GSD 11 Months and I am burning out fast. - Page 3

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by Gertrude Besserwisser on 14 October 2018 - 22:10

I would be very careful with some of the advice you received here. In the age of the internet, even doctors are diagnosing without seeing the patient, Without seeing the dog in person, it is very difficult to come up with a plan, a course of action, tailored to your dog's individual needs and its personality. The best advice, in my opinion, that you received, is to seek out an experienced trainer who has worked with hundreds of dogs and has had experience solving the kinds of problems you are experiencing. But before you go, decide what your goals are. If you are looking for a couch potato that is easy going, you may have the wrong dog and all of the training in the world is not going to make him into that.

Just remember, even though you may not be teaching, the dog is still learning. Dogs keep learning until the last breath they take. It may not be what you want them to learn, but nonetheless, they are learning.

Jessejones

by Jessejones on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

Frau Besserwisser, I assume you mean some of my advice is not sound, as I have done most of it here. If not, my apologies.

One of the FIRST things I said is to go to a qualified dog trainer. And, yes, advice on the internet is always to be read carefully, and digested and applied (or not) according to ones experience, which the op has many years of.

But, for example, if you live in an area like mine..there are very few trainers. And none with GSD experience. While dog training theories are the same for a Pekinese or a Great Dane, there are differences too. And I would definitely want someone with GSD experience. Many dogs have been ruined by trainers as well. There are a lot of newbie trainers lately. It has become a fad, so careful who you trust.

The cost where I live for a one-on-one training session for only 1 hour is US$100. Won’t get you very far. Worse, is going an unqualified trainer, of which there are many. Or going to Pet Co et al which I’m sure no one means here.
The OP mentioned having gone to puppy classes. Well, for example, they sometimes don’t work as well for some GSD puppies, as the op noticed.

The OP asked for advice. So if some of the advice in this thread so far seems unsound. Then lets open the dialog and get into details.


1Ruger1

by 1Ruger1 on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

He’s still only a baby!
And quite a handsome little rascal !!
If you are committed to the dog and love him seek out help from someone reputable that comes with referrals!!! People over an internet as much as they want to be helpful and supportive CAN NOT read your dogs behavior accurately through cyber space communication !!
Your first post sounded like you were not completely committed to this dog to the extent that you said you were going to give him to a rescue 🤔,,,, ?
If that is the case I suggest finding someone now who can commit to the little guy and get things straightened out while he’s still young.
He deserves that.
😊

by Vito Andolini on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

My first thoughts are on the statement that you requested a "low to medium drive " puppy from a "respected" breeder.

Any breeder I respect would tell me to look at another breed if I requested low drives. I'm not saying that they're not out there, but that isn't what I look for in a German Shepherd. Perhaps, your experience with older German Shepherds has lead you to believe that they are easy couch potatoes, but a well bred GSD that is capable of doing what the breed is supposed to be, will never be a couch potato at 11 months.

Someone mentioned never using a flirt pole? Well, this person is probably like the previous owners of your rescues. They kill all drive and instill obedience like Kohler in 1984. I'm not telling you to use that flirt pole 24/7, but anyone who doesn't use their drive as a motivation in obedience is stuck in the Solid Gold Era. I could take that puppy and have it looking like a whiz if it has the drive you think it does. Not using the tools this dog brings to the table is a joke. I would watch who I listen to if they don't listen to you. You're being told to take away the only thing that motivates this dog, for what? To starve it and use food, which doesn't motivate it now, as a motivation? Really?

Sometimes a dog just isn't a good fit. And I m not saying that easily. If someone has health issues, etc, then that is a legitimate concern, but to just get rid of a dog because it doesn't act like an 8 year old GSD? I would really love to see this puppy with the flirt pole. In this day, with cell phones, it isn't hard to post a video. I'd guess that this little guy probably isn't the prey monster he's made out to be.


1Ruger1

by 1Ruger1 on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

I’m compelled to add ~ I am concerned over the tone of your first post. Honestly, the most important piece is having the “dedication” nesseasry to MAKE it work, out of the love and commitment you have for the dog!
That is 101!!

Admitting that you aren’t commitment for whatever reason, and moving the animal along with someone that is, is more kind to the animal.
I don’t think a rescue is the answer at all !
Call the breeder and they will most likely place the pup.
If I’m wrong about your intentions, then I’m wrong, and sorry. 

My hope is that in time things work out for you and this pup. 😊


by Gertrude Besserwisser on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

Hats off to the last three posts from messers Jessejones, Rugeri and Andolini. To paraphrase Robert Browning, all that you need to know is contained in these posts.

by joanro on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

I said take the flirt pole away, since the pup has been imprinted on it, and it is his whole world.
How does not liking the flirt pole equate to " kill all drive and instill obedience like Kohler in 1984" ?

You find using a ball to motivate, killing drive also? There are more ways than the flirt pole to motivate a pup.
Causing a pup to be obsessed with the thing, with exclusion of the rest of the world, is not motivation.
The pup has been fed raw, so what Food has the owner been trying to motivate him with? A raw chicken leg in her pocket ?

My first advice was return the pup to the breeder.


Appleboat26

by Appleboat26 on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

I appreciate everyone's advice and encouragement and I have already experienced some positive results. I needed to draw the line and never allow him to break my rules without consequences. At least, that's working right now...but I can already see him planning his next move...so we shall see.

I also have a great trainer, who is experienced with GSDs and really helped me with my last dog. When we started she came out swinging every time another dog entered into her personal demarcation zone...mostly noise and bluster...but not a good look. When we finished she could zigzag through a line of dogs on leashes with their owners and not over-react. It was amazing. He determined she didn't trust me to protect her so he worked with me, mostly...and taught me how to convince her I wouldn't let anything happen to her and I would always have her back. She was a rescue and she had very good reasons to feel insecure, but he helped her feel more comfortable in the world...and that was everything. I checked tonight and he is still in business, so I also have that in my bag of tricks.

Experience is the best teacher...and one of the few good things about getting old is you have lots of experience. I appreciate everyone's advice and their time, but I also know not everything will work for me and this dog...but some of it will...and your help and encouragement means everything to me.

I was just so defeated this morning.

So thank you again...everyone.

Appleboat26

by Appleboat26 on 15 October 2018 - 00:10

I used a treat made from dried Tripe when he was very young and it worked for a while, but never enough to distract him from whatever else he was hyper-focusing on...then I used cooked chicken and beef and pork...and again, he is not really that into food...of any kind. I have tried cheese, and hot dogs, and liver, and numerous commercial treats...none of it really interests him and he often takes it and then spits it out.

I introduced the flirt just within the past few months...and he LOVED it. It is kept in a deck box off the patio and he will just sit in front of the deck box and stare at it. Which is fine, until he starts trying to make me do what he wants...that's when the fun starts. The Flirt is in the garage for now. I am focusing on calm submissive behavior and I am removing anything that makes him crazy, for now.

by Vito Andolini on 15 October 2018 - 01:10

OP, best of luck with your boy.

Joan, I never read anything from you saying to use the ball, or it's given drives at all. I just got the part about starving the dog to motivate it. That's half the problem. If I have to starve a dog to gain dominance, stature, motivation interest, etc., the problem isn't with the dog, it is with me. I have already failed the dog and I am to blame. I am a weak person and this dog has taken full advantage of me. I'm a pushover. I'm also not as smart as a 12 week old puppy.





 


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