9 mo black gsd male without basic obedience. Help - Page 1

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by Max39 on 20 December 2020 - 12:12

Good afternoon, I’m brand new to here. We just got a 9 months old puppy from an older man who could not keep up with dogs care. The dog is gorgeous and sweet but knows no commands. Not even his own name. Very strong already. Doesn’t know sit, down, here etc. no crate training. Separation anxiety also present as of now. I don’t know if it’s because everything is so new to him. Doesn’t walk on a leash good either. Wild dog he is.
I just don’t know where to begin our training with him. I know he doesn’t know us yet. So no reason to listen either. I have fenced in back yard so this helped with going to potty and small leash walks. Trying positive reinforcement already. Little play with a toy too. Clicker and choke collar. All I have for now. I ordered ecollar too. Problem is he doesn’t care much for treats. Or toys. Just human contact.
Any advice on thanksgiving hat to do first with him would be very appreciated.
Thank you


Hired Dog

by Hired Dog on 20 December 2020 - 12:12

Sure...you do not know each other yet, there is no time crunch, so, spend the next two weeks doing nothing but getting to know the dog and the dog getting to know you.
Walk with him, no commands, feed him, play with him, let him get comfy to his new environment. During those times, see how he responds to you or what you have, he may develop more food drive or interest in toys.
You dont need an E collar yet, basic, fundamental work can be done on a flat collar for most dogs. Spend that time and learn together, then you can start thinking about training.
If you dont know what you are doing training wise, no one here will be able to give you the details you need to train a dog because no one can see you two working. If there is a local trainer who is balanced in their methods, seek them out and talk about assisting you.

Much To Learn

by Much To Learn on 20 December 2020 - 12:12

You don't mention how long you have had your new boy but give him at least a couple weeks to adjust to his new surroundings and start to build a bond with you. I wouldn't let him get away with any outlandish behavior but I also would not ask to much from him right away. Once he seems a bit more settled, I would start rewarding him every time he focuses on you. You want eye contact, no matter how short, and reward him with patting or physical contact since he seems to enjoy that. Put a name to it like Look or Focus or anything short you want. From there, I would start from scratch as if he was an 8 week old puppy. Build on the eye contact into a sit with eye contact. Reserve your physical contact as a reward. Try using small pieces of chicken or liver (there must be a recipe on here somewhere for liver) and begin to use food as a reward. Find a food reward that he loves and reserve it only for training purposes. Your timing is key... reward him generously for the right behaviors immediately at first. Gradually, you can stretch out the time he has to keep eye contact with you before rewarding him. Just take baby steps with him and I'm sure you'll do fine. Regarding the e-collar, you don't need it right now. Maybe down the road a bit but not now. 


by ValK on 20 December 2020 - 14:12

every dog are unique by itself but all dogs identical in perceiving relationship, be it with human or another of own kind. that's hierarchy.
if you want that dog to be obedient, foremost you need to establish your own leading role in his eyes - smarter, stronger and fair leader.
without that there can't be any training.

b.t.w. relying on someone else to train your dog has own downside. dog can develop respect to that person but could remain totally lukewarm and non respectful to real owner.

by Max39 on 20 December 2020 - 15:12

Thank you everyone for the input. I had him for 1 day now. I realize that it’s nothing. I have child and another older dog at home so it has to be safe for all of them too. The puppy is sweet and loves cuddles. I think he was mainly like a baby for his previous owner, not a dog. I am trying to just calm the dog down and not ask much of him yet. But when my child opens door to go outside he tries to escape and I cannot let it happen. If I try to take trash out, he pushes me to the side and runs out. I was lucky few times and grabbed him by a collar but my daughter (7yo) won’t be able to do so. I’m concerned about his safety. I tell him no, but he doesn’t respond. I push him away, or even spray water at him to get his attention, but nothing. I feel like if I don’t do anything and not establish myself as a leader, he will escape and get hurt. I can barely hold him on a leash. But with pinch color he listens better. I do stop when he pulls it, and continue walking when he does good. Lots of praise too. Unfortunately when my other dog is around, he doesn’t care.

He is also very vocal. And let’s everyone now that there is something he doesn’t like. Crying like a baby for sure 🙂

I have been putting him in a crate few times today. He howled for 30 minutes but then stopped. Even fell asleep. I let him sleep and when he was up, praised him. So there is hope 🙂

 

my main concern is tomorrow I have to go to work. Do I leave him free in the house or crate? He doesn't know crate much but after putting him in the crate for second time just now he cried only for 5 minutes and now has been sleeping for 30 min. 


Hired Dog

by Hired Dog on 20 December 2020 - 15:12

I cant tell you to put this dog in a crate or not, I dont know if he will stress bark to the point of bloat. At the same time, I cant tell you to leave him lose because I dont know if he will destroy your house.
I can tell you that even when you are not training, you ARE training, meaning the dog is learning from ALL interactions with you, so, make sure that you are consistent with what you do with him.
I use a method called NILIF, nothing in life is free, since the puppy is 7 weeks old. They learn that if they want something, they have to offer me something first.
I just got done playing ball with my 8 month old puppy...he wanted to chase it, but, he has to look at my face before the ball goes...every time.
He gets to play, yes, but, he also learns about contact. Next time he brings the ball back, I may ask him to sit or down or bark or stay while I throw it but he has to wait to get it..again, he plays, yes, but, he also performs.

Leadership is learned in dogs by who controls all resources, food, shelter, toys, etc. Dogs have no problem understanding and accepting this, because they are masters in reading body language and because they want access to those resources, so, perform and resource becomes available to you.
Think of yourself as being a benevolent dictator, it works great. Be consistent in what you ask, make sure you always get what you ask for, the first time, reward heavily for any success.
As far as someone else training your dog for you, its standard for those with no experience to have it done and you wont believe how many dogs I have seen completely screwed because their owners insisted on training them themselves with zero experience.

by jillmissal on 20 December 2020 - 16:12

You have GOT to confine this dog. Giving him the run of the house with small children is already going to be a disaster! Don't "spray water on him" to try to get him to do what you want. Have this dog in a pen or crate or on a leash 100% of the time.

Don't leave for work and just leave him in a crate. If you think you have problems now, wait until you do this for 8-10 hours! And definitely don't just let him run the house. You need to find a way to be around for a while so this dog can have some structure. It's not fair to him to have him for one day, shove him in a crate for the first time ever, then leave for 9 hours.

This just doesn't seem like a great situation for this dog; you need to find some in person help, and immediately. If you tell us where you are we can maybe point you to a good balanced trainer or maybe even another home for the dog if it comes to that.


Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 20 December 2020 - 16:12

Hi. Sounds like you may well have taken on more than you can reasonably cope with. This is to all intents & purposes just like bringing home a new puppy; just a very large & strong one ! [Would you only take one day at home to settle-in an 8 week old pup ?]

First things first = How long will you be out at work tomorrow ? A couple of hours may be one thing, a full working day is another matter entirely. He sounds as though he may be taking to being crated okay, but that acceptance may be ruined by leaving him in the crate for too long, too soon. And may trigger messy problems, so be prepared to have to clean up. (Replies are right about him needing time to adjust to his new home and lifestyle). On the other hand leaving him free may prove equally disastrous. So how about his toileting needs ? I wonder just how house-trained is he, if he doesn't even know his own name yet ? Can you arrange it so he only has access to one room, that he cannot escape, and where he can't do too much damage, either to himself or your home ? Is there going to be someone home with him while you are gone ? You do not mention a spouse/partner, just the child. If necessary can you get a dog-walker or neighbour to come and look in on him / take him outside, during the day ?

If he gets on with your older dog he may get some examples of how to behave, but on the other hand there are no guarantees with that.

At 9 months, he is at the equivalent of a 'teenage' stage in his life, and doggy teenagers (especially unschooled ones) can be awkward or destructive - are you prepared for that ? This may be one reason his last owner could not cope. If so he will need a lot of patience, and there are unlikely to be fast solutions.

I do wish you good luck with him - but I am afraid you are going to need it !

by ValK on 20 December 2020 - 17:12

you said you have fenced yard.
what a problem to leave him outside and ask your kid just from time to time check on him?

b.t.w. the one day is quite short time to begin training.
you should start from acquaintance.


Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 21 December 2020 - 04:12

ValK - the kid is 7 ! Isn't there some Law about not leaving children that young home alone while someone works ?





 


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