My 1 1/2 year old GSD refuses to listen...WHAT DO I DO???

[markies]

Hi

Sounds like you have a handful here. I would suggest going right back to the basics, look at what you allow your GSD to do and dig deep to see whether you really are the alpha dog in the house. Some of the following may help, if you do not already do them.

1. Feed your dog after you
2. Restrict its movement around your house
3. Ignore any bad behaviors (difficult to do sometimes)
4. Keep your dog downstairs
5. keep you dog below you all the times
6. Make sure you fulfil the needs of the breed by playing relevant games for a GSD.

If you do this sort of thing and are still having problems perhaps you might try a cage, to restrict movement, or even get a one to one behavior expert in to your house to see exactly what you are allowing your dog to do. They are great at suggesting things on site where they can see the root of the problem. It usually is the owner, not the dog.

All the best
Markies

[Poly]

My impression here is that the OP should not have had this breed of dog...the best intentions seem to be present but the knowledge is lacking.
I would never profess to be an expert - on anything really lol....but this is what I am picking up. I never owned or was in contact with GSD's before I got my pup 2years ago. But I certainly didnt go into the decision of owning one lightly and was as fully prepared as I could be. I also believe it is very important choosing the right breeder...I found there were many question I had along the way and still have questions now about certain things...but I believe if you get your dog from a responsible breeder then hopefully you can pick up on small problems before they escalate. I dont believe the OP has had this support and maybe did not choose wisely when getting her dog.
I had slight worries regarding my dogs ears- but that was me just over analysing things ie he's x amounts of months old why arent his ears up etc - but that was just down to my lack of experience...but as I always would I refered to my breeder to ask the question. I would not have been happy to glue or tape my dogs ears...if they didnt go up then they just didnt and thats life - Im sure my dog wouldnt have had a complex about it - so why should I?
I dont agree with the pulling the dog across the room by its collar just because you want the dog to come to you - whats all that about? for one I thought a golden rule was that you wait for your dog to come to you not vice versa - is this not part of establishing the pack leadership? I also would not shout at my dog...I find short firm commands to work...like 'No' 'wait' 'leave' etc these seem to do the trick most of the time if im consistant...unfortunately the outside world can be abit more interesting then me at times ;-) but on the whole hes a good lad.
My dog is my world and hopefully I like to think I am his...but I wouldnt force him to like me...we all know ourselves if we are forced into something we are less likely to want to do it...and i have no doubt dogs are the same.

[vickynbandit]

Sorry but I dont understand this thing with glueing ears up??? my dog has a few imperfections floppy ears to mention and a tail so long he keeps tripping over it! but at the end of the day it fits in with his personality and gives him his character!
as for the bandana - yeh ok, granted some people like to "personalise" their dogs thats up to them - but i cant help feeling that shes treating this pup as a fashion accessory and doing whats best for her - rather then whats best for the dog!
perhaps if she showed the dog a little more respect and actually gave him some training that GSD's crave for she'd have a more postitive outcome and a more responsive dog.
im actuaully quite shocked at the aggressive responses from the OP TBH when advice is being offered - cant really blame the dog for behaving the way he is IMHO.

vicky

[LOVEGSD]

It's shocking isn't it! I pray that poor pup has had proper training now and is less scared...broke my heart reading it!!

[GSDOWNER]

I have opened a new thread for you theresa

click to view >>>>>http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/forums/dog-training-forum/2375-electric-collars.html

[karas mum]

hi there im new to this but my 8 year old gsd has reasently started a barking problem too. she has always been good but now barks at everything and anything and wont listen to me or my partner.

what do you mean about gluing his ears up? is this painful?

[Sasha]

Originally Posted by karas mum

hi there im new to this but my 8 year old gsd has reasently started a barking problem too. she has always been good but now barks at everything and anything and wont listen to me or my partner.

what do you mean about gluing his ears up? is this painful?

The exact same thing happened with my Golden Retreiver in the last year, it took a while before the penny dropped and the vet has confirmed it - she is as deaf as a post!!! She feels vibrations instead of some noises and the slightest thing sets her off. With Ellie, we now have 'signs' like finger clicking to tell her it's time to go out and touching her back to tell her to shut the f*** up you dozy mare! (All meant in a very affectionate manner to the old bag, obviously )

She's had really good health until recently when she's got old! She's also got doggy dementia which could also play a part in her barking, but she is 11 and if we can't go bonkers when we're 11 when can we?

Paula