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by GSD Justice on 13 September 2009 - 02:09
There is no smarter dog than a GSD. I have two top notch Schh dogs in my family. I have 3 kids and a cat. My 18 month old male growled at my 17 year old son this morning before I got up. I ask my wife what she did. She said nothing we did not want to get bit. Wrong answer. I told her she should have got me up. My son told him to out a chew bone and he growled. Tomorrow, we will work out with the entire family. The exercise, let go of the bone or any other prized toy. We own everything and he owns nothing. The trick here is to show respect and not make him feel bad about accepting pack order. As he performs well, letting the object go no matter who gives the out command he gets a treat and modest, modest praise.
A GSD is the best dog in the world but they need strong leadership, fair treatment, and must learn that the pack is the life. It is well known that GSD's often bite in families where there is tension, discord, and violence. The pack leadership sets the tone so expect no more from the dog than the family it WORKS for does itself.
A GSD is the best dog in the world but they need strong leadership, fair treatment, and must learn that the pack is the life. It is well known that GSD's often bite in families where there is tension, discord, and violence. The pack leadership sets the tone so expect no more from the dog than the family it WORKS for does itself.
by VomMarischal on 13 September 2009 - 03:09
Wait....some people don't sleep in a dogpile?
by ForFoxyRoxy on 14 September 2009 - 20:09
To GSD Justice,
Great job taking a leadership role with both your dog and your family. You are to be comended for sharing this information with others.
by Rania on 15 September 2009 - 22:09
GSD Justice,
Today I started applying your advice. Whenever Sky attempts to climb up my bed, I would give him the "down" command and when he does it I praise him and give him treats. He feels happy afterwards and not resentful or thinking so.
He already lets out his frustration by biting toys and stuff around him when he doesn't get what he wants.
For example, Dad wouldn't let sky into his room, and whenever Sky enters the room, daddy would say "out". Sky would do everything to get into the room: he would growl, suck up to daddy (in a very funny way) or sneak his way in..etc
One time Sky entered the room when daddy said "out" and a frenzy of growling and barking started. He wouldn't budge AT ALL.
He only hurried to my room grabbed a toy and went back to daddy's room. He barks and growls at dad and then bites the toy with anger for not getting what he wants. Until he finally - after 15 minutes of continuous barking and growling - he left the room.
Also today the same thing happened. I was holding a dish full of sweets and Sky approached me wanting some. I said "no". He growled, barked and bit me few times and jumped on me to get it. After a while he let go of the thing.
These moments are very, very challenging for me because it is my first time to own a GSD and those I interacted with where adults already trained and housebroken.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and thanks to every member sharing their views in this thread!
Today I started applying your advice. Whenever Sky attempts to climb up my bed, I would give him the "down" command and when he does it I praise him and give him treats. He feels happy afterwards and not resentful or thinking so.
He already lets out his frustration by biting toys and stuff around him when he doesn't get what he wants.
For example, Dad wouldn't let sky into his room, and whenever Sky enters the room, daddy would say "out". Sky would do everything to get into the room: he would growl, suck up to daddy (in a very funny way) or sneak his way in..etc
One time Sky entered the room when daddy said "out" and a frenzy of growling and barking started. He wouldn't budge AT ALL.
He only hurried to my room grabbed a toy and went back to daddy's room. He barks and growls at dad and then bites the toy with anger for not getting what he wants. Until he finally - after 15 minutes of continuous barking and growling - he left the room.
Also today the same thing happened. I was holding a dish full of sweets and Sky approached me wanting some. I said "no". He growled, barked and bit me few times and jumped on me to get it. After a while he let go of the thing.
These moments are very, very challenging for me because it is my first time to own a GSD and those I interacted with where adults already trained and housebroken.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and thanks to every member sharing their views in this thread!
by KileysHuman on 16 September 2009 - 07:09
My female was a real snot as a little pup (9 wks+) when we got her. She would snap and snarl if she didn't get her way and being my 1st GSD, I thought she had some issues. My trainer, having worked with GSDs all his life, assured me that this was normal. This stage passed and we had a fantastic dog. Then she hit that teenage period and she would start defying commands. Being the softie that she is though, she was easy to challenge. We took a step towards her and she would sit, down or whatever we had asked - proving that she knew damn well what we wanted and was just testing us. I would never have let her growl at me or bite me though without some swift corrections with a prong/choker. I never had the need though as she never did it. Females are quite different from males however and I have not yet had the joy of owning one. ;)
She is now about 20-months and turned out great. She gets a 3-5 mile walk nearly every day and 2-3 hikes a month. Exercise is crucial. She still gets bratty if she goes 2 days without her walk but daddy can't control the rain. It was all one big learning experience but I encourage you to keep at it. I would also encourage someone to prove to this dog that they are the leader as it sounds like he is convinced he is the leader. That can become very dangerous and a bad outcome for all. Seek a professional trainer's help if needed.
She is now about 20-months and turned out great. She gets a 3-5 mile walk nearly every day and 2-3 hikes a month. Exercise is crucial. She still gets bratty if she goes 2 days without her walk but daddy can't control the rain. It was all one big learning experience but I encourage you to keep at it. I would also encourage someone to prove to this dog that they are the leader as it sounds like he is convinced he is the leader. That can become very dangerous and a bad outcome for all. Seek a professional trainer's help if needed.
by ForFoxyRoxy on 17 September 2009 - 03:09
I think it is time for you to find a good Puppy Pre-School class.
by steve1 on 17 September 2009 - 14:09
Yes, you need help with the Pup you are reading it wrongly, It will be full of life it should be but take control now, whist it is young and you are able too for if you do not you will pay the price in six months time or i should say the Pup will
. One thing you said in your post which no one picked up on but very important you said you got ANGRY, you never get angry with any dog never with a puppy you curb it take a deep breath and laugh the tightness will go away, always use firm solid commands when you expect some thing from the pup when he does it right then a softer voice full of praise, then it knows right from wrong use the same tone for commands and praise and the Pup learns nothing but gets frustrated
Steve
. One thing you said in your post which no one picked up on but very important you said you got ANGRY, you never get angry with any dog never with a puppy you curb it take a deep breath and laugh the tightness will go away, always use firm solid commands when you expect some thing from the pup when he does it right then a softer voice full of praise, then it knows right from wrong use the same tone for commands and praise and the Pup learns nothing but gets frustrated
Steve
by ForFoxyRoxy on 17 September 2009 - 18:09
If you seek out help thru a puppy class. Try to locate a professional trainer. Petsmart is ok for some. But, I would like to see you find someone who can really help you mold this puppy in the the confident, outgoing, obedient dog you want. Not just go thru the paces of "sit please" "ok".
With regards to letting your emotions get the best of you (nice comment Steve). This shows me that you you are reacting when the dog is doing something wrong. Now is the time to build a bond and trust with your dog. One can do that by demonstrating that they are fair, clear and consistent about what the want. Learning to work with him and show him what you want him to do is as important as showing what you don't want him to do. Also, learning how and when to confine the puppy is important at this age.
With regards to letting your emotions get the best of you (nice comment Steve). This shows me that you you are reacting when the dog is doing something wrong. Now is the time to build a bond and trust with your dog. One can do that by demonstrating that they are fair, clear and consistent about what the want. Learning to work with him and show him what you want him to do is as important as showing what you don't want him to do. Also, learning how and when to confine the puppy is important at this age.
by windwalker18 on 18 September 2009 - 00:09
I think that working line shepherds are also more "mouthy" than general pet, or show line. Ike is just coming 4 months and can get himself worked up into a total lather at times... We had to leave him crated for 5 hours today while visiting my mom, so exercised him well before we left, and left a marrow bone for him to amuse himself with. When we came in he wanted MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY yapping and spinning in circles grabbing my sleeve in his mouth, kissing yapping some more... run to the door then back to me with more MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY yapping and spinning in circles grabbing my sleeve in his mouth, kissing yapping some more... LOL normally he's polite but he was so excited and frantic that he couldn't control himself. 10 minutes of greetings and he revered back to his normal brat mode harassing his big sister and brother.
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