Stewarts Thread

gsdstewart · #1 06-04-11, 11:25 AM

Hi

I am quite new to the forum, having looked at many sites...sometimes thinking maybe I am looking into things too much...anyway, looking for someone to give feedback.....I got Sheba when she was 7 weeks old, from a local breeder....she was of course a wee character, learning toileting very quick, brilliant with crate etc...attending puppy classes from the age of 11 weeks....she has however reached 5 months(about 6) and the last 3 weeks she has reverted to biting and snapping.. she also seems to want to jump on smaller dogs...practising dominance???.....I am guessing, this could be a number of factors...she has had quiet a few visits to the vet..not only for her innoculations but she has had skin rashes...not got to the bottom as yet, Vets cannot confirm if this is an 'allergy' or if this is puppy acne, due to the rubbish weather/grit that we are having in Fife (Scotland) or could this be her food??....she does not have a good appetite, and has had diahorria, and have changed her food already...giving her two smallers meals a day....also being aware of bloat in gsds...... she is also back to teething , as her new teeth have been coming in....(have been giving her rawhide bones, which she loves)
3 weeks ago she was also bitten in the face by a collie, taking another trip to the vet, more antibiotics...(the collie owner calling her dog a 'witch' and refunding vet bill!!!- a crufts dog that doesn't do dogs!!!)....

I asked for advice from the dog trainer at the puppy class, with regards to biting, as she done this in puppy class, only to be told that this is a gsd thing !!...spoke to the vet and he has stated the same type of thing....would this not be about the dog rather than breed specific?? -I have had a gsd before and a rotweiller and not had snapping/biting back? - Having researched the trainers in the area, looking for someone with gsd experience, I have found a number of different trainers, none gsd specific, however a few old school trainers to behaviourists....Therefore I booked a one-to-one with a local trainer, he trains gundogs and does agility classes, he was going to use an e collar to train???....Sheba is a long haired gsd , she initially pulls on the lead and he advised using a choke collar ( I had been using a half check), I used this for a few days,this has made her more snappy and unbearable to walk with (like a battle)...her hair has been rubbed away from a part of her neck...understandbly she would not be happy...I currently walk her 3x daily and I have people in he local park picking up there dogs and taking a detour when they see me...not good for socialising my dog/there dogs...anyway...had this many times in the past with dog handlers..I have stopped the current puppy classes in search of a better class/training and I am waiting on Sheba showing signs of better health, however I do not want the biting to become a problem and some people have been saying that she is still young and will grow out of this??...I have not rescheduled another training session as I was not sure of the trainer....Can anyone give feedback..

...much appreciated...

Caryll · #2 06-04-11, 11:30 AM

Phew! Firstly, what are you feeding at the moment?
Secondly, has she been spayed, could she be coming in to season for the first time?

The food could have a tremendous amount to do with both her allergies and her behaviour. If she's coming in to season it could affect her behaviour.

What do you do when she bites/snaps, and does she actually make contact with you?

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

P.S. Could a mod move this to its own topic?

gsdstewart · #3 06-04-11, 11:43 AM

...thanks for getting back...she has just been weaned off Bakers (puppy), as I could not get another food at the time, as we were house bound with the snow, she is currently on Skinners...
...I know that she is at her teenage diffiant age, and that she would come into season but I guessed it would be aroung 9 months...I know that their is alot of debate with getting dogs spayed before their first season but she will be getting booked in soon....

..when she bites she is making contact...bruising and breaking skin...I am currently stating NO, however I have used water sprays and pet corrector - advice from classes....this does not seem to be of great use...I do not want tosend her to her bed/crate ,as this may reinforce a negativity with her sleeping place?? -

Caryll · #4 06-04-11, 12:06 PM

Bakers is a terrible food - I'm glad you took her off of that!

Do you still take her to training classes?

gsdstewart · #5 06-04-11, 12:22 PM

...she has missed one,... on Monday night....looking for another class or bronze training class.....definately a shortage in my area...

kita · #6 06-04-11, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

..when she bites she is making contact...bruising and breaking skin...I am currently stating NO, however I have used water sprays and pet corrector - advice from classes....this does not seem to be of great use...I do not want tosend her to her bed/crate ,as this may reinforce a negativity with her sleeping place?? -

When she bites (the second her teeth touch skin), immediately stop all interaction with her, don't speak to her or make eye contact. Turn your back on her - if she continues to bite or jump up walk out of the room and shut the door behind you. Wait a couple of minutes and when she has calmed down praise her.

When she bites she is getting over excited and wants your attention. If you say 'no', spray her with water or use a pet corrector they are all giving her your attention. I suppose its a bit like a toddler throwing a tantrum, she is demanding your attention NOW!

By withdrawing your attention and stopping the 'game' she will soon learn that biting is not fun and gets her absolutely nothing.

As regards training no way would I be going anywhere near the gun dog trainer that suggested the 'e' collar. There is never any need to use something like that on such a young dog. I don't like choke chains either, as you have found out they don't always work.

For pulling on the lead you could try a head collar. I use a Halti, but I attach the lead to the collar first then clip it through the ring on the Halti. Some people prefer the Dogmatic head collar.

Sue

#7 06-04-11, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caryll

Phew! Firstly, what are you feeding at the moment?
Secondly, has she been spayed, could she be coming in to season for the first time?

The food could have a tremendous amount to do with both her allergies and her behaviour. If she's coming in to season it could affect her behaviour.

What do you do when she bites/snaps, and does she actually make contact with you?

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

P.S. Could a mod move this to its own topic?

Bump

P.S. Could a mod move this to its own topic?[/QUOTE]

gsdstewart · #8 06-04-11, 03:41 PM

Hi

Thanks for your feedback...I have been stopping interaction, and she still seems to jump and bite, however the behaviour seems to stop after some time, this proves difficult when out walking....

Does the head collar not mark the dogs face??

Thanks

Otto 's Mutter · #9 06-04-11, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

Hi

Thanks for your feedback...I have been stopping interaction, and she still seems to jump and bite, however the behaviour seems to stop after some time, this proves difficult when out walking....

Does the head collar not mark the dogs face??

Thanks

I use a Halti with Otto and it doesn't mark his face. You just need to make sure that it is fitted correctly.

Do you mind me asking where you are as someone may be able to recommend a class in your area to you?

GobbySchäferhund · #10 06-04-11, 05:32 PM

Im fairley new and learning new things every day, but i would recommend the halti head harness, worked a treat on Jess untill she chewed through it, Size 3 usually works depending on the size of her head.

PS: Stay away from BAKERS

Im sure everyone will chip in here and give you advice on every problem.

If carlsberg made forums....................

Welcome and Enjoy