I got a German Shepherd...HELP! - Page 1

 OK, so, My husband and I just recently moved to Hawaii and we've gotten a beautiful GS pup. He is now 8.5 weeks old and of coarse a handful. This is our first dog, so we've gotten no real experience with training/disciplining a pup besides what I've learned when I was a kid with our family labs (which has paid off in some regards). 

What type of discipling is too much or harsh? I've been watching the dog whisperer, and I don't ever see him hit a dog, but our pup won't respond to just a simple touch or shout. He had a puppy show, but it didn't really address those issues.

How do we keep him from biting us? We've been just tapping him and saying "no!" but he just thinks we're playing and continues. 

Also, he whines if we try to pick him up by the neck skin. I've always heard that it doesn't hurt them because their mom's do it to carry them, but it definitely seems to hurt him. Is he just too big for that now or is he just whining for the effect?

I'm very interested in training classes and Schutzhund training, but I have no idea how to get started or who to talk to.  I want to compete. How early can I start training?  I may even consider breeding at some point, but that may be a while.  Our pup has a very nice bloodline, and I would love to show him off. What do I  do to get started?

If you're interested in Schutzhund training, you don't want to discourage biting, just redirect it.  Keep a rag, tug or chew toy and when he bites, put it in his mouth, don't shove it, offer it.  Do not hit the dog in the face under any circumstances.  At his age, he is an infant and any amount of "discipline" is too harsh, you need to show him what you do want and reward him.  Keep it positive, not punitive.  You may want to speak to a trainer or seek an active puppy class in your area or google schutzhund clubs in hawaii.  If this is your first dog, you've got a lot of learning to do and don't want to cower a puppy with harsh discipline.  He will respond better and faster to guidance.

Stop watching the dog whisperer

DON'T pick him up by his neck skin, he's way too big. Just pick him up by surrounding his butt and his chest with your arms.

Good luck keeping him from biting you; try lots of toys. It's called "re-directing" the bite instinct...you begin to show him which things he can chew and which he can't. You can do lots of tug play until his teeth start coming out at 4 months. Don't do anything hard enough to hurt his forming neck; and do make sure that he wins each game.

Get enrolled in an AKC puppy class. Those are great for socializing and teaching basic stuff, like recalls. Just make sure he has all his boosters before you take him to a public place. You can start puppy training at 8 weeks. The sooner the better. It might be a good idea to visit a local schutzhund club and get a feel for the training before you take your puppy along. The trainers there will have some words of advice for you, most of which will involve FOCUS training.  Nobody can teach you to train online; you need hands on and lots of examples right in front of your eyes.

Have fun!

I like the Dog Whisperer in that he emphasizes remaining calm, but he even admits that he is NOT a trainer.  Just remember that puppies are babies, they don't understand all the words you are saying, and that they need repetition.

I agree with everyone else, find a local club to help you get started.  Good luck, and enjoy your pup!

Opal

Congratulations on your pup, and good luck with your training goals and endeavors.

Please, for the sake of the breed, don't consider breeding him, no matter how wonderful he is, until he has achieved some kind of titles, such as Schutzhund, and has passed all the health screenings, including OFA for hips and elbows, at two years of age.  We need good contributors to the breed, and a well bred, well trained dog contributes far more to the breed than some others...

I started my foray into the breed with a backyard bred, very shy GSD pup a long time ago, and then more recently with my adopted girl Annie Oakley, who is a blind rescue dog, but I am still learning and loving the breed just as much as ever!

Can we see some pics?

Crys and Oakley

 Please go  Immediately to a Barnes and Noble and get books or go online and order books from the Monks of New Skete  they are recommended  highly by many breeders and other experts.

You can also find several books about raising puppy and general behavior issues from Cesar Milan himself .

You should get  books from both sources  as they will show u a range of ideas and explanations that will educate you to take on your new responsibility  for this latest member of your family.

You might also check out some general  dog obedience books so u can begin to see many ideas are related but there are several approaches to get results that will work for your specific needs.

Please don't take it lightly its very important in these next several weeks as  the foundation you lay down will teach your dog  and  develop habits of behavior that will become predominate parts of his interaction with you and your family. Even if you intend to get professional training   a few good books and guides will give u some good approaches and ideas so you know that it is your responsibility to  teach and train the dog  to act appropriately  to situations . 

If you do this earnestly you will have a fantastic and joyous experience and your dog will astound you  with his intelligence and keen behavior  many times over you will become a  lover of the GSD breed and never want for another type of dog.

You must take an active approach as you did Now  by seeking help but you and your family are the ones who will be the dogs role models thru daily rituals and guidance and exercise and structure that will let your dog  feel happy and loved and return  this to you with a great temperament.

Get started now and keep at it.  There are things you can do differently and better so become educated and motivated and you will see great results almost immediately.

Leerburg,com is a great site for information and videos  Good luck with your new puppy

Does anyone know where I can find a tall tree with a larger strong branch ?

Who ya hangin' Moons?