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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > A few questions about the german shep pups (13 replies)
A few questions about the german shep pups by Michele1982 on 28 May 2012 - 13:09 |
| My female pup is always panting..even though she is in the house with the air conditioning. She always feels a little hot to the touch. Is this normal for her since she is only 4 months old? Another question is the following: She never barks at people, but always barks at other dogs. I'm am having her go through obedience training so when she turns a year old she can be a therapy dog. How do i get her to chill out with the barking at other dogs? I dont want any thing aggressive on her, or towards her when she trains. So what kind of positive reinforcement can i use to get her to settle down with the barking? Thank you for any comments and suggestions. |
by SitasMom on 28 May 2012 - 13:48 |
When she barks at other dogs are her hackles up? |
by beetree on 28 May 2012 - 14:03 |
| You need to teach her a "no" or "stop" command. Some folks like to say phooey? Any way. When she barks at another dog, give her the command. Each and everytime. If she doesn't obey, leash her and crate her for a time out. The always panting issue...have you talked to your vet about this concern? All we can do is take wild or educated guesses. |
beetree by trixx on 28 May 2012 - 15:48 |
| i would have a pinch collar on her to correct her when she barks if you cant stop her by saying No, also her panting could also be stress, and she may be unsure and very stressed out, i have a puppy right now i am working on these things as last owner never socalized her in different enviroments she is now 11 months. she also puts up her hair with strange dogs and i can tell she wants to bark but as soon as i see her hair come up i correct her, and then she gets over it as i dis approve of that behavior. also have you taken her to puppy classes ? i highly recommend you do soon. she may also be in a fear stage. |
trixx by joanro on 28 May 2012 - 16:15 |
| If the barking at other dogs is fear motivated, the crating AND the prong collar are going to reinforce the fear. You, the owner, need to determine if the barking is fear, play, or aggression. Each will require a different approach to correct. |
by beetree on 28 May 2012 - 16:40 |
Well, good point Joanro. I never used the crate much for anything myself, "experts" would suggest it to me so I did kind of fall into that as a benevolent philosophy. I mean it must have worked for someone, somewhere?  OP, it might be helpfut to know, where is the dog while barking, in the home, the yard, a walk? Are the hackle raised, tail curled? The most important thing though, I would think is to communicate to the dog, that you have the situation under control. they need to be taught to take your cue, as their brave and competent leader. |
by joanro on 28 May 2012 - 17:40 |
| Beetree, crating only removes the pup from the situation. To me, changing the environment where there is an issue is not training or solving a problem. |
by susie on 28 May 2012 - 17:51 |
| A pinch collar for a 4 months old puppy ???? I hope this wasn´t serious... |
susie by Conspicuous on 28 May 2012 - 18:02 |
| Also, I was told to never use the crate as punishment or banishment? I might be wrong, I'm no expert. PS. puppy classes are an excellent suggestion! |
Conspicuous by susie on 28 May 2012 - 18:09 |
| Conspiciuous. You are right |
by Ctidmore on 28 May 2012 - 18:23 |
| Question: "I am having her go through obedience classes" are you taking her to class and doing the learning and training with her? Or sending her to someone for them to train? I wasn't sure on that point. However ALL the classes you and the dog can attend will be the best and easiest way to solve this problem. She is young enough that you can ask more experienced people in the classes if your dog can be introduced to their dog if theirs is friendly. Also another way is to just practice heeling along side someone else experienced and usually in a short time the dog doesn't even pay attention to the other dogs. But doing this a LOT is VERY beneficial. IMO The panting would have to see to truly understand if something to worry about, or just a normal panting. If you feel really concerned a vet check is always the way to go. IMO |
Ctidmore by Red Sable on 28 May 2012 - 18:33 |
I'd redirect her focus to you, then treat. Get her out and about to see other dogs often, never close always from a far, so she has no bad experiences. Ideally, you want her to ignore them, and IMO the best way to do that is to get her to focus on you instead, (which is always a postive thing, which is why you give her a treat. ) Be consistent. As she matures, if she still has a problem with other dogs, you will need to do firmer corrections to let her know it is not acceptable and that you are in charge of the situation. |
Red Sable by guddu on 28 May 2012 - 20:13 |
| I think GSD's pant a lot, as they stay cool through their tongues... |
guddu by MVF on 30 May 2012 - 05:06 |
| NO PINCH COLLARS ON A PUPPY! AND ESPECIALLY NOT BEFORE YOU FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS A MEDICAL ISSUE. Just how hot is your house with the A/C going? Some people think 78 degrees F is okay -- but that is hot for a gsd pup. If she needs to live in a hot place, you need to (1) brush her daily to keep the undercoat as light as possible; (2) keep cool water available all the time; (3) position a fan blowing in a place that she can get to readily when she is in distress. But, of course, you need to get to the vet to do some testing. |
MVF
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