I used to have/train German Shepherds - possibly the most obedient dogs of all the breeds currently used for "Security" purposes. They can become very loyal to their owner/master and will endanger themselves to protect.
If you are minding them for someone, you will have to seek confirmation from owner as to their level of training.
No dog has instinctive "attack" mindset - Most dogs that "Fail" Armed service or Police training tend to be too playful and are unwilling to attack on command.
No ex-service dog would be allowed to go to a private household if it had any tendencies that would make it unsuitable as a family pet.

They may tend to have an attitude that "you are not my boss", but it would be rare for one to attack without provocation.

Contact owner and find out Kennel Name of dog/s, their ages, whether ever shown or have they done any obedience training.
There are German Shepherd owner training clubs throughout Australia - depending on your period of fostering it may pay for you to contact a local club and attend one of their training days - They train you - not the dog.
PM me if you become stuck and out of your depth with them - If you are within reasonable distance I would come to you to assist.

Some info on NSW K9 www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/organisational_structure/units/dog_unit

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

---

I suggest that generalising about the nature of a particular breed of dog is about as sensible as doing the same with humans.
Each dog is different, depending on its own nature and experiences in the past.
Cheers,
Peter

---

 That's what I used to tell all my relo's about my pig dog ...  3/4 English Bull Terrier & 1/4 Greyhound.  .. especially when he was playing with the ear of one of the kids.  Never drew blood.  Just liked the screams I think.   

He once went completely off his brain when attacking the ear of a sow who had been head shot.  He was only 18 mths old at the time & still learning. Fortunately there was a nearby melon hole full of water to toss him into.    True story ....

My Son bred White German Shepherds for several years (I think that they call them Swiss White Shepherds these days). 

They were always the most affectionate & docile dogs.  Perhaps it was the way they were raised.  Knew who the leader was & their place in the pack.

 

https://www.animalwised.com/dog-breeds/swiss-white-shepherd.html

-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 18th of June 2020 03:46:35 PM

Back in my student years I had a job looking after German Shepherds for a breeder. In those days there was not a very good breeding stock in Australia as these dogs were not allowed to be brought into the country due to the war and the perception of the dog. The people I worked for had brought some in through New Zealand (I think they told the authorities they were labradors) and then started the breeding.

My job was to wash, exercise and help with the early education of these dogs such as teaching them basic commands through hand signals. When they were about two years old some would then go to the military with some to the police dog squad and the rest were kept for breeding and show.

They are without a doubt the most intelligent dog one could wish to meet. They are not a dog to be kept in the backyard with just a walk now and then, they are working dogs. Although they are obedient when trained, they decide who is their boss. I know with the pups when I would tell them to sit or stay, if the owner was about they would look at him as if to say "do I have to listen to this guy". When he was not about they would do everything I asked of them. 

When these dogs were walked they walked on your left side slightly behind your left knee. I watch people with dogs who are out in front with the owner water skiing behind. Those dogs thinks they are in charge and that is why the dumb owner has no control.

These dogs were treatly very kindly, were never hit or yelled at, just a firm "no" when they were slow to obey or did something they were not supposed to.

I met a few of these dogs that I looked after years later and they all recognized me as soon as I approached. Just a beautiful dog.

DMaxer wrote:

---

Back in my student years I had a job looking after German Shepherds for a breeder. In those days there was not a very good breeding stock in Australia as these dogs were not allowed to be brought into the country due to the war and the perception of the dog. The people I worked for had brought some in through New Zealand (I think they told the authorities they were labradors) and then started the breeding.

My job was to wash, exercise and help with the early education of these dogs such as teaching them basic commands through hand signals. When they were about two years old some would then go to the military with some to the police dog squad and the rest were kept for breeding and show.

They are without a doubt the most intelligent dog one could wish to meet. They are not a dog to be kept in the backyard with just a walk now and then, they are working dogs. Although they are obedient when trained, they decide who is their boss. I know with the pups when I would tell them to sit or stay, if the owner was about they would look at him as if to say "do I have to listen to this guy". When he was not about they would do everything I asked of them. 

When these dogs were walked they walked on your left side slightly behind your left knee. I watch people with dogs who are out in front with the owner water skiing behind. Those dogs thinks they are in charge and that is why the dumb owner has no control.

These dogs were treatly very kindly, were never hit or yelled at, just a firm "no" when they were slow to obey or did something they were not supposed to.

I met a few of these dogs that I looked after years later and they all recognized me as soon as I approached. Just a beautiful dog.

---

 I'm a bit different to most in that although I am pedantic about dogs walking beside my left leg, I prefer them to have their head/nose just in front of my legs.  

Perhaps it is because I was heavily into hunting dogs for a number of years & preferred the dog to be scanning the surrounds as we walked.   Of course when hunting pigs I would usually have him ranging around me just within eyesight.  The trick was to be able to call them/him off if the pig was too big etc.

I have heard it said that show dogs are usually walked just in front of the handler, but am not certain of this.

The important thing is that it is not a tug of war.  Hate that.  It can't be fun for either party.

 

My son is waiting for a dog out of the next litter from a black German Shepherd bitch in SA.  Selected partly because of the unfashionable more upright hind quarters.   A companion for his remaining ageing Swiss White.  A candidate for dog heaven .. that's the environment at his place I mean.

DMaxer wrote:

---

Hi Cupid. The reason why the dogs were trained to walk just behind was because part of the training required the handler to change direction either left or right at 90 degrees and for the dog to turn as well . If they were in front the handler could either trip over the dog on a left turn or pull the dog off balance on a right turn. If the dog got in front a quick heel command brought him back. They responded quickly to any turns as well.

---

 Thanks for that, sounds sensible albeit in a different situation.   I'm sure that the experts would have come up with the best practice.

I was using the dog to be looking forward focusing on the game & developed my practice in relative isolation.

 

Possum3 wrote:

---

Cupie wrote:

---

 

I have heard it said that show dogs are usually walked just in front of the handler, but am not certain of this.

---

When showing dogs: Parade walk; dog is at right knee. Parade trot; lead is lifted and dog should raise head and maintain trot pace of handler, even when going through race/chicane.  Field trials dog is sent ahead of handler and controlled by whistle or voice command.

 

Military/police dogs should be at heel (beside knee) until given a special/unique training word (one syllable word).

Seeing eye and assistance dogs are trained to lead either left handed or right handed to suit their buddy/owner. Due to having to ensure buddy is clear of any obstacle.

---

 Just confirms what I said in a previous post.

The amount of knowledge on almost every subject, that is available on this Forum is astounding.