Need help with this puppy.

[Lothiriel]

Quote:
Yep, setting it up tomorrow.

You have two very knowledgeable people here helping you: Red and Jamie. I would listen to them both, this is what they do.

Yeah, I'm very glad they came on board here and shared their knowledge. Anything else you guys want to share, I'm all ears! (Well, I suppose online it would be eyes.

)

Did you find a new trainer?

Not yet. The one we had out last time was really the only one in our area, and she had reasonable rates as well. I want to find an obedience class nearby that also has reasonable rates... There's one place just over the hill but their sign says it's for Airedale Terriers. I'm not sure if they accept other breeds or not. I should find their number. I've also heard of a woman in a nearby town that does sheepdog trials -- I was thinking of contacting her and seeing if she does training sessions or whatnot.

And thank you all for your comments on Riley's adorability.

Everywhere he's gone people have gushed about how gorgeous he is, how handsome, etc.

 

[dainerra]

check to see if there is a local AKC kennel club in your area. They have great rates on obedience classes, plus lots of knowledgeable people to offer advice and hands-on help.

For my $10 a year membership (plus volunteer duties) I am getting free obedience lessons and free conformation lessons. They only offer the free classes in the run up to shows that a certain number of members are going to enter, but there are reduced rates for members all year long.

 

[FourPawz]

Hang in there. As long as you follow the advice given by the trainers on here (and keep away from alpha rolls), you'll end up with a good dog. But he's a herding puppy, so he may not settle down for a couple of years. GSDs bite a lot as puppies. One thing to do is to point the pup toward a good sized toy (one made of fleece is great) if he's biting at you. He will start teething soon if he hasn't already, so he's going to want to chew. Give him ample opportunities to do so on something besides human body parts.

Get 2 toys, preferably identical. Teach him to "trade" you for the one he has. Instead of taking it from him, take the other one and wag it in front of him, moving it in such a way he can't resist it. When he drops his, praise the heck out of him and immediately give him the other. He'll learn that if he lets you have his toy, he'll get something better. The main thing you want to do is to avoid struggling with him to get a toy back or worse, having to chase him. All this should be done on a long line. You're teaching cooperation and willingness to release an object to you. This is a foundation to retrieving and it also works to keep possessiveness from causing problems down the road.