The Bidens are once again in the national news, or rather their dog is. Commander, the Bidens’ German Shepherd, has apparently been chomping on a string of Secret Service agents. Between October 2022 and January 2023, he exercised his canines 10 times. And recently, it’s number 11.
So what exactly is going on here?
When the Bidens first entered the White House, they had a 13-yr old Shepherd, Champ and a younger Shepherd, Major. Champ was described as a sweet tempered dog, who regrettably passed away. Major, was a rescue, who chose to forego his kibble on numerous occasions for a bite of human steak. After a string of incidents, Major was sent to live with a family friend in Delaware.
The Bidens then adopted a new puppy, Commander, from a breeder, and came to the White House as a puppy in 2021 after passing his “temperament test.” So what has happened that has turned a cuddly, sweet puppy into a White House version of Cujo?
We’re not privy to how much training, what kind, and by whom that Commander has received. We also don’t know the various behaviors of the White House denizens toward Commander. Some people don’t like dogs at all, while others like dogs, but are wary to the point of fear when it comes to Shepherds.
As a dog owner of over 30 years, and a long-time Shepherd owner, if I were Commander’s breeder, I’d have been in contact with the White House after the second bite, very concerned over his behavior. Highly reputable breeders spend a great deal of effort ensuring that they are breeding sound, healthy dogs with a solid temperament.
For Commander to exhibit these “biting” behaviors suggests he is reacting to adverse actions he perceives as threats to him. However, in reading through Commander’s history, his behavior is indicative of a dog whose training has been insufficient to handle living in the White House, where there are numerous constantly changing personalities and activities.
Breeds like the German Shepherd Dog, Doberman Pinscher, Cane Corso, Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, to a name a few, are not trained like Beagles and Pointers. They require training by professionals well-versed in the handling of working-line dogs.
Commander is not quite two years old, and he’s been put into a position either by his owners and/or those handling him, where, in my point of view, he’s not receiving the attention and training reinforcement he needs to be an outstanding Shepherd. In other words, he’s being unintentionally set up to fail.
I’d like to hope that people who are reading these recurring stories are not forming ill opinions of the breed, because those of us who own them, train them and love and care for them, know there is nothing quite like a Shepherd.
So I’m hoping that the Bidens will recognize that Commander needs more hands-on care and training, and will take a pro-active approach in ensuring he gets the attention and training he needs to be a great dog.
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