yes but very few situations can be determined correctly in less than 2 days by an inexperienced dog owner. The OP is a perfect example of why the shelters are full these days.
1sikbITCH
Diamond Member
- Jan 3, 2001
- 4,194
- 574
- 126
Some people do not have the constitution to properly raise aggressive breeds. At 8 months the dog has a decent chance of finding an owner. After having dominated Josh23 for 2 years and biting several people the dog's chances of survival will all but disappear.
Better he finds someone suited to raising dogs now rather than having him put to sleep later.
ViviTheMage
Lifer
haha, I wrestle with my dog....show her whose boss everytime.
But she is cheap, she gets behin dme and jumps and bits at my hair!!
If I were you, id keep Bo and let him adjust more like everyone else has been saying.
But she is cheap, she gets behin dme and jumps and bits at my hair!!
If I were you, id keep Bo and let him adjust more like everyone else has been saying.
We initially had Petsmart training for our lab. It is okay for socialization but for dogs (GSDs) that require a more stern handler you may want to consider more 'professional' training. Work dogs need to get a lot of exercise and 'work' to keep them mentally and physically happy.
edit: I love GSDs and wanted one initially instead of a lab. While GSDs are great family pets they usually don't welcome strangers into their yard/house very easily. With a large family, kids, and a neighborhood where friends drop by without notice; we wanted to avoid potential issues.
edit: I love GSDs and wanted one initially instead of a lab. While GSDs are great family pets they usually don't welcome strangers into their yard/house very easily. With a large family, kids, and a neighborhood where friends drop by without notice; we wanted to avoid potential issues.
- Aug 4, 2002
- 3,030
- 2
- 76
Well I mainly want to get him in there for the socialization. I know a lady here that did dog competitions and she said she would help me with training. I'll eventually start taking him out to our park since no one really takes their dogs there much and he can play.
My previous roommate bought a German Shepard last December, so shes probably about 8 months old now. Similar to Bo.
Shes a great dog. However, they are smart dogs, and they need to be put into their place regularly. For example. When "Uncle Brandon" comes over to see his Niece (the dog), I tend to spoil her. I play with her, and let her lick me, and she has a tendency to get a bit wild jumping around the living room, jumping into my lap, etc.
She does NOT do that with my roommate, ever. He establishes himself as pack leader. When he says jump, she jumps. She doesn't get to lick him, or jump on his lap etc, and she doesn't try.
The dog does have a memory of who is who, and what is ok and what is not ok. Just because she may respect you, doesn't mean she will respect your mother. You have to teach him that. You may have to hold him and talk to your mom to let the dog know she is no threat to the household. German Shepards are very protective.
Like when I go over to my friends house, I still have my key, so I let myself in. She will hear the door, and start barking and barrelling towards the door maw open like she is about to eat me, but she will recgonize me and immediately her ears will go down and she will be all lovey dovey and rub up against me and sometimes even try to pee on my foot, but 5 seconds before she was about to rip my head off.
I don't test her then, but after I'm there, I may start goofing around with her. She will bark and seem intimidating at times, but if you just stare at her and poke your head out at her like you are about to throttle her, she will cower and go back to my roommate and whine and seek his comfort by going behind him. A male dog may not be such a "wuss" like my Niece is. But you need to make sure they know their boundaries.
Just takes a bit of patience, and sounds like you are giving Bo some of that with your update. Just keep at it, and trust me, you will fall in love with the dog. My niece loves me, she licks my face when I'm sleeping every 10 minutes when I stay the night to remind me she is still there and she loves me.
Shes a great dog. However, they are smart dogs, and they need to be put into their place regularly. For example. When "Uncle Brandon" comes over to see his Niece (the dog), I tend to spoil her. I play with her, and let her lick me, and she has a tendency to get a bit wild jumping around the living room, jumping into my lap, etc.
She does NOT do that with my roommate, ever. He establishes himself as pack leader. When he says jump, she jumps. She doesn't get to lick him, or jump on his lap etc, and she doesn't try.
The dog does have a memory of who is who, and what is ok and what is not ok. Just because she may respect you, doesn't mean she will respect your mother. You have to teach him that. You may have to hold him and talk to your mom to let the dog know she is no threat to the household. German Shepards are very protective.
Like when I go over to my friends house, I still have my key, so I let myself in. She will hear the door, and start barking and barrelling towards the door maw open like she is about to eat me, but she will recgonize me and immediately her ears will go down and she will be all lovey dovey and rub up against me and sometimes even try to pee on my foot, but 5 seconds before she was about to rip my head off.
I don't test her then, but after I'm there, I may start goofing around with her. She will bark and seem intimidating at times, but if you just stare at her and poke your head out at her like you are about to throttle her, she will cower and go back to my roommate and whine and seek his comfort by going behind him. A male dog may not be such a "wuss" like my Niece is. But you need to make sure they know their boundaries.
Just takes a bit of patience, and sounds like you are giving Bo some of that with your update. Just keep at it, and trust me, you will fall in love with the dog. My niece loves me, she licks my face when I'm sleeping every 10 minutes when I stay the night to remind me she is still there and she loves me.
Gooberlx2
Lifer
- May 4, 2001
- 15,381
- 6
- 91
My wife and her ex had a great German Shepard who started out very similar to yours. They did exactly the same as you (petsmart program and neutered). He turned out to be a wonderful dog. One thing to remember is that Shepards are natural alpha dogs, so be sure to establish your dominance and let him know that being aggressive towards people is not okay. Correct him (appropriately) when he's bad, and reward him when he's good.
With the class and discipline on both your ends, I think he'll turn out fine.
With the class and discipline on both your ends, I think he'll turn out fine.
rockyct
Diamond Member
- Jun 23, 2001
- 6,656
- 32
- 91
Originally posted by: brandonb
My previous roommate bought a German Shepard last December, so shes probably about 8 months old now. Similar to Bo.
Shes a great dog. However, they are smart dogs, and they need to be put into their place regularly. For example. When "Uncle Brandon" comes over to see his Niece (the dog), I tend to spoil her. I play with her, and let her lick me, and she has a tendency to get a bit wild jumping around the living room, jumping into my lap, etc.
She does NOT do that with my roommate, ever. He establishes himself as pack leader. When he says jump, she jumps. She doesn't get to lick him, or jump on his lap etc, and she doesn't try.
The dog does have a memory of who is who, and what is ok and what is not ok. Just because she may respect you, doesn't mean she will respect your mother. You have to teach him that. You may have to hold him and talk to your mom to let the dog know she is no threat to the household. German Shepards are very protective.
Like when I go over to my friends house, I still have my key, so I let myself in. She will hear the door, and start barking and barrelling towards the door maw open like she is about to eat me, but she will recgonize me and immediately her ears will go down and she will be all lovey dovey and rub up against me and sometimes even try to pee on my foot, but 5 seconds before she was about to rip my head off.
I don't test her then, but after I'm there, I may start goofing around with her. She will bark and seem intimidating at times, but if you just stare at her and poke your head out at her like you are about to throttle her, she will cower and go back to my roommate and whine and seek his comfort by going behind him. A male dog may not be such a "wuss" like my Niece is. But you need to make sure they know their boundaries.
Just takes a bit of patience, and sounds like you are giving Bo some of that with your update. Just keep at it, and trust me, you will fall in love with the dog. My niece loves me, she licks my face when I'm sleeping every 10 minutes when I stay the night to remind me she is still there and she loves me.
I'm sure that is some great advice to the OP, but I can't get over that last sentence...it just sounds so wrong.
I'd first like to say that I empathize with your initial reaction. I just got a golden retriever, and for the first week I thought I might have made a mistake. It's easy to forget what dogs are like, what it takes to raise them, etc.
That said, I think your efforts will be rewarded. I'm not familiar with the GSD breed, but I know people that love them. I'm having my own troubles with my golden, but after a few weeks of patient and training she's starting to come around.
Good luck!
That said, I think your efforts will be rewarded. I'm not familiar with the GSD breed, but I know people that love them. I'm having my own troubles with my golden, but after a few weeks of patient and training she's starting to come around.
Good luck!
- Aug 4, 2002
- 3,030
- 2
- 76
Originally posted by: rockyct
Originally posted by: brandonb
My previous roommate bought a German Shepard last December, so shes probably about 8 months old now. Similar to Bo.
Shes a great dog. However, they are smart dogs, and they need to be put into their place regularly. For example. When "Uncle Brandon" comes over to see his Niece (the dog), I tend to spoil her. I play with her, and let her lick me, and she has a tendency to get a bit wild jumping around the living room, jumping into my lap, etc.
She does NOT do that with my roommate, ever. He establishes himself as pack leader. When he says jump, she jumps. She doesn't get to lick him, or jump on his lap etc, and she doesn't try.
The dog does have a memory of who is who, and what is ok and what is not ok. Just because she may respect you, doesn't mean she will respect your mother. You have to teach him that. You may have to hold him and talk to your mom to let the dog know she is no threat to the household. German Shepards are very protective.
Like when I go over to my friends house, I still have my key, so I let myself in. She will hear the door, and start barking and barrelling towards the door maw open like she is about to eat me, but she will recgonize me and immediately her ears will go down and she will be all lovey dovey and rub up against me and sometimes even try to pee on my foot, but 5 seconds before she was about to rip my head off.
I don't test her then, but after I'm there, I may start goofing around with her. She will bark and seem intimidating at times, but if you just stare at her and poke your head out at her like you are about to throttle her, she will cower and go back to my roommate and whine and seek his comfort by going behind him. A male dog may not be such a "wuss" like my Niece is. But you need to make sure they know their boundaries.
Just takes a bit of patience, and sounds like you are giving Bo some of that with your update. Just keep at it, and trust me, you will fall in love with the dog. My niece loves me, she licks my face when I'm sleeping every 10 minutes when I stay the night to remind me she is still there and she loves me.
I'm sure that is some great advice to the OP, but I can't get over that last sentence...it just sounds so wrong.
You didn't use any peanut butter did you
?My sister and mom came over to see him and he growled at them still. My mom ended up sitting in the car and watched and Bo eventually warmed up to my sister. After a while she had no problem petting him but I could tell he was still cautious. My mom was almost attacked by a GSD when she was younger and that's the reason she is scared to meet Bo right now.
I'm not sure if it's more of a fear type aggression or what though. Hopefully the trainer can answer some questions.
Originally posted by: Josh123
You didn't use any peanut butter did you
My sister and mom came over to see him and he growled at them still. My mom ended up sitting in the car and watched and Bo eventually warmed up to my sister. After a while she had no problem petting him but I could tell he was still cautious. My mom was almost attacked by a GSD when she was younger and that's the reason she is scared to meet Bo right now.
I'm not sure if it's more of a fear type aggression or what though. Hopefully the trainer can answer some questions.
You should probably try and get your mom near the dog, and if he growls or whatever, make sure you yell at him firmly to let him know that's not ok. Your mom will need to work up the courage to reach out and pet him, and the dog will need your discipline if he starts to back away or whatever. He's probably just scared of the new situation and new people. Make sure that your mom goes in with an open hand, like an underhand motion, as opposed to an overhand. Coming in overhand, even though to you it's because you're going to rub the dog's head, can scare them a little.
Dogs don't come well trained or well behaved "out of the box" they take some work, and they'll usually listen to you. Shepherds especially can be protective, but they're only aggressive if you let them be that way or reinforce that behavior. You can discourage it, and the dog will learn. His whole existence is basically to have you accept and praise him, so he'll learn whatever behavior gets that response from you.
- Aug 4, 2002
- 3,030
- 2
- 76
Originally posted by: sjwaste
Originally posted by: Josh123
You didn't use any peanut butter did you
My sister and mom came over to see him and he growled at them still. My mom ended up sitting in the car and watched and Bo eventually warmed up to my sister. After a while she had no problem petting him but I could tell he was still cautious. My mom was almost attacked by a GSD when she was younger and that's the reason she is scared to meet Bo right now.
I'm not sure if it's more of a fear type aggression or what though. Hopefully the trainer can answer some questions.
You should probably try and get your mom near the dog, and if he growls or whatever, make sure you yell at him firmly to let him know that's not ok. Your mom will need to work up the courage to reach out and pet him, and the dog will need your discipline if he starts to back away or whatever. He's probably just scared of the new situation and new people. Make sure that your mom goes in with an open hand, like an underhand motion, as opposed to an overhand. Coming in overhand, even though to you it's because you're going to rub the dog's head, can scare them a little.
Dogs don't come well trained or well behaved "out of the box" they take some work, and they'll usually listen to you. Shepherds especially can be protective, but they're only aggressive if you let them be that way or reinforce that behavior. You can discourage it, and the dog will learn. His whole existence is basically to have you accept and praise him, so he'll learn whatever behavior gets that response from you.
Ya, I kept telling my sister to put her hand out and let him smell it but my mom, being as paranoid as she is didn't want her too. Once I talked my sister into putting her hand out Bo let her pet him.
I just cant help but laugh at some people in this thread.
Most of the first page is a bunch of people telling you that you suck and should give the dog back asap.
Then when you say you are thinking of giving him back, its a bunch more people calling you a loser for giving up after 2 days.
I'm glad to hear you are giving it a shot. It is all about discipline. Your mom being all nervous when meeting your new dog probably doesnt help either. She needs to calm down and not be so afraid. Keep him on a leash and have him meet your mother outside of the house first. Let him smell her (assuming she's calm), and then go inside. Letting your mother go first. Keep him disciplined on his leash the same way as if you were taking a walk.
He should be fine. GSD's are awesome.
Most of the first page is a bunch of people telling you that you suck and should give the dog back asap.
Then when you say you are thinking of giving him back, its a bunch more people calling you a loser for giving up after 2 days.
I'm glad to hear you are giving it a shot. It is all about discipline. Your mom being all nervous when meeting your new dog probably doesnt help either. She needs to calm down and not be so afraid. Keep him on a leash and have him meet your mother outside of the house first. Let him smell her (assuming she's calm), and then go inside. Letting your mother go first. Keep him disciplined on his leash the same way as if you were taking a walk.
He should be fine. GSD's are awesome.
Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
- 651
- 126
Have Bo and your mom meet outside(not in your yard). Have your mom offer him some liver treats and not show any fear. They'll be fine.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
Glad to see that you are adjusting. German Shephards are very intelligent, loyal, and protective. My family has owned and bred them before back in the dark ages (read: the 80's), but more recently we rescued one from some neighbors who left town and skipped out on the rent for their house. He was left tied up and would've starved if somebody hadn't have found him. It took a good week or so for him to realize that he was with us and what his new "territory" was. (he kept escaping and going back to the old house for a while) To this day he is extremely friendly with humans, but has developed issues with other dogs in the area.
You just have to remember that these things take time. With a dog who is still adjusting to a new setting, you may want to have him meet her on neutral territory, or something the dog will recognize as neutral. Things will work out.
Oh, btw, that is a beautiful dog. Great markings for a GS.
You just have to remember that these things take time. With a dog who is still adjusting to a new setting, you may want to have him meet her on neutral territory, or something the dog will recognize as neutral. Things will work out.
Oh, btw, that is a beautiful dog. Great markings for a GS.
1sikbITCH
Diamond Member
- Jan 3, 2001
- 4,194
- 574
- 126
Your dog indeed feeds off your energy. If he knows you are scared and nervous, he will protect you from whoever it is in front of you. You need to learn how to be strong and in command. Someone will be pack leader. All that remains is figuring out who.
Also if you are using a choke collar, throw it out and get a prong collar. A choke collar is useless. It can damage a dog's windpipe if the dog goes after someone and you try to correct him, and are generally ineffective as a correction tool because the dog doesn't feel pain when you use it. They just can't breathe. When I got my first GSD, I was practically strangling him with a choke collar every day for 3 months and that never stopped him.
That's when I got a trainer.
A stern command followed by an immediate correction from a prong collar will stop your dog in his tracks and he will have no doubt who the boss is. And the beauty of the prong collar is you only have to do it one or two times and the dog is trained. I haven't had to apply a correction in nearly 5 years (the dog is 6).
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