Getting the balance

LindaM · #1 04-01-12, 08:07 AM

I am wondering of those of you are much more experienced than me how you get the balance with these dogs.

If I give him more attention and hugs than usual, and he is very huggable, although I don't overdo it, he then starts challenging me.

What I mean be that is instead of going off an relaxing he is in 'alert, what do you want from me' position which may be lying down, looking relaxed but his ears are upright, not forward, and he is waiting to catch my eye.

When the balance is wrong then he won't do as I ask without being told quite firmly. So I wanted him to sit before he came in from the garden and he wouldn't do it until I was quite firm.

I don't think I am a 'pushover' but he is always 'up for the challenge' is this normal, well it is for us at the moment.

Just interested in your thoughts.

I always make him do what I ask. And in he doesn't growl or show any signs of aggression towards me at all but he would swap roles and 'be boss' any time.

Am I doing something wrong or is this just being 'a German Shepherd'.

Ta

LOVEGSD · #2 04-01-12, 11:21 AM

Diesel quite likes his space so I don't tend to get in his face too much but there are times when he's thinking I should be doing something for him and will lay with his ears erect and twitch every time I move...lol....I tend to ignore him if he's doing this.

Diesel does have moments where I'll ask him to sit (before he's let off lead at the park) and he'll be looking at another dog so I'll get the slowest sit in the world out of him but then I'll just wait until he does it.

I think now he's 7 he's settled in his life so we don't get any 'challenges' from him tbh.

Lukey is young so I think you are seeing this as they are strong willed and intelligent dogs, Diesel had his moments when he was growing up.

kazP · #3 04-01-12, 12:06 PM

I know what you are saying Linda... it's a bit like you give an inch and they take a mile. I also find that if Abi was doing something well (a rare event), such as walking to heel... the minute I say 'good girl' the magic is broken.

kazeti · #4 04-01-12, 01:48 PM

most dog's will test you to some degree, it's natural action from them, very much like KazP has said give an inch take a mile, this is not true with all dog's but most will try it on abit....
It really depends on the dog and it react's to with some the more fuss you make the more they will try and find out why or what happened now. Some just take life in their stride and don't give a toss about anything they have their toy/food/bed and life is that simple for them
it does get easier as they get older with most

Chrystie22 · #5 04-01-12, 01:58 PM

I can relate with you all as Diva is similar, if you give her too much attention or fuss too much over her, she gets very excitable and will try to get away with murder!! We try to rein her in tho as we dont want to end up with a very demanding or challenging adult dog. She also does the sitting down very slowly routine sometimes as if she thinks if she takes too long we will change our mind, we dont and you can see the sulk on her face, typical teen, LOL!!!

claire_88 · #6 04-01-12, 04:09 PM

I definitely think they have their stubborn days, probably the most important thing i learnt was to make sure they follow through with the command no matter how long it takes....

For some dog's it's to do with whats in it for them...... ok so i sat down so where's my treat etc..
Skye is like this....if there is no reward it's very likely she either won't do what i ask or she will go right round the houses and take so long to do it in the hope i'l give up.

Regards to kazp comment: our trainer told us that because they are a breed so eager to please you have to praise them throughout the training, but like yourself i find as soon as i say good girl she takes that as a cue to do whatever she wants. However when i say ''good girl, stay'' ''good girl, close'' etc she is a little better because i think she is concentrating on the last word :/

LindaM · #7 04-01-12, 05:29 PM

Thanks for your replies. He is 4 mind so not a youngster. I think I will just go on learning.

Life isn't boring when you have a German Shepherd it seems.

Moobli · #8 04-01-12, 05:48 PM

I have found that they are certainly a breed that need a firm (but fair) leader. As someone said, if you give an inch they will take a mile

Some dogs are more likely to push their luck than others. I have had GSDs that are really laid back and enjoy a cuddle and a fuss without any sign of it giving them designs on taking over the household

I have also found that my workline boy is more likely to get over-excited if I get all giddy with him, so I tend to keep his praise and fuss low-key.

I think the balance you are talking about is really about being a firm leader to your dog, but being fair to him and knowing his strengths and weaknesses and working with the strengths.

LindaM · #9 04-01-12, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moobli

I have found that they are certainly a breed that need a firm (but fair) leader. As someone said, if you give an inch they will take a mile

Some dogs are more likely to push their luck than others. I have had GSDs that are really laid back and enjoy a cuddle and a fuss without any sign of it giving them designs on taking over the household

I have also found that my workline boy is more likely to get over-excited if I get all giddy with him, so I tend to keep his praise and fuss low-key.

I think the balance you are talking about is really about being a firm leader to your dog, but being fair to him and knowing his strengths and weaknesses and working with the strengths.

that's my boy give him an extra hug and a cuddle and 'he has designs on taking over the household' - yes that's my boy

Stuart · #10 04-01-12, 06:16 PM

Its even more of a balancing act when you have more than one dog and each are different, Sam is the one who likes his own space, and is very happy with a brief hug, Jazz, is happy to get the soft spoken word and often remain lying down wagging her tail while recieving her praise,... but Kee is the dead opposit, she gets very hyper, if I praise her she will be very pushy wanting more, almost to an extent that she is a real problem, and if I grab a hug from either of the others Kee has to push in for her`s..so she needs to be ignored

Which means that they all get the same treatment, Kee gets praise then ignored, Sam and Jazz get talked to nicely,.. but where ever I go in the house I never walk by them without putting down my hand and running it along their backs as I pass,.. they all seem very happy with that kind of attention

....and it seems that it is enough attention to get good responces from them when ever I need them to do something.