Liesje
Posted : 8/3/2010 10:52:58 AM
Nerves are a huge problem in all lines of the breed. I'm not familiar with this type of military training but if the dog was deployed at age 2, the training could have been rushed. GSDs are slow to mature, both physically AND mentally. Nikon is basically trained to Schutzhund 3 level but I doubt I will start trialing him even for the SchH1 until he is 2.5 years (spring 2011) or even 3 years old. He is 2 months shy of 2 years and I have seen a lot of mental/temperament changes and developments just this summer, who knows what is still in store! I know with this type of work it's hard to juggle the cost of the dogs and training vs. the length of time they work so they can capitalize on all their resources but these are dogs, not machines. The PTSD angle seems a little sensational to me, IMO this is a dog that may not have had the nerve to begin with, but you don't really know what you are working with until a dog *is* mature. It is not uncommon for dogs to change how they work and act around that age (often the same age when dogs who previously got along decide they will fight to the death). It's just sad that of course the dog pays the price.