HELP, My puppy doesn't love me! - Page 3

LMH, you are correct. In my 6 years of breeding, never used a crate. But, as others pointed out, and this I know myself; Naya isn't a GOLDEN, she is a Shepherd, a high drive, workingline shepherd. My dogs are used to 24/7 house free-roam, and they can pull it off, and still listen to me, because thats just the way they are, but Naya, I think the crate will have to become a regular thing... Melissa, No kidding, I hope they find the other one too! Wonder if they'll have to do another kind of surgery to find the retained one??? Edd in Afgan, I know I'm feeding the proper amount, I've been breeding and raising puppies for six years, I hope I would know whats right, and if not, I'd come on here and ask. Sorry, not trying to sound rude, but I think I have the feeding down. I just find it funny that a German Shepherd is supposed to bond to a main person, and tolerate the rest, you figure they'd love the one that feeds them, walks them, plays with them, trains them, and pets them...Guess not?

Of course you are feeding correctly, was just trying to avoid saying Brittney was way off base and have this turn into a Britt bash post. I have found especially with the males they seem to be less affectionate with the one they consider the master and more affectionate with others people that aren't. On the other side of the coin females at least from my expierience tend to be the opposite, extremely affectionate with their masters and more aloof to others. mike

Bluesky,

I have had dogs my whole life and I felt exactly the same way with my bitch.  I had always known pups to be extremely affectionate and downright annoyingly demanding of attention.  Not Remmi.  Very aloof as a pup.  I have to say it hasn't been until the last year (she's almost two) that she had become unhappy if not within sight of me.  I think GSDs take longer to be totally attached because their attachment is so deep once it is entrenched. I have also learned to see attachment as SHE defines it not as I do. I define it as she wants to crawl all over me all the time.  She defines it as keeping her awareness on me (even if I'm not noticing it) and staying within sight.  She is much more dignified than other dogs I've had. That means I need to read her in a different context. 

As far as singing to your dogs, if it brings you enjoyment you should do it.  If you spend your money, time, and energy on an animal you should enjoy it in the way that brings you pleasure.  There's nothing wrong with singing to your dog, watching tv with your dog, etc..  Like with kids you CAN be their friend but you HAVE to be their parent/alpha.  One supercedes the other but doesn't negate it.

Just my opinion.

Dawg

PS- I think the crating is an excellent idea as it does reinforce that you, as alpha, control her world. 

About the crate, I am also making her sit down and be quite before she is allowed to come out. I started doing that this morning, and her ears are flat back against her head, her tail is tucked, and she seems to fear the cage door. I dont slam it in her face, I close it, so she sees she cant come out until I tell her to. She is acting different already, but I noticed her ears are flat against her head, whenever she sees me looking at her, or talking to her, but her tail's wagging, and she's "talking" to me. Is this what we hoped for? Am I doing something wrong?

I had one that I thought did not love me, he was bonded to other dogs over people. If I took him for a ride and we did not go to the dog park, next time he would not go with me. When he got sick and was dying from his liver, It was Momma he wanted. I never allow any of them on the couch, but He and I slept on the couch curled up the last week of his life. He only wanted Momma. I was shocked, he really did love me. Hodie, do not have a fit, I have learned my lesson on dog parks years ago. This one was just a good fit for them.

1doggie2, its a shame you had to learn your dog really loved you on his deathbed. See? thats the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid. Thanks 1doggie2, you put things into a new perspective.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/74635.html

You should raise her a little differently. This is how I raise my pups. For the most part of the day they stay in a kennel. During they day I will take them out not for long at a time. On walks it is all about introducing the pup to new situations. Take the pup out several times a day but not for long at a time, this is very important. Do not worry yet at her age about her manners. Dont start serious OB training yet, you have alot of bonding to catch up on. At night my pups stay in a crate in the house in a room by themself. After awhile of this your pup will be excited to see you everytime you come close to her. Also if you are serious about raising a true working puppy there should be very little if any interactions with other humans. This will eliminate the pup wanting to be around other people except for you. Although if she becomes to wary of people allow her to have some positive interaction in a controlled enviorment with people you know. I also do not let my pup have free roam of the home alot. I know it sounds like dog prison but you have to make your pup look at the world from a working dogs eyes not as a pet. If you want more information get the video from leerburg, HOW TO RAISE A WORKING PUPPY. Im sure it has the same information.

Bluekye I am a big advocate of crate training. I ALWAYS WITHOUT FAIL give my girl a treat when I say "Bedtime" and she goes into her crate. After doing this since she was a pup, if I forget and leave the door shut, she will scratch at it for me to let her in. She also knows that is where she is supposed to sleep. I tried an experiment one night and just left her sleeping on her rug and went to bed myself. She woke me up at 2:00 AM demanding that I put her in her crate. The point is that the crate can be a very positive thing for a dog. It is home, den, their own space where they feel safe. It can also go a long way towards saving your furniture and sanity during what I call the puppy crazies. LOL