German Shepard Training

Jurrrr

Hi Guys,

I know there are previous posts in this matter but they are years old so said I would start fresh. Hope that's OK.

I have a male GSD and have had him since 14 weeks. He is 9 months now. We havnt gotten him any training but have been working hard to get him to a good standard. He is toilet trained and basic command trained. He gets walked 5 or 6 times a week, different routes. I am having trouble with him a nerves. He is very anxious out walking and have tries numerous times with socialisation etc. I try to introduce him to different situations etc and he is fine. It's very bad when stopped at lights waiting to cross and then someone else appears waiting beside us. He goes ballistic.

When people ring the door bell he is jumping and hopping around like there is no tomorrow. He is fine with regular visitors although anyone he doesn't know the hair is standing and he is barking. I know it is nerves and I would like to help him out with this. He is fond of jumping when we come home too. Not the worst but my wife is pregnant and cannot allow this behaviour, especially when new baby arrives.

Can anyone recommend a trainer that works with socialisation? I find it hard to take him to places with alot of activity because he is very intimidating with his bark and behaviour.

In the house with the family he is a big baby and a gem. His best friend is my 2 year old daughter.

Any help greatly appreciated!

em_cat

Jurrrr wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I know there are previous posts in this matter but they are years old so said I would start fresh. Hope that's OK.

I have a male GSD and have had him since 14 weeks. He is 9 months now. We havnt gotten him any training but have been working hard to get him to a good standard. He is toilet trained and basic command trained. He gets walked 5 or 6 times a week, different routes. I am having trouble with him a nerves. He is very anxious out walking and have tries numerous times with socialisation etc. I try to introduce him to different situations etc and he is fine. It's very bad when stopped at lights waiting to cross and then someone else appears waiting beside us. He goes ballistic.

When people ring the door bell he is jumping and hopping around like there is no tomorrow. He is fine with regular visitors although anyone he doesn't know the hair is standing and he is barking. I know it is nerves and I would like to help him out with this. He is fond of jumping when we come home too. Not the worst but my wife is pregnant and cannot allow this behaviour, especially when new baby arrives.

Can anyone recommend a trainer that works with socialisation? I find it hard to take him to places with alot of activity because he is very intimidating with his bark and behaviour.

In the house with the family he is a big baby and a gem. His best friend is my 2 year old daughter.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Where are you located? It sounds like your pup may need more than training & socialisation.

There is a place in Glasnevin that is fabulous, a few of us boardsies go there for behaviour work with our pooches which is more than just socialisation and it does take more effort but creates a stronger bond.

Jurrrr

em_cat wrote: »

Where are you located? It sounds like your pup may need more than training & socialisation.

There is a place in Glasnevin that is fabulous, a few of us boardsies go there for behaviour work with our pooches which is more than just socialisation and it does take more effort but creates a stronger bond.

Thanks for the reply. I am based in Dublin 14. The car isn't really suitable as it is pretty small and he is pretty big! Do you know any of these classes/ gatherings my way? I don't mind the extra effort at all but what exactly makes these gatherings more than socialising, just out of curiosity. Again, thanks for the reply.

Jurrrr

I may add, when there are no people around he is a fun happy puppy on the lead and just as would be expected, he isn't wary all the time. When we walk by people he just wants to sniff them and check them out. It's hard to explain but hopefully my posts can paint the picture!

cocker5

Jurrrr wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I am based in Dublin 14. The car isn't really suitable as it is pretty small and he is pretty big! Do you know any of these classes/ gatherings my way? I don't mind the extra effort at all but what exactly makes these gatherings more than socialising, just out of curiosity. Again, thanks for the reply.

Have you tried the dog park in Marley park? It may help socialize him more

tk123

Jurrrr wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I am based in Dublin 14. The car isn't really suitable as it is pretty small and he is pretty big! Do you know any of these classes/ gatherings my way? I don't mind the extra effort at all but what exactly makes these gatherings more than socialising, just out of curiosity. Again, thanks for the reply.

I think what em_cat was saying is that there’s more to behaviour work than socialisation. The last thing I’d do in your case is go to a dog park as it’s flooding the dog and just too much. It’s also not fair on other people who are there.

Emmaline from http://www.citizencanineireland.com is fantastic and will come to you, go on a walk to see what’s happening etc etc. She’s come out to me twice to work on issues. I live in Glasnevin btw....and would choose Emmaline every time..

em_cat

tk123 wrote: »

I think what em_cat was saying is that there’s more to behaviour work than socialisation. The last thing I’d do in your case is go to a dog park as it’s flooding the dog and just too much. It’s also not fair on other people who are there.

Emmaline from http://www.citizencanineireland.com is fantastic and will come to you, go on a walk to see what’s happening etc etc. She’s come out to me twice to work on issues. I live in Glasnevin btw....and would choose Emmaline every time..

Thanks tk123, I’ve heard loads of great things about Emmaline, but found that she was in high demand at the time when I was so overwhelmed at first. But have to say I can’t recommend anied enough!!!

Will say though, I have learned some interesting ways to deal with a reactive dog!!! People often look at me as if I’m batsh*te crazy

Jurrrr

cocker5 wrote: »

Have you tried the dog park in Marley park? It may help socialize him more

I havnt tried it yet, I always thought it would be harsh having to keep him on a lead while all the other dogs had the fun. Don't know how he would react to other dogs coming up to him while on a lead and them free.

He has had contact with a sister of his and after afew minutes they were getting on great. Also had a golden retriever and a Maltese off lead see him and make a beeline for him while he was on lead as we were coming back from a walk. He just had a sniff of the retriever while the Maltese was standard little dog and extreamly hyper making him a little anxious. I may take a walk up and see what it is like prior to bringing him.

Jurrrr

tk123 wrote: »

I think what em_cat was saying is that there’s more to behaviour work than socialisation. The last thing I’d do in your case is go to a dog park as it’s flooding the dog and just too much. It’s also not fair on other people who are there.

Emmaline from http://www.citizencanineireland.com is fantastic and will come to you, go on a walk to see what’s happening etc etc. She’s come out to me twice to work on issues. I live in Glasnevin btw....and would choose Emmaline every time..

Greatly appreciative. Thank you for the contact. I will have a look at her website! Thank you

cocker5

Jurrrr wrote: »

I havnt tried it yet, I always thought it would be harsh having to keep him on a lead while all the other dogs had the fun. Don't know how he would react to other dogs coming up to him while on a lead and them free.

He has had contact with a sister of his and after afew minutes they were getting on great. Also had a golden retriever and a Maltese off lead see him and make a beeline for him while he was on lead as we were coming back from a walk. He just had a sniff of the retriever while the Maltese was standard little dog and extreamly hyper making him a little anxious. I may take a walk up and see what it is like prior to bringing him.

Hi OP

Ok well I def wouldn’t bring him in on lead ... more than likely dogs will run over in a very excited state etc.. maybe try some socialization classes first as they are more controlled..

What age is ur dog op?

Try wonder paws they are in bray and only 15 mins down the m50 from you


http://www.wonderpaws.ie/

muddypaws

cocker5 wrote: »

Have you tried the dog park in Marley park? It may help socialize him more

Restricted breeds are banned from Dublin dog parks. I'm not sure how strictly it's policed.

I wouldn't recommend a dog park for a reactive dog. Socialisation is very important but it has to be controlled and positive, unfortunately it's very misunderstood and the wrong type of socialisation causes more problems than it solves.

Jurrrr

cocker5 wrote: »

Hi OP

Ok well I def wouldn’t bring him in on lead ... more than likely dogs will run over in a very excited state etc.. maybe try some socialization classes first as they are more controlled..

What age is ur dog op?

Try wonder paws they are in bray and only 15 mins down the m50 from you


http://www.wonderpaws.ie/

Heya, he is coming up on 10 months old now at this stage. I have had him in with Positive Dog Training in Sandyford when I was just out on a walk. I brought him in and a very nice lady was talking to me - he was anxious at the start but within 5 minutes he was eating treats out of her hand and having a ball. It is just the initial "unknown". I will have a look at the WP website too. Thank you.

muddypaws wrote: »

Restricted breeds are banned from Dublin dog parks. I'm not sure how strictly it's policed.

I wouldn't recommend a dog park for a reactive dog. Socialisation is very important but it has to be controlled and positive, unfortunately it's very misunderstood and the wrong type of socialisation causes more problems than it solves.

Thank Muddypaws. Restricted breeds are allowed into dog parks as long as they are on a short lead and muzzled. Hence why I wouldn't be mad on bringing him here being forced on a lead with others running free.

"8. Listed breeds (Control of Dogs Regulations 1998) must be muzzled
and leashed at all times" I wasn't sure myself so checked it out a few months ago.

muddypaws

Jurrrr wrote: »

Thank Muddypaws. Restricted breeds are allowed into dog parks as long as they are on a short lead and muzzled. Hence why I wouldn't be mad on bringing him here being forced on a lead with others running free.

"8. Listed breeds (Control of Dogs Regulations 1998) must be muzzled
and leashed at all times" I wasn't sure myself so checked it out a few months ago.

They're banned from Corkagh Park dog park, I thought it was all SDCC parks at least. Unfortunately I have seen a dog owner of a non restricted breed tell someone to leave with their RB dog all dog owners should be sticking together to get rid of the legislation, not helping to enforce it.

Jurrrr

muddypaws wrote: »

They're banned from Corkagh Park dog park, I thought it was all SDCC parks at least. Unfortunately I have seen a dog owner of a non restricted breed tell someone to leave with their RB dog all dog owners should be sticking together to get rid of the legislation, not helping to enforce it.

Ah, it is how it is. It kills me because it is truly awful tarring them all with the same brush. I type this as I watch my 2 year old playing with my 40kg GSD and having the time of their lives. Ridiculous.

I saw the same about Corkagh alright, perhaps because Marley is DLRCC they have different rules? I did just check back there to be sure they are allowed and same quote as above applies. Saying that though, I still couldn't bring him. It would be like bringing the kids to Disneyland and not letting them on any rides!