How do I? - Page 1

So I have a GSD mix that I've had since about March. She was given to me and we kept her in the house for about a month before she chewed through about $200 worth of wires and decided she liked being outside w/our chihuahua mix in the fence anyway. Which was great because I went back to work. Unfortunately, my neighbor's dog let the small one out and he was run over last week. Now my GSD mix is heart broken and has been doing a great deal more barking than ever before. I would bring her back in but she's terrified of crates (not sure why) and we're gone for several hours during the day. Plus, she has fleas now that she's been outside. Botoom line is, I just don't think she would be happy inside. I just wasn't planning on going back to work so soon after we got her.

So, I'm not ready to get another dog right now. But I would like to have a few chickens and maybe a goat or 2 in the back fence. What I would like to know is this: What is the best way to teach her that she is to watch over and not torture or eat the other animals? She's great with other dogs and ignores cats. But I had a squirrell inside when she was 1st here that I eventually let go and her favorite thing to do is chase him. So I'm not sure how she would react to any other kind of animal. I've heard of certain breeds that show affection to the animals they watch over and our neighbors a few houses down have boxers looking over their horses. I also think it would be good for her to have a job. She's only about 7 months old so its not too late for anything. I'm just not sure where to start. Whatever I do, I have to also find a way to keep her in the fence along with the other animals b/c she can just jump over the fence now. She's on a 30+ ft. runner and harness now but I've been thinking about putting in an invisible fence or even an electric fence to make sure she doesn't run to the main highway we live on. Her fence is a good 1/2 acre or more and its separate from the main fence around the house. Any ideas?

I ordered some flea pills I've heard work great for fleas (Comfortis). We're going to try that as soon as I get them. And any time we go anywhere when we're off work she goes too, usually to the lake or river about every weekend. She just never seemed happy in the house. She was always waiting at the door to go out and run around. I've had inside and outside dogs and she has been happiest outside until this week since her friend is gone. I've even brought her in when my boyfriend goes out of town to work and she paces when she's inside. We also play with her outside and the only reason she's on the runner is because she goes to the neighbors on one side of the fence that runs down a side road when she jumps the fence and I've already had to go get her from the pound. She's a VERY smart dog and picked up on her training immediately except for the crate. I think it would be more cruel to make her stay inside alone all day than to let her have room to move around outside during the day. Sometimes the neighbor's dogs (not the ones that call the pound) come over to play with her then go back to their side of the fence and they love it. But I do plan to get a few chickens and maybe a goat. If she's not happy then, we will rehome her. I have the best of intentions for her but if she's not happy I will make sure I do everything I can to change that. 

Well Judy I was asking the same question until I read the second post. Fleas, on a chain, and hopefully chickens and a goat will make her happy??? hmmm Just rehome the dog, she is infested with fleas, which probably means she's infested with worms.  She should have been treated for fleas before she got fleas. Chickens will not make her happy unless they get close enough to her chain that she can eat them.  Save yourself the headache, the dog the heartache and just rehome her now.

Johnson.......................

Break things down. Too much on your plate. Are you thinking for you or for the dog. Not being mean but if the dog is so smart you have it easy to train him to do the right things. Setting him up for failure or to move on to someone else? You're in charge. You said what he does or tries with the squirrel..... Why wouldn't another animal that moves FAST be bringing the same results. In order to WANT you have to TRAIN.