Just For Fun... - Page 1

A friend on a Tolkien message board knows I like GSDs and posted this just for me. It's far too good not to share!

Hats off to the owner(s).  I always wanted to do that with my pack of GSDs, but at the time didn't know what I now do. I am always a little envious, ok lots, envious of people that can do that with their pack.  I would love to learn what people do to keep such calm packs when all the dogs are in the same area like the above picture.


So if any of you have tricks, tips, pearls of wisdom, knowledge gained and willing to share, and so on, PM me, I would really like some advice and wisdom on how to do this with 2 older dogs set in their ways (PM and I will explain what I mean by this) and will be introducing a pup or 2 soon, that is if all works out.  The pups will be spaced apart in age, by 4-6 months. Please, I enjoy your knowledge and tidbits, pearls of wisdom, and good training advice.  I would like to add my own Christmas card here with all my dogs happy by each other.....

Thanks

Mindhunterk9 [Mindhunt]

Mindhunt, do you train your dogs in obedience? In an AKC/CKC Companion Dog obedience class, your dog would have to do a 3 minute down/stay, lying in close proximity to other dogs, just as shown in the photo. Some dogs learn it quickly (my first GSD) others are harder to train (my current female!)  I would train each dog to do this individually, then once the down/stay was rock solid, add another, then another, until all dogs were in the picture. Use a squeaky toy or other favourite toy to get their ears up, and there you have it! A great picture for your Christmas card!

I should try doing this with my three...

Mindhunt, just because they're lying there for a pic together doesn't mean they love each other. It's a great exercise to do with DA dogs, actually. When I had nothing to do but mess with my dogs (oh, those were the days!) I could easily have around 5 of them lying together. Then you can take one and walk him/her over all the others, switch dogs, repeat. Great exercise for control. 

Nice pic, hehe!  Reminds me of one day I got home from work and DH said this guy had come to our door trying to sell us a security alarm system.  He wouldn't leave and DH was getting annoyed, having to restrain my dogs with this guy at the door.  Finally he said, "does it look like I need an alarm system?" and the guy shrugged and left.

I would have encouraged him to leave by letting go of the dogs....

One thing we don't know is how many attempts were made to get that photo, before the dogs all behaved as the owner wanted...

Also, they look more like American style dogs, so this might have made it a bit easier, as they wouldn't have the drive of working line dogs.

But hey, if a police academy can get their dogs to pose for the photo below (part of their graduation exercise) we should be able to get ours to stay long enough for a group photo!