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by Kimberlysm on 09 June 2013 - 00:06
Hi! I'm new to the forum. I Have owned GSDs since 1994 (6 total). BUT, I didn't know for the longest time that there were differences such as show line and working line. Just really not experienced or around anyone who ever really talked about it. My dogs were maybe considered pet quality then? As all were relatively easy for me to handle and I had no issues with them (especially since I was and probably really still am a novice in many ways). I have a not quite 6 mos. old female now that is different than any of the other GSDs I have previously owned. She is giving me fits! lol I know it is ME who is not doing things right. It's been 6 yrs. since I've had a puppy, so have really gotten rusty. Also, I lived rurally with all of my other dogs. I'm now living in the city. I never realized the difference that could make in raising a pup. I will try to keep this as short as possible, and will try to get to the point.
My last GSD had to be euthanized in January due to having osteosarcoma at 5 1/2 yrs. of age. The most horrible thing I've had to deal with thus far with any of my dogs. So, my son gave me Lily (current puppy) for my birthday this year. Way too soon after losing my last one, but he was well intentioned. I had talked to the owners/breeders of all previous dogs and had a good idea of health, temperament. they were registered, etc. I'm not surprised with hindsight being 20/20... That none of them bothered to inform me of the finer details of the breed such as the different lines. They just wanted to sell me a puppy I think. (Sorry, will try to leave out TMI). This pup, I have no real clue about and she is something else! An extremely fast learner! But, also the MOST stubborn dog ever! (for me anyway). Have been working with her as best I can, but know I am doing many things wrong. The man my son got her from said the dam was from "American lines and the sire from German import lines" No papers for her as the breeder "lost them" Anyway, I wasn't familiar with the differences. I just thought that meant they were bred from lines from a different country, no biggie. Of course, now I know how wrong I was. So, one of the problems that I'm dealing with... I live with someone who has a neutered APBT. Lily will not leave him alone. She is constantly wanting to play, but very rough. Always biting at his ears, body, etc. I know puppies do that, but she doesn't seem to want to stop. I end up having to separate them for the male dogs sake as he is 8 yrs. old and doesn't need her chewing on him all of the time.
I've kind of been lurking here for a few days to look through the forum, I wasn't sure how to word this without sounding stupid. But, I need to do something different as she is getting older/bigger and shows no sign of getting bored with chewing him up. I will let them play for awhile and then separate them. I don't want to over/wrongly correct her, but know I need to do something more as she isn't getting it. She has other things I would like to learn how to deal with, but I'm afraid of this post getting too long. She really is very stubborn. She used to bite hands and feet (as puppies do)...I got her to quit that, but it was soo hard compared to any of my other dogs. And, she bit way harder than any other puppy I've been around. I hope I worded this so somebody understands what it is I'm asking. I can be very wordy without getting my point across like I want to.
I hope you all don't mind me asking for lots of advice as she matures. Lily, is making me feel as if I've never had a dog before! I have a feeling some of you may end up sick of me. lol
My last GSD had to be euthanized in January due to having osteosarcoma at 5 1/2 yrs. of age. The most horrible thing I've had to deal with thus far with any of my dogs. So, my son gave me Lily (current puppy) for my birthday this year. Way too soon after losing my last one, but he was well intentioned. I had talked to the owners/breeders of all previous dogs and had a good idea of health, temperament. they were registered, etc. I'm not surprised with hindsight being 20/20... That none of them bothered to inform me of the finer details of the breed such as the different lines. They just wanted to sell me a puppy I think. (Sorry, will try to leave out TMI). This pup, I have no real clue about and she is something else! An extremely fast learner! But, also the MOST stubborn dog ever! (for me anyway). Have been working with her as best I can, but know I am doing many things wrong. The man my son got her from said the dam was from "American lines and the sire from German import lines" No papers for her as the breeder "lost them" Anyway, I wasn't familiar with the differences. I just thought that meant they were bred from lines from a different country, no biggie. Of course, now I know how wrong I was. So, one of the problems that I'm dealing with... I live with someone who has a neutered APBT. Lily will not leave him alone. She is constantly wanting to play, but very rough. Always biting at his ears, body, etc. I know puppies do that, but she doesn't seem to want to stop. I end up having to separate them for the male dogs sake as he is 8 yrs. old and doesn't need her chewing on him all of the time.
I've kind of been lurking here for a few days to look through the forum, I wasn't sure how to word this without sounding stupid. But, I need to do something different as she is getting older/bigger and shows no sign of getting bored with chewing him up. I will let them play for awhile and then separate them. I don't want to over/wrongly correct her, but know I need to do something more as she isn't getting it. She has other things I would like to learn how to deal with, but I'm afraid of this post getting too long. She really is very stubborn. She used to bite hands and feet (as puppies do)...I got her to quit that, but it was soo hard compared to any of my other dogs. And, she bit way harder than any other puppy I've been around. I hope I worded this so somebody understands what it is I'm asking. I can be very wordy without getting my point across like I want to.
I hope you all don't mind me asking for lots of advice as she matures. Lily, is making me feel as if I've never had a dog before! I have a feeling some of you may end up sick of me. lol
by Kimberlysm on 09 June 2013 - 01:06
I wanted to add... When I take her for short bike rides she does excellent. But, when we just walk, she sees another dog (of which there are many in the area I live) and wants to pull and bark and bark. She is very food motivated so I take treats with us to give her when she does this. But, she wants to keep barking at them and totally loses focus on me. Granted- she only starts in after they have already rushed to their fences and start barking crazily at her. But, I know her behavior isn't acceptable. I just would like maybe a few ideas of what I could try? Thank you...
by Kimberlysm on 09 June 2013 - 01:06
I must have bombed at how I worded my posts... oops! I figured I'd do that. Just want to share a few pictures of my 2 GSDs that are living with my ex husband. They aren't with me as the oldest (Blue) is 10 yrs old and Jaddy is his best friend. I didn't want to take them from all of the land they have at home. And, I get to see them all of the time and think they are much happier with living there. I hope I do this right. And, then I'll stop posting anything unless someone has some advice. I feel kinda dumb being the only poster in my own thread.
Blue
Jaddy
And Miss Lily
Blue
Jaddy
And Miss Lily
by Kaffirdog on 09 June 2013 - 05:06
Hi Kimberly
Sounds like you need to spend more time playing with your puppy, make yourself fun and interesting and she won't need to satisfy her drives by pestering the other dog and will be too focussed on you to bother with strange dogs. Play tug with her, let her win and encourage her to bring the tug back to continue the interactive game, I bet she will love to tug. Once she's got the idea and keen to push you to continue the game, you can use the tug instead of food to get her attention back on you, if she barks at other dogs, move away from them as far as you can, give the lead a sharp jerk WITHOUT SAYING A WORD and flourish the tug, if you have spent enough time getting her keen on the game, she will be on the tug straight away and forget all about the other dog. When she turns and looks at you as soon as you start to move back, you can start using a word and in no time, as soon as you say it, she will focuss on you.
Instead of bike rides, shich I personally feel she is too young for, take her somewhere where you can either let her free or at least be on a long line, tease her with the tug and when she is crazy for it, throw it out of sight, gently pull her back from it and let her search for it, searching games will tire her mind as well as her body.
Margaret N-J
Sounds like you need to spend more time playing with your puppy, make yourself fun and interesting and she won't need to satisfy her drives by pestering the other dog and will be too focussed on you to bother with strange dogs. Play tug with her, let her win and encourage her to bring the tug back to continue the interactive game, I bet she will love to tug. Once she's got the idea and keen to push you to continue the game, you can use the tug instead of food to get her attention back on you, if she barks at other dogs, move away from them as far as you can, give the lead a sharp jerk WITHOUT SAYING A WORD and flourish the tug, if you have spent enough time getting her keen on the game, she will be on the tug straight away and forget all about the other dog. When she turns and looks at you as soon as you start to move back, you can start using a word and in no time, as soon as you say it, she will focuss on you.
Instead of bike rides, shich I personally feel she is too young for, take her somewhere where you can either let her free or at least be on a long line, tease her with the tug and when she is crazy for it, throw it out of sight, gently pull her back from it and let her search for it, searching games will tire her mind as well as her body.
Margaret N-J
by Hundmutter on 09 June 2013 - 06:06
Excellent advice from Kaffirdog; (and I promise you, Margaret
does know what she is doing & talking about !). Also, you do
not mention whether you have, or intend to pick, a Training Class
to attend with your new girl. I would recommend that you see what
is available to you locally, it will almost certainly help to work
with other people & their dogs where you can discuss issues
and pick up tips. Proper basic obedience training will go a long
way to help you with your situation.
Perhaps you are being a little quick off the mark to remove the
little pest from her 'big brother', too ? I would think an 8 yr old
Pit would be quite capable of 'telling her off' himself if she gets
to be 'too much' - maybe you could try letting him deal with it
at his own pace ?
Yes lines of GSDs bred with sports or work in mind are livelier
than those churned out for purely 'pet' homes - but as long as
you put some energy into her, she does not have to always be
a pain to live with. Best of luck with her; keep us on PDB
in the loop as you progress. Great photos btw.
does know what she is doing & talking about !). Also, you do
not mention whether you have, or intend to pick, a Training Class
to attend with your new girl. I would recommend that you see what
is available to you locally, it will almost certainly help to work
with other people & their dogs where you can discuss issues
and pick up tips. Proper basic obedience training will go a long
way to help you with your situation.
Perhaps you are being a little quick off the mark to remove the
little pest from her 'big brother', too ? I would think an 8 yr old
Pit would be quite capable of 'telling her off' himself if she gets
to be 'too much' - maybe you could try letting him deal with it
at his own pace ?
Yes lines of GSDs bred with sports or work in mind are livelier
than those churned out for purely 'pet' homes - but as long as
you put some energy into her, she does not have to always be
a pain to live with. Best of luck with her; keep us on PDB
in the loop as you progress. Great photos btw.
by ChrissieT on 09 June 2013 - 17:06
And try to be as positive as you can. As Margaret said,' Don't say anything' If you have a fast pup, and you keep saying NO, they will switch off and ignore you!
by Kimberlysm on 10 June 2013 - 14:06
Thank you, so much for the good advice! From what you have said, I think maybe when I was correcting her I was talking too much in the process. Will definitely work on that. Margaret, when she goes for a bike ride it is at a slow pace and only 2 blocks at the most. A VERY slow pace really. Is that still too much? I think I will stop doing that anyway, maybe it's too much until she is a little older.
Hundmutter- You are right, she WAS being taken away from the other dog too soon I think. My fiance always separates them because the noise gets on his nerves. I read him this post and he's agreed to leave them together longer so they can work it out. Supervised, of course. The older dog is very laid back and doesn't really correct her like most dogs I've ever watched with a puppy that is so playful. When she has went and "visited" with my other GSDs she hasn't ever tried to pull that with them. Maybe, since she lives with the dog here she is just more comfortable with him? And thank you for saying the pictures are nice. Though, Lily looks kind of pin-headed in the photo I posted. lol She really is a pretty girl. Just at that awkward gangly stage.
Thank you too Chrissie T- I WAS talking (saying no) too many times.
Earlier today, I gave her a carrot to chew. When she was bored with it, my fiance took her in the other room and put her in a sit and told her to wait. he hid the carrot in the living room, and let her out and told her to find it. He showed her what he wanted her to do. She caught on really fast! I was totally surprised. I didn't think she'd get it so quickly. We played that game for a while and she seemed to enjoy it. Some time passed and she came over to me with the carrot and dropped it beside me on the couch. I got up to go into the other room and she hurried up and went into the room where earlier she had been put to "wait" while the carrot was hidden, and sat down waiting for me to close the door and hide it again :) . So, she has a new game to play with us which is awesome! Great advice! I appreciate the help. It may seem like common sense (what to do) to most on this site, but like I had mentioned-Has been awhile since I've had a puppy and need new ideas for this very active girl!
Hundmutter- You are right, she WAS being taken away from the other dog too soon I think. My fiance always separates them because the noise gets on his nerves. I read him this post and he's agreed to leave them together longer so they can work it out. Supervised, of course. The older dog is very laid back and doesn't really correct her like most dogs I've ever watched with a puppy that is so playful. When she has went and "visited" with my other GSDs she hasn't ever tried to pull that with them. Maybe, since she lives with the dog here she is just more comfortable with him? And thank you for saying the pictures are nice. Though, Lily looks kind of pin-headed in the photo I posted. lol She really is a pretty girl. Just at that awkward gangly stage.
Thank you too Chrissie T- I WAS talking (saying no) too many times.
Earlier today, I gave her a carrot to chew. When she was bored with it, my fiance took her in the other room and put her in a sit and told her to wait. he hid the carrot in the living room, and let her out and told her to find it. He showed her what he wanted her to do. She caught on really fast! I was totally surprised. I didn't think she'd get it so quickly. We played that game for a while and she seemed to enjoy it. Some time passed and she came over to me with the carrot and dropped it beside me on the couch. I got up to go into the other room and she hurried up and went into the room where earlier she had been put to "wait" while the carrot was hidden, and sat down waiting for me to close the door and hide it again :) . So, she has a new game to play with us which is awesome! Great advice! I appreciate the help. It may seem like common sense (what to do) to most on this site, but like I had mentioned-Has been awhile since I've had a puppy and need new ideas for this very active girl!
by Hundmutter on 10 June 2013 - 18:06
Excellent news.
Linda.
Linda.
by LadyFrost on 11 June 2013 - 10:06
She is a nice looking girl, love that focused look...i would recommend working on "off switch"...for example when you want her to stop with activities, running around, barking, etc. send her to her bed and make sure she stays there...when my dogs come in from outside they bring outside energy of "horses" and i have to send them to "bed" and they stay there till they completely come down.... it took a short while to get them to understand that they have no choice, He or She would get up you have to walk them back to bed and tell them down, as soon as you walk away they get up so you have to do this again and again till they realize that only choice is to stay "in bed". This normally is done after exercise so they are not full of energy, i also started with a chew toy or a bone and command "bed" with designated dog bed somewhere in a corner, than you move on to just a command, and you can move that dog bed anywhere and they will follow its location...this is one of those must have commands because one day you will walk in with hands full of stuff, or someone comes in with you and you need to get a quick control of your dog, sending them to bed and out of the way could be a priceless thing....I also use this when dogs get too ruff in the house, and one single command "bed" send them in their designated locations without me having to lift a finger or even to have to get up.
by Kimberlysm on 12 June 2013 - 10:06
Thank you LadyFrost! Lily knows "go to bed". But, in looking at the photo you posted- I think I should designate a place for her to go to bed out here in the main rooms. Right now, when we tell her to go to bed... She literally goes to her crate in the bedroom. I think she needs to learn it means different places in the house that we designate, right? And, thank you for saying she's a nice looking girl. She really does a good job looking right at me when I say her name. When I say her name she will stop what she's doing and sit and look at me and wait to see what I'm wanting from her.
As far as the other dog in the home, Zeux... It is still a pain when they get together. He doesn't seem to know how to get her to leave him alone. She just keeps at him. I know a big percentage of the time she isn't biting him hard, as I have intercepted her mouth with my hand on several occasions. It doesn't hurt, so she isn't BITING to hurt him. Just play. But, he acts (sometimes) like she is trying to kill him! He will even whimper if she looks like she's going to come at him. Should we have a set time we let them interact or let them work it out? This is the main problem and it is nerve wracking sometimes! As I mentioned... He is the only dog she does this with. Other dogs- she plays fine (normal) with.
As far as the other dog in the home, Zeux... It is still a pain when they get together. He doesn't seem to know how to get her to leave him alone. She just keeps at him. I know a big percentage of the time she isn't biting him hard, as I have intercepted her mouth with my hand on several occasions. It doesn't hurt, so she isn't BITING to hurt him. Just play. But, he acts (sometimes) like she is trying to kill him! He will even whimper if she looks like she's going to come at him. Should we have a set time we let them interact or let them work it out? This is the main problem and it is nerve wracking sometimes! As I mentioned... He is the only dog she does this with. Other dogs- she plays fine (normal) with.
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