Sch3 - Page 1

I have just purchased a Sch3 GSD in the States for $28,000.00.  When I saw him on video he showed great bite work, when I visited the kennel he was fabulous at obedience.  I have had him a week and have some concerns:  He does not respond instantly to the simplest of commands, the sit and down position and recall is not so hot either. I have two female GSD and he shows a little muscle toward the youngest but I have it under control. However, I have a cat (who thinks she is a dog and has no fear of dogs) and this guy is not just showing a little interest, he is full on - once the chase was on there was no command on this green earth going to stop him - normal I know.  He is "people" food crazy (so obviously has been taught to eat our food) and will take it right out of your hand if you are not watching him and your plate if you are at his level.He is a very loveable guy but my other concern is he is very loveable to anyone that comes into contact with him.  I emailed the seller and his suggestion to all was an e-collar and sending me a video on how to break bad manners in a GSD. My response to this is, do you honestly pay $28,000 US for a Sch3 GSD to then purchase an e-collar. Surely a dog of this caliber and level of training should be acutely aware of what is being asked of him not matter what he is doing and should respond to you the first time. As a newbie to the household should he not be looking for direciton from me as his pack leader rather than going to anyone that moves?

I would appreciate input on the above concerns and how best to deal with them.  My Father was a dog handler with the Royal Airforce and I have had GSD's around me all my life and I also have to say he never used such things as e-collars to train his dogs. I know that some people think they are a good thing and I respect that, but I have to say it is not for me.
I thank you in advance for any advice you may have.

Reid,
A week is a very short time to bond with a dog.  His personality will change more in the next 4 or 5 weeks and you will see his true personality.  You need to start working with him yourself.  Just because he has been trained to a SchH 3 by someone else doesn't mean he will automatically respect or listen to you.   why should a dog of that caliber listen to you?  He needs to learn that you are the boss and gain respect for your leadership, then he will listen to you.

Perhaps you should have spent $8,000 on the dog and $20,000 on lessons on training the dog. 

Jim

Thank you Jim for your input, I appreciate it.  
Your first paragraph was helpful, however, your last paragraph was neither helpful or called for - it made you sound quite pompous and rude actually.  These messageboards are for ALL people of ALL levels of expertise - for the more informed to respond to the less informed and sarcasm is neither asked for or required -

Hi Reid, I agree with Jim, one week to have a dog get used to a new home is very stressful, he is seeing how far you will let him go. Just set down the ground rules and he will follow them. Why are you wanting to use E when he does not know the rules yet. Shape the behavior first , please do not think I am being rude because I am a nice person but I am sure he knows to down and stay at family dinner time. Also he is going to be happy with everyone until he knows who his pack is, he is suppose to be friendly to invited strangers, I have complete confidence he will be different with the bad guy he is a shepherd. He is a Schutzhund dog with a clear mind. I would have the person who you bought the dog from come to the house and help you understand you new family member.
Always,
Cee

Hi

Put yourself in the dogs frame of mind.    Emigrate to another country, possibly another language, definately different home space and food, and see how you would adjust and work for your new boss within a week, efficiently and without issues that needed ironing out,

i think Jim was being respectful, rather than pompous - put another way, if you had trained the dog yourself, he would be working excellently for you.   One thing concerns me regarding your fist post is that you are concerned that he is very friendly to anyone.

Why would that concern you?  Sch,h, work is a sport, a control method, and why on earth would you want him to not be friendly to everyone?  A good confident dog, that likes people can suss out the people that he doesnt need to like, and has the ability to perform to Sch.h.3...................... no bad guy will get past him if threatened un necessarily.

Stop worrying, enjoy him, and come back on here in 4 weeks and hopefully tell us what a great dog you have, but dont e-collar him.   Go back to thinking how you would feel, new job, new country, new home and harsh treatment from folk around you, while you are still adjusting,

Mo.

Just giving commands will not cause the dog to see you as the handler, You must assume the role of the handler, it takes a lot of work to train one to that level and you do not share that history with the dog.Unless the dog has been ''collar coditioned''  I would be very leary of getting an ecollar, if it had I would get one ASAP!  as far as the cat goes I would keep it as far away from him as possible,they will kill a kitty quick

Thank you everyone for your input, I will now and work with my boy.  As for the e-collar - I never had any intentions of using it, this was the seller's recommendation.

I will come back to you in a month or so and let you know how we are getting along.

Your help is much appreciated.

"A week is a very short time to bond with a dog."

Yep.  You're fortunate that he hasn't bitten you...yet.

Reid,
You should read Jim's second paragraph again. Sarcastic, or not, it is excellent advice!

28 grand, huh?

Do you have a pedigree of this dog by any chance?