and is gone for about 15 hours at a time when he goes out the door.

Loner is absolutely right working breeds need a lot of exercise and I found it very theraputic to socialize him at a walking track and the trainer also works on dog to dog socialization and dog to public socialization.He went to the vets office and sat in the waiting room without ever having a problem even when faced with poorly socialized dogs (far fewer problems than my daughters chihuahua). The other thing to consider is taking your time and finding a good reputable trainer. Now a days, everyone thinks they are Cesar Milan and want to charge outrageous sums for minimal results. I will be in the same boat when my trainer retires. If you decide to go with a guard dog, don't let the decision rush you in choosing a qualified trainer. Make sure you view his other dogs and don't be shy about asking him to put several through the paces of their training.

Best of luck to you Kaii in whatever decision you make....we are all just offering up different points of view in an effort to help you. I really think the people here have given you a lot of great points to think about. With time you will find what's right for you based on all the input. What's best for you is all that matters. I really think the service dog might be a great option as well, I think that's a great idea. Hope I didn't overstep my bounds, you just hit on the one subject that I am passionate about on my very first day on the forum.I am more than happy to shut my mouth now. Congratulations on the Tae Kwon Do belts that is a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself. I wish you the best life has to offer.

 

[ms spock]

I also have several belts in Tae Kwon Do, but left my club a number of years ago. But it still didn't help me out any when I was assaulted.

I am so sorry to hear this.

Canada is much safer than America. It is about as safe as Australia. They are on a par I think.

Do you have bear spray for actual bears?

 

[Anna]

Dogs are supposed to be more of a deterrant than burglar alarms!

German shephards are lovely dogs, as long as they are treated and trained correctly. They are also very loyal.

I was once nearly attacked by one. I shouted at it and it backed down, they are very intimidating and will protect you.

I think, especially if you go hiking this breed will make you feel safer, also it will protect you and your home. A very good idea.

The German shephard is a guard dog, not a family pet. That is one thing to remember. They need to be supervised at all time if you have children.

 

[Kaii]

I guess part of my feelings on this relates to the fact that German sheppards are a working breed and require a lot of exercise. That is part of the reason that I want one. Because I love dogs so much and I know it will push me to get out of the house and walk him/her, go to the dog park, go to the beach, go hiking, etc. I know that my desire to take care of my dog and give them a happy and healthy life will override my need to isolate....because I will feel safer with the dog.

The two dogs I have now are very small. I'm talking 4lbs small. I have taken then for a walk in the past and had to carry them back home. They are lovely though and wonderful helpers as they have been there for me constantly. Just the act of petting them whenever I am stressed or have anxiety is grounding for me.

 

[Meadowsweet]

Sometimes when isolated it's easier to think 'if this happened...then I'd be ok again'. But sometimes the fear behind the isolation is underestimated.

I think someone suggested temporarily fostering a dog to see if it really would make a difference. I think it is important to make sure it would work, especially with a german sheperd, because they take a lot of work to train and keep exercised and without it they can be more of a threat than a help.

If you do decide dog's aren't the way forward, I've found a bike makes exercise and fresh air easier on my mind. It may be because I'm going faster, so I feel less of a target. But also, I think the concentration needed for riding a bike keeps my mind occupied.

 

[ms spock]

The two dogs I have now are very small. I'm talking 4lbs small. I have taken then for a walk in the past and had to carry them back home.

Oh you had me laughing with delight at this one! You are a sweetie!