pup 12 weeks old gsd.
Have been working really hard with her for weeks now, getting her collar and lead trained and traffic aware.
People? well she's good when someone comes to our home but this morning she has scarred me a bit, our next door neighbour and her 2 year old were on the drive so i explained i was training the pup and could i introduce her to the little boy.
Bearing in ming i have two children i thought my girl would be ok, well i got a shock she stood very proudly ears and head up, tail out and was giving small growls at the little lad.
This has worried me? any ideas please.
I am going to my first ringcraft tonight so at least i hope i am doing things right.

MINg?   lol im not minging haha

Hi Sam. I have a GSD too, and had been through the same troubles you did with your pup, and had to defend my puppy on this site just like you did. Was tough time for me. Just like you I wanted a friendly advice and assurance that everything will be alright, but "advisers" made me feel horrible, like I bought a bad dog or something like that. I did think of leaving this forum as well... But anyways... My girl is almost 12 weeks as well, and she is pretty dog friendly, but she is very shy of humans. Some times she even gets scared of them. And I don't know why. She does not mind cars and big trucks any more, but she gets scared of humans (especially tall/big men). It worries me. She loves children though (especially my niece), I think because they are smaller than adults. Was your puppy always as brave as she was with that little girl/boy? And from your experience how does your girl feel around adults? Have you had any troubles at all? I wanted my dog to be a guard for me, but seeing that she is afraid of people I let her to be patted on her back by strangers and as long as they kneel or sit down she is not afraid of them, but if they stand she wont come close to them and would start jumping on me to pick her up. Any advice (from anybody friendly)? Will she get braver? We are starting some puppy classes at a local German Shepherd Club, but I see she has no problems with big dogs, even if they growl at her she still plays with them, but people - I don't know....
Thanks anyone, Alina D.

hi, ive nodded about all you've wrote about your pup as i have the same probs, i consider my pup as another of my children and will do all i can regardless.
goodluck
sam

If your dog has problems relaxing around people then you could try T Touch massage, this releases the natural endorphins into the blood helping her "chill out" try her site

http://lindatellington-jones.com

I picked up another good tip at ringcraft last night, when we have friends and family round get them to get her brush and gently brush her then change to stroking sith hands always talking and re-assuring her at the same time, it will help the pup know that evryone she meets is not a threat.

The reaction really isnt unusual, and you are right to get other people to handle her as long as this is always enjoyable for her. Many dogs dislike people approaching from a distance, so take her out to towns and villages and everywhere you can think of where she will see all sorts of people in all sorts of places. YOu can also reward her for just being in their presence with very nice food treats such as liver, and she will start to like strangers becauseshe will associate them with nice things.

Kids need to be introduced carefully and dogs who love family kids may not generalise that to other children. Take her near play parks and again use tasty treats, try not to let her be overwhelmed if kids want to stroke her,  make sure you remain in controll, and any stroking should be on the chest and not the head which can scare a puppy :)

Lindsay