Dominant? or Submissive? - Page 3

Adi, GREAT examples of raising a confident puppy.......

To the aboe poster - that's what paragraphs are for. I wrotea damn novel up there, it's only fair to make it easy to read.

Also, I forgot to add to the original poster. All this petting, socialization and greetings with everyone STOPS entirely at 5 months around the time he will begin his teething. It all stops.

Also, no tug of war at ALL, while he is teething.

Around that time you begin to be much more selective in allowing what people to pet him and use common sense.

After his teething is done around 6 months or so, switch from a rag to a very soft pillow sleeve or a soft tube. Assortments of rubber balls on a string are a must, play the heck out of it with him in your backyard.

Also, you will thank me later. Gently teach him how to walk relaxed on the leash and try to avoidpulling.You ill thank me later. If he becomes a puller, you are screwed as he will pull like his life depends on it and he missed the first leg of Iditarod race.

Now,that is not a problem, when he is 9 or 10 months old and strong as an ox, it will be.

So, all this bullshit typing from me could have been summed up in a few words: imprinting good habits, positive experiences and common sense are allyou need to be concerned about for the next 5 or 6 months.

Once you laid your groundwork right, get him to a Schutzhund club when he is 7or 8 months old, and report back.

Thanks you guys.   We did go to the club tonight actually for the first time.  He was very social with everyone. I even got to meet his half sister who is almost a clone to him.....just a different litter obviously and a few months older.  He worked for the rag tonight and had a nice full grip on it, he even barked for it the 2nd go around.  All in all we had a good time, and he did well.  I did notice his sister acts a lot like him in most everything she does....All in all thanks for the info, and you're right, I'll just not worry about it all and let him be a puppy.....I think I just want too much too fast sometimes....at least I think like that.

Ok, good.Reember, it's not a race, the pup is not going anywhere forthe next 10-14 years, okay. You did not buy an Indy 500 machine, it's a living being that has to go through the steps of growing up. Youe parents sure didn't expect you to finish college at the age of 8.

So, it's not a race and many a great dog has been and will be ruined beyond repair by doing too much too fast. Patience is a virtue and he needs it rightnowmore than at any other point in his life. When he is 3 years old and can stand in the kitchen and withstand the heat then you can do whatever the hell you want to do.

it is very encouraging what you said:
did he bark when the helper teased him with the rag?

If so, that is excellent. Call it a day and he did great, if so.

So, patience young Jedi, the rewards of hard work will come... a few years from now.

I am going to say something on GSDguy08's behalf.  We're not friends personally, but I do know him through another forum, and we've chatted about dogs. 

I believe his heart is in the right place.  He does need much growing up, you're right he is youngish.   sometimes I feel he comes across as arrogant, but I also think that's youth, ego, and pride.  Hopefully maturity will mellow that. 

Sometimes I think he wants everything to happen 'right now', yet he does realize all takes time.  But he is impatient.

As for his behavior training of dogs, (IMO and he may disagree),I think it's folks who are just needing anyone to help them.  He's trying his best, and maybe succeeding, but I imagine it's luck more than skill.  But he is doing his best to learn, he just comes across wrong sometimes.

I feel he benifits from what he learns (even from the scolding) on the database.  Hopefully he'll become a little more humble, and take to heart what is said to him.

I do feel there is no harm in him, and he does love his dogs, and he is wanting to learn very much.

Just my two cents.

Hodie, if you would of read my other posts, concerning socialization, you would have found out, because she is a LC she garnered MUCH more attention from people than my previous SC, thus she has had more petting from every tom, dick and harry, than any dog I've ever had. WHICH is NOT my idea of socialzation, btw,- dogs are pack animals.

The only way I've changed with her is I never disciplined her for jumping up, in fact, I only used positive reinforcement for everything.

She has gone with me everywhere, to work, to town, and is constantly being petted by strangers, and is fine, when I am with her.  Here at home, if she is outside alone, when someone comes,  she runs. 

She has alot lot of drive, and would make a great sport dog.

Sorry, but I've had enough German Shepherds to know when it is a socialization problem.

You have alot to say, pretty much about every topic, but you sure don't know my situation or anyone elses, well enough,  to make any kind of judgement  based on a few posts of an individual.

Red Sable,

If you read carefully what I said, you would understand that a problem such as your dog exhibits is probably partly genetic. But early socialization and continued work can and does help, in most cases. I am not calling you to task. You are the one being defensive. If you do not value what I write, that is fine with me. Don't read it, or don't heed it. No problem. It is also a lack of confidence around other people without you. Call it what you like. And if you got your dog from the person I think you must have, he is, I am certain, more than happy to help you work this out.

However, when someone KNOWS there is a problem, then one has to deal with it. If you are doing what you say you are doing that is a good start. But there are other things you could be doing as well. But since you don't seem to find any use for what I say, I won't bother to type it out. You have a problem and it needs attention. Even you seem to know that.

Red Sable, is this your dog http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/581809.html  ? Very cute!

Adi had some excellent suggestions - and I too though his post was easily read.

Yes firefly, she is, and she is from a great breeder, who truly cares about the breed and does a great job.   She is a beautiful dog, great structure and is still a baby so the verdict is certainly still out.  I have no great expectations for her, I just love the LH, and I got a great looking one to have fun with.

I just thought it odd when someone mentioned LH's are more prone to being timid.  I know some say hair length doesn't mean anything more than hair length and they may be right.  Although, maybe certain genetic genes tag along with hair length?  Who really knows?

Hodie, I wasn't looking for help with her, she is just fine for me, what I was saying was in response to people accusing Triod of causing her LH's nervousness, something I just don't beleive.  Dogs are mostly what their genes are IMHO.  Growing up, we had many dogs, (many kids all had a dog=many dogs) so I saw alot of personalities.    They were either friendly to everyone or timid.  Most were friendly, with NO so called socialization.  They stayed on the farm.  Socialization is overrated IMHO, yes it can help, but it can't cure.