german shepherd potty training How to potty train a Husky/German Shepherd Mix?
We have a year and a half old Husky/German Shepherd mix. Annika goes potty outside less than half the time. She will go outside and sometimes she will pee and then when she gets in the house she will poop. She is kenneled trained and she does not go in her kennel when we are gone. After being in her kennel all day she still does not go immediately when we take her outside.
I am getting frustrated with her going in the house. She shows no signs she has to go outside. Sometimes she barks and I thinks she is telling me she has to go potty, but instead she is telling me she wants to go outside. Finding her a new home is NOT an option. When I take an animal in, it’s for the rest of their or my life.
She is very loyal and protective, she even tries to intervene when my husband gives me a hug.
Any advice would be helpful.
Walk the dog when you get home — for at least 45 minutes to an hour. It needs exercise. I’d also walk her before i went to bed, also. She needs to move around to get her “insides” working — i’d imagine sitting in a crate all day makes her system slow way down….
Her pooping in the house might also be a behavior problem.
I’d also suggest considering a dog sitter a few days a week, or having someone come in to visit with and/or walk the dog while it’s left at home. While crate training works, leaving a dog in a crate all day long is boring for a dog. Dogs really need more stimulation.
Importance of Dog Training
The fact however is that dog training is all about making the bond between you and your dog stronger and teaching the basic rules to make them a better and safer pet as well as pleasant companion. Dog training is not about subjecting your dog to follow every bit of what you whine. It is about communication. This is regardless of whether you own it for company or for protection. The procedure will turn your frisky puppy into a docile dog that will obey your command and stay away from trouble and you will not have behavioral problems with it in the future. The saying that goes you can’t teach an old new tricks hold. It is highly advised that you start training your dog while it’s still a puppy. This is because old dogs are more difficult to train. Sometimes, different dog breeds may require different dog training techniques. For example you can’t use the same training technique to technique to train a German shepherd and a large Great Dane. The training starts with obedience training. First and foremost your puppy must recognize his name and be responding to it every time you call it out. You can then train him to come whenever you call him. Use the verbal commands ‘come’ and ‘here’ when you call him. The other commands can follow in like the sit commands. Rule of thumb; you should start with simple commands then gradually advance to more complicated ones. The importance of dog training is to have a disciplined and docile dog that will follow simple commands and keep away from trouble such as destroying your neighbors flower patch. Also dog training is to make your dog safer, not only to you and your family, but also to everyone in your neighborhood. This is especially important if you have a large dog that can be capable of damage or injury. Patience and perseverance is a vital virtue you have to posses because dog training is not easy. You have to be always consistent in your commands so that your dog will learn faster and more effectively. Respect to your dog is important. You chose him and he didn’t choose you. You should treat him in the first place, because if you don’t you will end up with an unhappy who will likely flee away from you and eventually be difficult to train. If you are truly determined to train your dog personally, you can find a lot of resource material on dog training many books, manuals, pamphlets and others. Try to get some information about dog training even before you get as puppy. Sometimes pet shops will offer dog obedience in training for free or at a fee. Just make sure it is with relevance to the requirements of your dogs breed.
german shepherd different breeds Mini Daschund & German Shepherd living together??
Hi, My boyfriend and I own a miniture daschund and looking to buy a german shepherd to add to the family…
I’m a little concerned at how these two (very different!) breeds will get along.
Our daschund is nearly 2yrs old, is very playful and loves all dogs. Looking to buy the german shepherd as a pup so that might help them get comfortable with eachother.
Does anyone own these two breeds or know how they might interact?
Any helpful info will be greatly appreciated!
I’ve had experience working for an animal rescue and we always performed “dog intros” before adopting out to a multiple dog household.
The reasoning behind this is that if the dogs don’t get along initially, they’re more than likely not going to get along too well at home. By having two professionals introduce the two dogs on lead, it will prevent any fights from breaking out, therefore, keeping both dogs safe. Dogs know pretty quickly (after a few sniffs) whether or not they like another dog.
I would highly suggest you consider this before taking in any other dog of any breed.
Another consideration you might want to take is adopting from an animal rescue/shelter. There are millions of dogs euthanized every year due to overpopulation.
= )
Can German Shepherds get along with an other breed of a puppy?
i have a german shepherd but really wanna puppy. not a german shepherd puppy but a different kind of breed that stays small. would they get along..?
That would depend totally on the two individual dogs themselves, as well as on you as their owner. It would have nothing to do with their sizes or breeds.
german shepherd obedience training What is the cost of dog training/obedience?
I have 2 German Shepherds. 1 mail 1yr. 1 female 9 months. I want to adopt another male German Shepherd that is 21/2 yrs. What is the average cost of training do you think?
Hi there, hope your doing ok!
Here are your options for various kinds of dog training programs:
There are group dog training sessions that usually cost around $40 – $130 and that last four to eight weeks, 1 hour per session.
There are also private dog training sessions, where the trainer himself will visit your house or work place to give your dog a professional training for around two – four weeks. This type costs around $1000 – $2,500 and training session usually last longer compared to group training sessions.
Yes it is quite expensive, but you can rest assured that you will get what you pay for. Most dog trainers focus on different areas of your dog’s attitude and obedience and after that training program, you will begin to appreciate the difference it did for your dog and for you. Standard training classes usually focus on addressing your dog’s chewing, barking, biting and digging behavior.
Here are a few tricks that are free though
Start Using Sign Language to Communicate with Your Dog
Believe it or not, your dog never did learn to obey your voice commands. Sure, it may have appeared to obey “sit, stay, and come” or whatever else you have taught it but really your dog learned to follow some other signal. Your dog learned that when you move a certain way you want to it do the trick.
If you watch yourself, you will start seeing that maybe you pat your leg when you want it to come or raise your hand when you want it to sit. Do the sign without the words and your dog will still do the trick. In fact, teach tricks without the sign and your dog will learn faster.
Start Using Body Language
This goes right along with sign language. Many times, people wonder why my dogs don’t rush the door when the doorbell rings. It is because I have taught them not to do this. I tell people I can teach their dogs not to rush the door in less than five minutes as well. (No one ever believes me.)
I have a volunteer ring the doorbell. When the dogs rush the door, I get between the dogs and the door and loom over the dogs. The dogs back away. I back the dogs up until the dogs get to a predefined point. Then, I go towards the door. If the dogs start towards the door, I turn and loom towards the dogs again until they back up past the point. It takes a few minutes but they get the point. (Sometimes I add the word “back” if they have been trained, but not always.)
This method takes a few doorbell rings for the dogs to learn that they are not to go past the predefined point. Then, I have the owners try the doorbell challenge. The owners are always shocked at how fast the dogs learn not to rush the door. It only took a little body language to learn.
Stop Yelling at the Dogs
This is actually a common mistake. The dogs start barking and people start yelling to be quiet. This is really reinforcing the behavior. In essence, you are telling the dogs there is something to bark about and you are joining in by sounding the alarm.
While this may sound odd, this is an effective maneuver. If your dogs are barking at something outside, call them inside. Even if they only stay inside for a few minutes, you interrupted the pattern and stopped the barking. If they are barking inside, send them out. The message sent is barking equals they must leave the activity and quiet means they get to stay. Never pet a barking dog.
Hope this was helpful
German Shepherd Dogs Training Equipment
In order to proceed to German shepherd training, you must have German shepherd dogs training equipment. You must have enough and good qualities of equipment to have a successful training. For best result you must train it the dog in its younger days. This will assure you that when it grows it would be one of the best dogs ever. Experience is a factor here. When that dog started training in his younger year he will have more experience than the others.
One of these equipment is what we call muzzles. This will prevent your dog from biting anyone.
These muzzles must be lightweight so that the dog that is wearing will feel comfort. This kind of gear is perfect for training. You can use it also when travelling with your dog or paying a visit to a veterinarian. It must have designs that fits to the dog and must be durable.
These equipments are also essential in training your German shepherd dog: dog harness, collar and leash. Harness – this will help keep dogs from pulling. Collar – it is equipment that is used for control, identification and fashion. Leash- it is equipment that is used to lead, control or hold an animal, it is a chain, strap or rope that can be attached to the harness or collar of a dog.
Having all of this essential equipment is a big factor in a successful training. But having this alone is not sufficient. There are still things to be considered. Some of these factors are the dog trainer, the place where you conduct your training and of course the dog itself. The dog trainer must pass all the qualifications for a good trainer and experience is the best trait that they must possess. The place must be in a quiet and peaceful area where there are no other disturbances. The dog’s attitude is also a big factor to be considered. The more obedient your dog is, the more assurance to a successful training.
german shepherd excessive barking What can I do to stop my dog’s excessive barking?
I have my first dog. He’s a german shepherd/lab/chow mix. He’s been 1 years old since sep. 29 . We have got him neutered, knowing that it will calm his hyperactivity and make him easier to train. We adopted him so I don’t know what he’s been through in the past. He used to bark at people out of fear. Now he goes outside with his ears stickin up, lookin for someone to bark at. If he finds someone, he runs toward them and starts barking at them. I can’t stop him from barking unless I grab him by the collar and bring him back in the house. We are management in a four story indoor motel, so we live there and we live on the highway. I let my dogs use the bathroom and if he’s sees someone on the sidewalk and barks at him, we get complaints sometimes. How can I train him to refrain from excessive barking?
How about doing something besides just hauling him away?
Chows were bred as guard dogs – to alert to threats ans intruders. So were GDS. Labs are just oblivious unless you force them to pay attention.
Try the word NO – works wonders for all sorts of things once the dog understands that NO means stop whatever you are doing.
When he barks, go and and get a firm grip on his collar/scruff of neck. Put your hand over and around his muzzle and, in a calm reassuring voice, tell him “Okay, thank you, now hush.” If he try to keeps barking, tell him “NO” in a hash stern voice and squeeze his muzzle. If he still keeps trying to bark, squeeze the side of the muzzle – the skin- into the side of his mouth against his teeth and repeat NO. (Use a deep voice – don’t let your voice go up, make it go down.) You don’t quit until he does. The minute he quits, lots and lots of praise in happy voice with hugs and pets and tummy rubs.
If he flat ignores you, pin him to the ground with one hand and your other hand on his muzzle , lean over him and roar NO.
Do this EVERY SINGLE TIME he barks when you want him to stop. Keep doing it until the associates “Okay, thank you” or “hush” with the concept he is to stop barking. (After all, you would want him to bark if someone was trying to break in the house, yes?)
Also, take him to some obedience classes no matter what his age if he are over 6 months. You get a nicer pet, he is more comfortable with the world and less fearful and inclined to bark at everything and he gets the habit of obeying
How to Deal With a Barking Dog
There are few things that are more annoying than a barking dog; especially one that barks incessantly, sometimes for no apparent reason. Stopping problem barking can be a real challenge but with the right approach it is possible to quiet your barking dog and in the process, your relationship with your dog will be made stronger. Many people seem to believe that the only good dog is a quiet dog. They think that barking is only excusable if there is an intruder breaking in the window or maybe if your house is burning. But the truth is that barking is part of being a dog. It is one of a his primary ways of communicating. A healthy, well adjusted dog will sometimes bark. It is our duty to figure out what they are saying and to set the limits on their “communication”.
So what might your dog be trying to tell you? There are many possible reasons for barking. Some breeds of dogs were bred to bark. Guard dogs like Rottweilers or German Shepherds, for instance. Hunting dogs like Beagles and Bloodhounds were bred to “bay” when they are following a trail. Smaller breeds, like Chihuahuas, seem to bark and put on a big show to make up for their diminutive stature.
Aside from the breed specific characteristics, there are some other reasons that any dog may bark a lot. Sometimes they are anxious or afraid because they sense that something is wrong. Or they may see someone or something near their “territory”. If your dog is barking for any of these reasons, it isn’t really realistic for you to try to stop him completely: he is, after all, a dog, and it’s the nature of dogs to bark at certain times and in certain situations. It may also be that he is just bored, lonely or needing attention.
But, of course, sometimes barking is excessive and unwarranted. Many dogs use their barking as a way of manipulating their owners! For example, suppose you are lying on the couch trying to read a book. Your dog awakes up from his nap and decides its play time. He picks up his favorite ball, walks over, and drops it in your face. You try to ignore him and keep reading. After a few seconds he nudges your hand with his wet nose and barks once, loudly. When you continue reading he barks again, now louder and, when you still don’t respond like he wants he barks repeatedly and won’t stop. Finally, you give up trying to relax, put down your book and take him outside to play ball. Now it is important that you spend quality time playing with your dog and giving him attention, but it should be on your terms. Your dog has just used barking to get you to do what he wanted. So you have reinforced the bad behavior. Dog ownership involves mutual respect between you and your pet, but it is not about equality. It is about you being the boss and the dog following your leadership. Dogs, in fact, are the happiest (and best behaved) when they know that you are in charge. For a dog to be calm and well adjusted they need to respect you. In the above scenario the dog was not respecting you. He wasn’t asking you to play; she was manipulating you into doing what he wanted. You taught him that if he barks long enough he get his way. So, how do you stop this manipulation? Simply ignore him. Easier said than done, I know? I don’t simply mean passively ignoring him, where you pay no attention and just go on with what you are doing. You must clearly communicate to him with your demeanor and body language that his behavior is unacceptable. When he starts barking, literally turn your back on him. Get up, turn away from him and avert your eyes. Don’t look at your dog or even speak to him. Initially this will confuse him because this barking dog routine always worked for him in the past. He may even start barking louder! The important thing here is consistency. Don’t give in after 15 minutes and give him what he wants. That will only teach him that he needs to be really persistent. “O.K.”, he’ll think, “it takes 15 minutes of continual barking to get my way. That’s alright, I’m a dog. I’ve got nothing better to do”. But if you stand your ground he will in time figure out that barking is not the way to get what he wants.
But how about in other situations where it isn’t simply a matter of the dog bullying you to get his way? If you want to communicate to them that they are to stop barking and be quiet, the most effective thing you can do is to use your hands. No, I’m not saying hit your dog! But I’m suggesting a perfectly humane and pain-free method of demonstrating to them that what you require right now is peace and quiet. When your dog is barking, first give him a few seconds to get it out of his system (it’s kinder, and a lot more effective, to give him a brief opportunity to express himself before asking him to be quiet). After a few seconds if he doesn’t calm down on his own, reach over and gently but firmly clasp his muzzle in your hand. He will try to pull away or shake you off, so grab his collar with your other hand to give you more control. This method works for two reasons: First, it effectively stops the barking and secondly, it establishes your authority. You are showing him through direct physical action that you’re a kind, but firm leader who won’t put up with his unwanted behavior. Continue holding his muzzle and collar until he has stopped trying to break free: only when he calms down and stops wriggling does it mean that he has accepted your authority. When he’s still, hold on for one or two more seconds and then let go and praise him for being quiet,
There are also several important things that you can to do to reduce your dog’s need to bark in the first place. The number-one reason for unnecessary barking (barking that is repetitive and is directed at nothing) is nervous, energy. That is usually because they just aren’t getting enough exercise. Most dogs function best with about one and a half hours of exercise every day. Admittedly, that can be a major time commitment for you. Of course it varies from dog to dog, depending on things like breed, age, and health. You may think that your dog is getting as plenty of exercise, or at least as much as you can afford to give them, but if his barking is accompanied by an agitated demeanor (acting aggressively, restlessness, destructive behavior) then he almost certainly needs more. The solution to this problem is simple if not always convenient: you have to exercise your dog more. Try getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning. It can make a huge difference. If that just isn’t possible, consider hiring someone to walk him in the mornings and/or evenings. If that also is impossible, then you may have to resign yourself to having a frustrated, agitated and noisy dog. The second most common cause of excessive barking is loneliness. Dogs are social animals and need a lot of attention, interaction, and communication if they are to be calm and happy. If your dog is spending a good part of his day barking at what seems to be nothing, he is probably bored and lonely and the best remedy is a healthy dose of attention and affection.
If you would like more information on unwanted behaviors being exhibited by your dog you’ll probably be interested in taking a look at “Secrets to Dog Training”. It’s a complete, A-Z manual for responsible dog owners, and deals with recognizing, preventing, and dealing with just about every problem dog behavior. Click here to learn more about Secrets to Dog Training, the internet’s best selling dog training program.Or go here to sign up for a free 6 Day on-line Mini-course.
About the Author
Brett McGill has been a lifelong dog owner and currently lives in south Florida with his wife, 2 kids, one dog and a number of cats and parrots. He sells gemstones and jewelry through his website PalmBeachGems.com
Paul Pipitone Introduces and Teaches Dogs How to Use a Treadmill Part 1 of 2
Money making on the Internet does not have to be hard. Article marketing can help you make some extra cash now. This article will discuss article marketing techniques and how to apply them in order to make some fast money.
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About the Author
Gregory D. Loyd is an experienced Internet and affiliate marketer, offering his advice and recommendations on the inner workings of the industry.
german shepherd crate training if i get a new german shepherd puppy, it will be home all day by itself after summer ends.?
Should i crate train the puppy, or have it outside for the day. should i walk it in the morning, or the after noon? i have a large yard. i will be with the puppy a few hours every day.
Can I just ask why you plan to get a puppy right now if you know that you’re soon going to have very little time to interact with him/her?
Puppy Dog Crate Training For Obedience
For all pet dog lovers, puppy training and dog crate training is always close to the heart. They always treat them as if they are their human equals. It will be a joy to them to bring home a puppy or your favourite pet dogs. It always brings a lot of excitement and joy especially to the kids. Dog crate training is not always easy and you have to do it consistently otherwise it will not work the way you would like it. You may also need an air filled dog bed and a transport dog crates as well.
While for most people, pet dogs are an exciting addition to the household, just make sure not to rush when buying your favourite pet dogs or puppies. Dogs are living creatures and not just gifts that do not need any maintenance. Though it brings a lot of laughter and joy to the family dog crate training is not a walk in the park. Expect to put some effort and hard work if you want your puppy to be well behave and obedient.
Pet dogs are just like humans. And they too have own form temperament. Their temperament depends on their breed and birth place. So the first thing you need to understand is to get as much information about their breed and the type of personalities that those breeds has. This is what you need to properly train your pet puppy. Bulldogs, boxers, Rottweiler and German shepherds are guard dogs. Thus they are born with natural instincts to protect and love their human companions.
Pointer, Labradors and gun dogs are born and reared as hunting dogs so they are naturally energetic and almost always pump up. Border collies and bearded are herding animals and are bred and reared in the farmland. They are rather active and always curious about their surroundings. They not sit well as they always like to move around. Bringing these breeds of puppies to the cities may make them anxious and little bit scared or nervous of their new surroundings.
Training your pet dogs to be obedient needs time and effort. You also need a lot of patience and consistency on how you will train them. But do not worry too much as it often takes only a couple of weeks before it learns dog obedience. It will only take a few minutes per day to train them and that all it takes.
The first task to train your puppy is its obedience in simple commands like sit, come, heel, stay and fetch. These are very easy to follow and they should train in no time. A more bigger and older can move on to include more advance commands like pawing, rolling over and even playing dead or sleeping.
Anytime you want to do a dog crate training you will always need to train them too on an air filled dog bed and on a transport dog crates. Doing it when they still puppies would be easier than later when they bigger and older. But the most important thing is to be consistent.
german shepherd dog training how to train a German shepherd dog into a police dog ?
My cousin has a german shepherd dog that is 2 years old. he wants to train it to be a police dog any help?
Police dogs are planned before they are even born. They train from small puppies and are specifically chosen by the states specialized dog trainers.
German Shepherd Dog Training Tricks: Learn How to Train Your Dog The Right Way
Dogs can be such lovable and loyal companions. But unless you instill acceptable and unacceptable behaviors in them they can cause certain problems as well. Learning a few dog training tricks will help you greatly in making your pet not only a great companion but also a trustworthy partner that you will be able to count on, whether you’re there or not.
Dog training is not that difficult to start and complete. But it will need a couple of things in order to be successful. You will need ample time, patience, and consistency if you ever want to see results. The problem is that not many people have that today. So how do you get over these problems? Simple, with factual and relevant information.
Contrary to what most people tend to believe, training does not actually need to be an everyday thing. With proper planning you will be able to tailor your pets training sessions to your lifestyle no matter how busy you are and still get the same results. Sure it will take a bit more time as compared to daily training but nonetheless it will prove to be a one of a kind experience for you and your dog.
One of the best trick or tip that can be given in terms of training your German shepherd is training them as early as possible. Admittedly, training your pet as a pup won’t be such an easy feat to accomplish. At times things can get frustrating and even infuriating. This is why you need all of the patience and control that you can gather in order to prevent from becoming too doting or too strict.
Also, take into consideration that some of the things you will be teaching your pet, they will be able to master quickly while others can take time. Just don’t get too stressed about it, with perseverance, you will be able to achieve the results that you need without encountering too many problems.
You will surely be able to find lots of learning materials as well as tips and tricks off of the internet. But you’d have to remember that not everything will be effective. You will need information that will be factual, up to date, and have been tested by many others if you want to succeed in your endeavor. So be sure that you do the proper research first in order to obtain the right materials that you are looking for. So, take your time and don’t just rush into things in dog training tricks and tips.
german shepherd dvd I need a present idea.I want to buy a book or DVD from Amazon and my father loves German Shepherd.?
He doesnt need a pet guide but maybe a story book about a german shepherd or a good movie with a shepherd.
A calendar would be good. It would feature 12 different dogs and poses. He could enjoy it all year long. You could begin a new tradition.
Bad Dog Training Tricks – Training Tricks for Dogs and Owners
Training a dog in obedience is not a simple task when the dog’s owner has not received proper training himself. The majority of dog owners do not know how to train their dog and expect the animal to think like humans, which lead to quite a lot of disappointment. There are simple methods that can be learned by reading obedience training books or watching dog training DVDs in addition to attending dog training classes with a qualified dog trainer, dog and owner together.
The most important thing in training a dog is to use basic communication that the dog has learned to understand and obey. There are 5 basic commands which are the standard in the English language, that every dog should obey to: sit, down, stay, heel and come. The command words used are not important but consistency in their use is. The same words in Italian or Chinese will be understood by a dog that was trained in one or the other language.
The purpose of training a dog is to have the animal behave properly when around members of the family, invited strangers and other pets. It is recommended to begin training when the puppy arrives in its new home to correct unwanted dog behavior and teach discipline. Basic training classes with a professional trainer start with puppies of a least 3 to 6 months old, and before that time, the owner should prepare himself and read a few books on the subject.
Dog training is all about good communication between the owner and his dog. The dog has to understand and obey simple commands while the handler has to interpret the dog’s signals when it is nervous, excited, confused or happy. Obedience training is to train the dog, according to the owner’s perspective, what behaviors are good and which are bad.
There are four signals used by dog trainers to communicate with the dog:
- The reward signal for correct behavior, letting the dog know it has earned a reward. - The keep going signal for correct behavior, telling the dog it has to carry on in order to get a reward. - The no reward signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the dog to try something new. - The punishment signal for incorrect behavior, to tell the dog it has earned a punishment.
These signals can be sent with simple words or with a little mechanical clicker.
Obedience training is most of the time a short course of 6 to 10 weeks when the owner learns how to communicate and train his animal with a few basic commands. The German Shepherd or the Doberman Pinscher are easier to train than other breeds with a minimum amount of time but all dogs can eventually be trained, even the most difficult.
About the Author
Michel Gerard is a freelance author located in Asia. His expertise is wide and varied in a number of topics. Visit the Bad Dog Training Tricks website and stop your bad dog behavior right now => http://www.baddogtrainingtricks.com
german shepherd crate For the UK only. I need recommendations for a good quality dog bed suitable for a German Shepherd?
I know dogs have different preferences where they choose to sleep. My girl has (what I think) is a comfortable, warm crate thats not in a draughty area, and is certianly big enough for her size. By choice she seems to want to sleep on a hardwood floor by the side of her crate.
As she chooses not to use the crate, and I no longer need to “lock” her in there as she is clean and can be trusted around the house, I want to replace her crate with a good quality bed that is suitable for her breed. Any ideas, particularly from GSD owners.
My GSD sleeps on the bed with me when my husbands away, when he’s home the dog will either sleep at the side of our bed or on the landing, even though he has his blankets down stairs where he will rest on through the day. He just wants to be close.
“german Shepherd Puppy Training the Easy Way in 5 Simple Steps”
Let’s make it fun for you and the new member of your family…”Your beautiful German Shepherd Puppy”. Just follow the 5 simple and easy to apply steps listed below and you’ll have yourself a well balanced, loving and sociable dog in the future.
Step # 1: House Training.
Your little puppy is just like a little baby meaning he will want to relieve himself regularly, usually around every 45 minutes or so… Your puppy will want to go to the toilet after drinking, sleeping, playing and especially if he is excited.
After he’s had a drink take him outside and wait with him until he has done his business, he might go straight away or it could take some time, so be patient with him and try not to take him back in until he’s done his business. If you take him in to early and let him do the deed inside, he will form the habit of waiting to back in and that will not be good for either of you.
The same goes for sleeping. After his nap just go through the cycle above, if you are going to play with him and get him excited then the best place to do it is outside as he will pee without any warning at all. Through constant repetition always try to take him to a designated place to do his business so that he gets a feel for where he should go. Associating him to the outside as the place to go to the toilet will eventually become the norm for him and soon you will find that he will whine, bark or scratch at the door when he does need to go.
Step # 2: Socialization.
Any dog not properly socialized especially from a young age, becomes a liability to all he comes into contact with and it’s the owners duty of care to ensure that their dog is approachable and safe, not only for the dogs sake but for the owners and the general public also.
Socialization like all aspects of training is best done when the dog is young of around 12 weeks old. Socializing him is not difficult and can be fun for you and him. What we must not forget is that your dog, or any dog for that matter, no matter what the breed, essentially deep down, wants to be sociable as this offers him security.
It is imperative that he sees other humans as friends and not something he should be fearful of, so with that said, the easy way to socialize him would be to take him everywhere you go within the boundaries of limitation and let everyone you meet, touch, stroke and caress him…He’ll love the attention.
Socialization should be a pleasant experience for him and one great trick is to carry a bag of his favorite treats with you and when you introduce him to other people, hand them one of his treats for them to give to him, this way he becomes accustomed to other peoples hands and sees them as something not to be fearful of. Introduce him to other animals, being mindful that the other animals you introduce him to are fit and healthy…Do Not however try to introduce him to any dogs that are roaming free as an attack from such an animal will cause no amount of set backs.
Take him for long walks in the park, have other members of the family, friends and their children brush him and take him for walks. Take him regularly to have his nails clipped and his teeth cleaned. All this type of handling will ensure that you will have a well balanced dog in the future knowing that he has nothing to fear from humans and if he has nothing to fear from humans there is no need for him to go on the defense.
Step # 3: Nipping and Biting.
Puppies as part of their learning curve and socialization procedure instinctively will nip and bite, it forms part of their play time, communication and social standing, but does this make it okay for them to do it? Well yes and no! Puppies will nip and bite regardless, as it is part of their generic make up, which goes on to form their social standing within the group to which they are part of.
It is important that you establish who the boss is right away, now I don’t mean you do this in an aggressive manner, on the contrary, an affirmative NO while pointing your finger at him and making eye contact will be enough to get the message across. You should include members of your family and friends to take part also. Obviously you are not going to stop him nipping and biting at your first attempt, so repetition is the key here, so it may take a little time, patience will be your key to success on this one. If you don’t nip this one in the bud at the outset it will cause many problems down the road and he will not be a very nice dog to be around when he is older, he has to learn to play by the rules…Period.
Step # 4: Chewing.
The little blighters it seems will chew just about anything they can get their little razor sharp, needle-like teeth on. The new pair of slippers granny bought you last year has took on a whole new function. They are no longer there to keep your feet warm, oh no, they are there to be shaken, tossed, thrown around the room, torn and snarled at. What about the carpet you just had laid, those few protruding strands are just too much to resist.
But why do they do it? Well apart from it being fun, there are a number of other factors to take into consideration such as teething. It must be awful for them cutting their teeth and so relief comes in the form of chewing.
The solution for this would be to give them a variety of different toys of different shapes and textures to play with, these toys can be quite varied from hard and soft rubber bones and balls, an old shirt or skirt (buttons and zips taken off please), squeaky toys, your brand new slippers (just kidding) you just have to use your imagination and of course your common sense.
I have heard it suggested that a ball of rope would be useful, but in my opinion rope strands can be swallowed and could cause stomach or intestine problems not to mention give you a hefty vet bill? Common sense is the number one rule here.
Our aim in providing such toys is to create a diversion tactic from your clothing and furniture onto something that is okay for then to destroy. Most of the chewing will be done when you are out or in bed so just make sure there are plenty of other things for him to concentrate on by scattering his toys all over the place.
Step # 5: Barking.
Consistent and continual barking is socially unacceptable, so I will to give you a few tips here that should help you greatly to quell this behavior.
Lack of stimulation can play a big part in his continual barking, so are you spending enough time with him, does he have enough play things and does he receive enough exercise, what about his environment?
Puppies along with adult dogs can become quite lonely if you spend a lot of time away from them. They need interaction and stimulation. No one would like to shut up alone in a room all day or night or tethered to a pole with nothing to occupy the mind, it would be enough to drive you stir crazy and your dog is no different, so spend quality time with him. If he feels he’s had the attention he needs he will quite happily relax, sleep and occupy himself, but only if he has had some part of you during the day.
What about his play things are they stimulating enough or are they old, bland and boring, does he have enough, and are they of different shapes, sizes and textures, are they replaced often? I’m afraid only you can answer that one. Just make sure he’s got enough to occupy himself with when you are not around.
Are you tiring him out enough, do you take him for long walks, runs in the park or play ball with him? After a session with you does he come back panting gasping for a drink? Regular and consistent exercise is not only good for him; it’s good for you too. Good regular exercise is life changing for your dog and if you are consistent with it, you will have one happy bunny on your hands.
His environment can also play a big part in his continual barking, are there other dogs in your area that are continually barking if so, this could be a trigger for him to communicate with what is going on in the outside world, or is he being teased? Have a look and listen for any one or combination of factors; once you have recognized the problem, then you know there is something you can do about it. Have you changed house? A new location may be a little unsettling for him, in which case, you will need to take him out often until he becomes accustom with his new surroundings.
Consistency, perseverance, patience and gentle reinforcement are the key ingredients to having a well balanced obedient, well behaved dog. If that is the dog of your dreams then don’t blame or shame him, instead…Train Him.
Robert has spent many years in the conservation field and has travelled widely across Africa in pursuit of his love of all animals.
Having completed his new book “Parrots Are People Too” The Definitive Guide To Caring For Your African Grey Parrot, he is now working with other professionals in the animal sector to bring knowledge of how animals actually tick, especially in the dog world, in the hope that people will have a fuller understanding of their pets needs and the importance of having a well trained, well balanced dog, a dog that will be a pleasure to own…He stands solely by the philosophy that if this is to happen, then it is imperative that dog owners from all over the globe understand, that to have such a dog, one should not try to blame or shame him but instead…Train him.
www.puppy-n-dog-secrets.com/?hop=simo4
Nora and the german shepherd puppy in the crate together
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