Please help me with my dogs bonding

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by chicki on 16 January 2009 - 18:01

Hoping you guys can help me out here. I'll try to keep it as short as possible. The scoop is that many years ago I had GSD's and competed in Schutzhund etc. I quit with all of that back in the early 90's and switched over to horses (had two horse crazy daughters) Since then we've been on a 20a.c hobby farm and have a 4 yr old male blue heeler that has the run of the place. He is very bonded to me and basically sticks to me like glue. In October this last year I got a 4 mth old GSD puppy. (I've really missed having one) He's now 6 months old and is really coming along nicely...the problem I have is this. I keep the GS pup in the kennel when I'm not outside with him. I am outside doing chores three times a day and take him out with me while this is going on as well as playing ball with him, etc. I also take him to the dog club once in a while for training and socializing. When ever I'm outside with him the heeler is also with us. The problem I am having is that lately it seems like he is happier to see the heeler then me and I'm finding this a little frustrating. Unless I have a ball or food for him.. he is likely to run and play with the heeler. I can call him to me at anytime and he does respond but then goes right back to playing or bugging him. It would be hard to lock the heeler up during that time without feeling pretty darn guilty. Also as soon as the heeler was back out I'm sure this would start up again. Is this just a puppy thing? will he grow out of it or will it get worse the more he does it. Would he calm down on the heeler if he was with him all the time? or would it get worse? (I've never experienced this problem in the past because I never ran my dogs together before...they were taken out only with me to the training field etc.) I'm just finding it a little annoying. I think if I were to get after him each and everytime that I would probably wreck out relationship? A friend of mine suggested a e collar on very low and using that to put a damper on it. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Lynn
www.spruceviewfarms.com

by snajper69 on 16 January 2009 - 18:01

You got what you asked for, you let the puppy to bond with your other dog instead of you. Since you are not a rookie and been down this route before you should know that dogs bond with dogs faster than with humans. Some thing that you should start doing is:

No more unlimited play time with the other dog.
All food that he consumes comes directly from your hand, yes that's right hand feed him.
have the puppy with you everywhere you go, without the other dog, if you bring both, the puppy will go back to the other dog. Keep on it for few weeks and your puppy will bond with you. Oh yeah I think females bond better with males :) lol at least that’s been my experience up to date with females.
Play time should be one on one as well. Once the dog understands that his world revolves around you, you should be all set. BTW you missed your window of opportunity, now you will have to take bit more extreme measures. Plus I am sure that I do not need to tell you but 4 months is a lot for a dog and best time for bonding is at 7-8 weeks.

by AgarPhranicniStraze1 on 16 January 2009 - 18:01

Best way I explain it to you is if you remember when you're children were little....if they were anything like my 12 yr old daughter you'll understand that playing with friends is so much more fun than hanging out with mom. lol At 6 months old he's a baby and finds running with the heeler more fascinating that focussing attention on you. That doesn't mean he's not bonding with you at other times of the day....just a pack thing.

My 8 month old GSD will act the same way your is...he'll come when I call him but then he's running right back towards the kennels to see the other dogs wanting to play. But when he and I are together he's focussed on what I'm doing and will follow where I go.

If you want to try to work on him hanging out with you while you're doing your chores maybe try putting the heeler in the kennel a little more and just taking your GSD with you by yourselves a few times a week rather than trying to take both together with so many distractions for him. I don't think it's a bonding concern, just more a puppy thing.

by Two Moons on 16 January 2009 - 18:01

You didn't properly bond with a four month old pup. Tell your friend to shove that e-collar up their arse !!

The pup bonded with the one who showed the most interest in him.

Its happened to me before. Was my fault.

You need to decide whats more important to you and what kind of relationship you want to have with this dog.

Your running out of time as far as I'm concerned. Six months old, I would start real training and a lot of one on one with your pup.

Put forth the effort or except the situation.

by AnjaBlue on 16 January 2009 - 19:01

I agree with snajper - everything comes from you, and split the dogs up from time to time. Last year we adopted a 6 month old rescue pup. He bonded with me very quickly because even though we had another dog (6 year old female, I think he thought of her as his Mom), I did things with him separately: took him to OB classes, walked him by himself, took him around town in the car BY HIMSELF, etc. etc. All food, toys, treats, grooming, etc. came from me, and we had play sessions where the other dog joined in. They ate together and slept together, and sometimes played together, but they also did things independently of one another. We therefore had a very good outcome, and I'm sure you will too - it's just a matter of restructuring your approach.

by susanandthek9s on 17 January 2009 - 04:01

Any "bonding" that requires depriving the dog of normal, happy interaction with other dogs isn't worth much. For an excellent discussion of this, check out:

http://flyingdogpress.com/hostage.html

It would help a lot if your dog were a house dog and not a kennel dog.

by Rezkat5 on 17 January 2009 - 13:01

yes, I agree you need to limit the time with the other dog and take the GSD out by himself only for a while. Start some more serious training and you might find that he's more focused with you. Now the more serious training can by all means be fun, food and toys galour!

by Rezkat5 on 17 January 2009 - 13:01

no to the e collar as well. it's a common thing that they will bond sometimes more with the other dog. at this point the other dog is more fun than you are!

by Slamdunc on 17 January 2009 - 14:01

I agree with the other posters, good advice Snapjer. I always limit my puppies interactions with my older dogs until they are about a year old. They have supervised visits, because dogs do need to be dogs. But there is more time spent with just me without the other dogs. I also agree with Rezkat, no e collar. Just work him individually, make your training at this point all motivational and lots of fun. Always keep him wanting more and soon he'll learn that you are more fun than the Heeler.

What club do you go to and what training are you trying to do?

Jim

by steve1 on 17 January 2009 - 14:01

E Collar on a Baby, you are joking to even suggest it. Keep them apart and get to bond with the Pup before you give yourself a harder job Pup Heidi does not Play with my older Dog, She must bond with me only they can touch each other in the Pens but not socialise outside the Pens, Not yet anyway, My brother gives her a pat and fuss but has nothing more to do with her at this stage of her 12 week life
I am the one she must look to no one else, and no other Dog not yet anyway
As regards a E Collar anytime, the best place for them is under a hammer hit hard
Steve

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