Czara

I've always taught my dogs to keep off the road by making them sit at the kerb first whenever we cross and wait for the command to cross. I'm consistent in this - never let them wander around on the road, whether with me or alone. If you walk your dog on the road, and let it run around out there when you are not home, then buckley's hope for you, I'm afraid! Poor dog!

Probably hot!

I don't know what "WL's" and "SL's" are, but my dog (GSD) does exactly what she is bred for: great versatile all-round intelligent, loyal, energetic, steadfast, courageous companion, friend, guardian, obedience, family dog. Don't know what all the flack is about, but there is nothing like a good ol' fashioned German Shepherd Dog!!!

I think as a general rule, puppies are somewhat more unruly than adult dogs

To me, my my dogs have always been part of the family. I would never consider putting grandma down!!!

Looks like GSD cross, with possibly a few X bits (maybe kelpie, lab) mixed in! Nice looking dog, though ;)

One thing I never knew before getting my first dog, was how much time, energy, and just how much of my life they would take up! I'm not complaining, it's great, just something to be aware of before making the commitment The other thing, is that dogs and dog breeds are so very different, and how important it is to choose a compatible one with your personality and lifestyle (not just now, but what you expect in the next 10 years). You are doing the right thing, exploring and learning before making an informed decision.

Greymate, my posts are based on my personal experiences with dogs over many decades. Not sure what your "opinions' are based on. Yep - personal insults ARE personal happy new year, and have a good life to you too

Dogs, like children, are spoilt rotten these days, and we are not being "kind" or doing either of them any good service by letting them run a muck out of control! Fashions have changed, from repressive to permissive, with failure both ways - from one extreme to the other. The middle way still works best: kind but firm True "experts" can be judged by the pudding, not just by how loudly they vocalise, nor how many hours they spend cultivating vitual friends online

I would suggest keep her under control (ie on-lead) while you go out of your way to introduce her/socialise her with other dogs. Correct any antisocial behaviour firmly, and lots of praise/reward for being good. Small steps with lots of patience and time. It worked wonderfully with my (rescue) dog - she was 11 months and not well socialised when I got her, but 4 months later is happy, well-adjusted and with many doggy mates that she could (eventually) happily romp off-lead with. Despite all the various fashions of the day, it's very simple really: positive and negative reinforcement to shape bahaviour

I worry who you're spouting this kind of mis-information too. I'm sorry but you don't have enough education of animal behavioural science from that comment. Ditto, I also worry about some of the the very opinionated people on this forum, and who their mis-information is being promulgated to. Forums are an avenue for airing differences of opinion. I wonder, since we've never met, what you are basing your personal insults on?

Having found a good home after what she had been through (pound, shelter and breed rescue), my dog was (very understandably!) quite anxious to be separated from me at the beginning. Although taking time off to settle her in, I made a point from early on of leaving for short periods of time to get her used to eventually longer absences. The poor thing threw up the first time I left! But after a couple of months she got used to the idea that this was her home now, that I would always come back and feed her, walk her and give her whatever she needs. A lamb shank helps to get over the first half hour! I think it's perfectly understandable that dogs who have been neglected or traumatised are afraid to lose their new found leader. They need to build up their sense of security and confidence in their new home. It only took a couple of months for my girl. She is very happy, secure and contented now! Other people I know who adopted dogs likewise found separation anxiety disappeared a few months after the dogs settled in. Nothing 'genetic' about it, easily cured with common sense and TLC, and no need for 'doggy shrinks' or complex theories! ;)

When is it OK to kick a dog? Never.

Yep, open flaps makes yours a den I guess ;)

Food reinforcement is useful in conditioning puppies to the stimulus/response, but should be gradually phased out, as it does not produce reliable service in a dog. Training a dog to be obedient does not rely on "what the dog is interested in", but teaches a dog to obey (no matter what else they are interested in). Needing more tasty morsels to keep a dog "interested" is not what I would call obedience training. But each to their own (I thought Huskies had strong pack instincts, so should be quite motivated to please the leader rather than be waited on??)

Dens have opening, through which creatures can come out to stretch their legs or relieve themselves. Cages have bars - all locked, keeping them imprisoned. There is a difference

At the risk of getting slammed by all the regular bloggers, "crating" is a fairly recent fad. For thousands of years people have succesfully housetrained their dogs the traditional way, which is what I still do (very successfully without any dramas.) I think keeping a dog in a small cage is very cruel. My personal view. Obviously contary to many on these forums

Unless your dog isn't motivated by praise :p Bribes work unless your dog would rather do something else than eat

Praise

I don't know that you could reliably teach your dog not to jump fences while she is at someone else's house. You need to do something. Perhaps the plasic roll out trellis stuff attached on top of the fence might be cheaper and more temporary that wooden fence extensions? Otherwise you'll need to make some sort of secure enclosure. Be careful - if she gets out and tries to go home, she may get lost!

Seita I never had any problem with scent discrimination with my german shepherds, even though I had a leather lead that sometimes I would tie up and "lose" during our walks to practice seekback. I'm wondering whether it might be something to do with the praise you give for the wood and metal articles, particularly the metal. Being a more unnatural and difficult exercise, perhaps you give more praise for retrieving these? So perhaps the dog might be thinking it gets more brownie points for bringing back the metal? Maybe I'm wrong, but just a thought worth considering

Could he be feeling left out/shut out/outcast from the pack? Especially after a baby. Perhaps doing it inside is his way of trying to mark that he belongs. Maybe try giving him more attention and including him more in the family. Dogs can sense the hostility and he might feel insecure whether he actually belongs.

Your dog has a keen nose, and (presuming the room was dark where your son was sleeping), probably thought someone was on his bed. Astute, not wierd?