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Dog Training help

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  • 22-10-2008 6:03pm
    #1
    LuckyCharms
    Registered Users Posts: 526 ✭✭✭


    Ive recently got a pure bred 8 month old German Shepard and im not really sure how to go about training him.What kinda fees should i expect to pay for training him?

    He is in the countryside but atm he is in an enclosed area(quite big area) due to the fact he goes abit mental with cars and people.

    Main problems atm are that he is always trying to bite (never breaches the skin or marks) but its kinda unsettling for ppl comin over).I was wondering if there is anything i can do to stop him doing it or will he come out of it naturally ?

    Im abit lost with this dog as wasnt really planning on getting one and it was kinda dropped on me.the last dog i had was a lab and he was totally different to this guy as a pup(from what i can remember).

    Any help is appreciated.


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    #2
    kerrysgold
    Closed Accounts Posts: 969 ✭✭✭kerrysgold


    He definitely needs basic obedience training (i.e. teaching him not to jump up, not to nip, sit/stay etc when he's told, walk calmly on the lead etc) and he also needs to be socialised with people and other dogs so there will be no aggression issues in the future.

    also, GSD's are a very intelligent and active breed and need at least an hours exersize a day, preferably an opportunity to run around off-lead each day as well.

    GSD's thrive on having a job to do such as agility so if you could afford it, enrolling him in agility (or whatever you like) classes, as well as basic obedience classes would be very good for him I think.

    Best of luck! Hopefully you'll get to grips with him eventually and he'll turn out to be a nice pet dog for you :)


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    #3
    Beth
    Registered Users Posts: 327 ✭✭Beth


    The nipping is puppy behaviour. When he does it, let out a yelp and ignore him/stop the game/walk away. He'll eventually learn that nipping means all the fun stops. It can get worse before it gets better, because he has learned that he can do it and get away with it, so might try up the ante trying to figure out why it wont work any more. But it will stop if you keep stopping the play.

    Try enrol him in classes also, like kerrysgold suggests. It will work his mind and tire him out, as well as train him - plus will help build a good bond with you. Training classes would usually cost no more than 100euro for an 8-10 week course if its just basic obedience. Other training can cost more, and in some cases less - like agility.

    Socialising him with other dogs will also work well and the training classes will help. Not only will he get used to being around other dogs, but people as well, and will learn how to greet both appropriately.

    You can also teach him to play fetch/retrieve - so that he will learn the things he can chase (balls, toys, ropes) and not try to be going after traffic.

    As he's a GSD, he's on the restricted breeds list and is required to wear a muzzle and be on a lead no longer than 2 metres when out in public. Unless you have access to private property with permission to use, off lead play in public areas would lead to breaking the law, unless you can organise safe play dates with other dogs on your own land.


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