WORST DAY EVER... Our dog

[bkreugar]

And I would add no I am NOT thrilled with dog, ended up with her against my better judgement, as DD wanted her SOOO bad. I feed dog and make dd give her water. DD runs with her occasionally. I spayed her and got her shots etc, as I knew it was responsible thing to do. We will keep dog until it is her time (and NEVER get another). I would be willing to give her up but am pretty sure not many (if any) would want a medium sized german Shepard. See people all the time trying to give away their puppies, kittens and dogs with not much success. I am aware that if I took her to pound she would probably be put to sleep. The life she has now is better than that.

Also when training dog with chickens (which took some doing) I had many a day I was done with her, and dd and DH were all for keeping her. She is NOT my favorite pet for sure, but I do take care of her.

 

[dainerra]

before this incident, a rescue might have been able to help you find a good home for the dog. Unfortunately, they can't help with a dog with a bite history due to liability issues.

How old is your daughter? Dogs have much more needs than just food/water/shelter. They are intelligent social animals, esp GSDs. They were created to have a 1-on-1 bond with their owner (often picking a "favorite" out of the family even). They need daily mental AND physical exercise. Like all intelligent breeds, they are quick learners. The downside of that is that if you don't give them something to do (even if that is only a daily obedience session), then they will find ways to keep themselves busy.

Honestly, for a dog with the emotional needs of a GSD euthanasia might almost be kinder than living her life alone on a chain. (ETA now that she has a bite history, rehoming her is pretty much out of the question. Depending on if AC decides to label her aggressive, there may also be large expenses involved with building a suitable containment kennel as well)

I'll use my boys daily activity as an example of how much work these guys are.

Morning, dogs wake me up for breakfast time. Go open the chicken coop while playing fetch with the dogs and waiting for them to potty. (20 mins approx)
let dogs cool down and then feed them breakfast.
Dogs are inside, access to fenced backyard through a doggie door while the family is at work.

Come home from work and let the dogs out to run.
do some quick obedience work before putting down food.
2X a week, do 1 hour of obedience with dogs
some nights go for a walk (about 4 miles) and then play more fetch and light obedience.
other nights are free play or 3 ball chuck-it. this covers about 45mins+ of top speed running and racing around the yard.

The rest of their time, the dogs are in the house with the family. Dogs lay quietly around the house, just hanging out.

On a regular basis, we also attend rally trials. Dogs go on trips out in "public" at least once a week.

 

[bkreugar]

DD is 13. Dog will be 3 in February. DD came home with her one day,as the neighbor up the road had found her beside road as a PUPPY in February. She pleaded, dh said it was ok. They had tried in past to get me to okay a dog. Dh always wants big dogs, doesn't like little dogs, yet does NOT want them in the house. SO I just KNEW I would get stuck Taking care of dog, and I have!!

Taking care of her is part of my morning routine, dd NEVER feeds her ever not even on weekends, a REAL bone of contention with me!!

Dog goes on trail rides with us ( a few times a month) and dd takes her running (a few times a month) and will throw her duck for her (a few times a month. Dog has become great at telling ME when something is not right with chickens. If she sees a hawk or a predator I can tell by her bark there is a problem. Goes nuts if another dog comes in yard. She is totally fine around chickens now. guess she considers them family. She IS dig aggresive.

She does run with us on the few 5ks we do, and she loves them and is of course well behaved after because she is tired.

I run at least 3 miles 5 days a week. DD and dh and friend say I should take dog with me, but she is a pain to run with, she can't make up her mind which side she wants to run on, and there ARE dogs on my running paths, even chained or in a fence she gets aggressive. I can pull her away from fence but not fun AND I always worry what if I am running and a loose dog comes to us. My daily run is MY time and I use it to sort stuff out, I just know I would not enjoy running with the dog.

DD would LOVE to do obedience classes with her, not sure dh would be okay with that.

I know a tired dog is a good dog, but not happy to have that ALSO become my responsibility. At 13 DD is prickly and I I MAKE her water dog, mostly with resentment. SO there too would be another fight with dd, and at 13 I already have at least one fight a week with her.

 

[ChickiKat]

she needs to be trained as to which side she runs on, you should take her running with you...

 

[bkreugar]

UGH... So how does one handle that , she runs to left then changes mind to right side, and ~I~ worry one day I will wipe out on the concrete, because she can't make up her mind.

You fix that by Always kepping her to inside of road??? and just not letting her change her mind?? With a sharp NO and a tug??

 

[ChickiKat]

sounds like you should either take an obedience class with her or just teach her at home, she needs to learn to heal.... stay at your side and not switching back and forth...

 

[dainerra]

that is why obedience classes are so important - they are to teach the owner, not the dog!!

First, I would lay down the ground rules. Not meaning to be harsh, but the lack of care of this dog could very well cost her her life!!

The dog's needs MUST be met or the dog will need to be rehomed to a family that can provide the proper care. Sadly, this may now be impossible because there is now a bite history.

1) dog needs daily interaction and exercise. Not just a few minutes of fetch, but real physical and mental exercise.
2) obedience class must be started.
(Goes without saying that the whole family must be on board! esp since you didn't want the dog in the first place)
3) dog NEEDS to come in the house and be part of the family. If this is absolutely a deal breaker, at a bare MINIMUM she needs a secure fenced run. (believe me, bringing the dog inside is easier and better in the long run)
4) dog is properly socialized after she has been taught some basic manners

At a minimum, check out some books on basic dog training from the local library. Start from square one as if she was an 8wk old puppy.

 

[ChickiKat]

Quote:
***I agree will all of the above. And especially a GS, they are such wonderfully smart dogs. They want to belong to the family. They want to play with you and protect you. I know you are busy with everything, but if you would teach your dog the rules, she will become a wonderful asset to you.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

It is very rewarding to train your dog. The dog will love it and chances are so will you. It will help your relationship with your dog. When training your dog to walk beside you, it is a good idea to use a wall. Have the wall on the other side of your dog. Your dog will learn to stay beside you. Your dog should always be on your left side when walking. Maybe put a muzzle on your dog when you two go running. That way if another dog happens to get out in front of you two, you don't have to worry about her biting them. I suggest looking up videos on youtube and checking out the show "Its me or the dog" on TV.
I have been working on training my border collie. It can be very fun! Start with the basic tricks, sit, stay, paw, down ect. You will be surprised how fun it is. Also, look at Kikopups channel on youtube. She has some very good training videos there.
Good Luck.

 

[ChickiKat]

Plus, everyone will love it that your dog is so well trained. Throw in some tricks too!!!