formydog Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I'm now the proud owner of the third GSD in my lifetime. Both my last two dogs lived to ripe old ages before passing on and its been about 5 yrs since I last had a dog. The new house member is a 12 week old bitch. We have had her just over a week and she has laid out two novel challenges for me. First I've always insisted that the dogs stay in their bed (bed not crate) whilst we are eating, in the past this has been a simple task with some treats in the bed and the corner of an eye on their bed in case they move. Our new pup has none of this and jumps out continually. I've resided to fastening her outside whilst we eat. This means shes the other side of a glass door and visible both ways. She still protests, but I was worried about mixed signals going backwards and forwards from table to bed everytime she jumped out. Any suggested approaches? I'd love to get her to stay in bed, and hate fastening dogs outside even for a short while. Second she is occasionally barking at me when given commands (keep out of specific rooms or 'bed' as above). All seems playfull/frustration. Each time I'm pretty much standing tall to her, not speaking to her and she soon 'downs' and stops barking, at which point I'm giving her praise (i.e. when she has calmed). Any other suggestions/is the approach reasonable? She does not react this way to any other family member, and I'm the one who has been feeding/training/toileting and playing through the day with her. Other than that she is a smart and willing and calm (for a pup). I'm also wondering about some crating, she is pretty much toilet trained, but I want to use a crate in the car for safety when I take her out in it. Should I replace her bed with a crate or keep the bed and the crate as seperate things? Sorry for the essay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 you have had her a week and are expecting way too much. when you are eating put her out of sight or in a crate and ignore her until you are well and truely finished. As for the barking she could be frustrated or just a higher drive and wanting to vocalise. She wont know most of the commands, you are probably talking at her more then showing her so she 'talks' back and bows because she has no idea whats going on ... as with dogs if in doubt they just make something up, its just a game for her. give her time, use a crate they are a wonderful invention all my dogs have always been crate trained. The great thing is wherever the crate goes the dog is happy and secure with their 'bedroom' coming with them. I use the crates as beds not two separate things :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hello & welcome to Dol. It takes time for a puppy to get used to being away from all she knows & to get used to the rules of a new home. A good website to find out lots of info on dogs & puppies is www.dogstardaily.com Puppy preschool is a good idea for socialisation as all puppies are in the same boat as to vaccinations & it keeps them in touch with other puppies where in the past they were kept home until 3-4 mths old & miss the criticle period of socialisation. My young dog who I've had for just over a year is the 1st dog I've used a crate for. She travels in the car in it & when we are visiting shows etc. I used to put her in it at night & after a couple of weeks started making a big fuss to get out. I was willing to let her go but the workers in my family weren't happy with the noise. I eventually gave up & she now sleeps happily in her bed in her 'room' with our other dog. When I have the crate in the house with the door open she will go in there by herself for a nap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formydog Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Thanks for the welcome. Yes Puppy pre-school is on the books for us. Should be starting next week. Especially has she has three weeks until her 3 vaccination, and I guess about 10 days after that before she can go out. Hello & welcome to Dol. It takes time for a puppy to get used to being away from all she knows & to get used to the rules of a new home. A good website to find out lots of info on dogs & puppies is www.dogstardaily.comPuppy preschool is a good idea for socialisation as all puppies are in the same boat as to vaccinations & it keeps them in touch with other puppies where in the past they were kept home until 3-4 mths old & miss the criticle period of socialisation. My young dog who I've had for just over a year is the 1st dog I've used a crate for. She travels in the car in it & when we are visiting shows etc. I used to put her in it at night & after a couple of weeks started making a big fuss to get out. I was willing to let her go but the workers in my family weren't happy with the noise. I eventually gave up & she now sleeps happily in her bed in her 'room' with our other dog. When I have the crate in the house with the door open she will go in there by herself for a nap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I agree its only been a week you need to have more realistic expectations . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the welcome.Yes Puppy pre-school is on the books for us. Should be starting next week. Especially has she has three weeks until her 3 vaccination, and I guess about 10 days after that before she can go out. I used to take Tilba out b4 she had her 3rd vac but carried her. Towards the end she was getting rather heavy so I guess with a shephard pup that would be difficult. I was told she would have been ok after her 2nd vac but I didn't want to take chances. You could visit ppl with vac, friendly dogs in the mean time. I would ask your vet to make sure. We have puppies start at my obedience club with 2 vac & their vets have said its alright. Other vets advise to wait until vac course is finished. It all depends on what they see with pups with bad temperaments due to undersocialisation. Edited July 1, 2009 by luvsdogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formydog Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Tonight she laid without fuss outside while we ate She is starting to 'bed' on command but am keeping the 'stay out of our way while we eat' and 'bed' separate until she is 100% at both. I think she is much more food orientated than our last two GSD, which is proving an advantage for other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all that glitters Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 My GSD is OVERLY food oriented, lol. Oh my, what she'd do for a piece of her kibble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formydog Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 For an update: We got her a crate and this is in the main 'family area'. Shes done much better using the crate, and goes in there of her own accord when shes had too much of he kids. We only close the door at night and when we go out she seems much more settled having an area all of her own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 For an update:We got her a crate and this is in the main 'family area'. Shes done much better using the crate, and goes in there of her own accord when shes had too much of he kids. We only close the door at night and when we go out she seems much more settled having an area all of her own Glad to hear she likes her crate, have you started puppy pre school yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White_Shadow Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I was going to reply to your original post saying that she is testing the boundaries, seeing if you are a good leader or not - It's important for her to see you as her leader from the start, you must remain calm & assertive all while applying 'correction'(not harming her) as soon a she start any 'symptoms' of challenging you (you can see by the excitement in her face), or a simple move while she is on her bed, not once she is at the table, needs practice, sit at the table after ordering her to go to her bed & go & sit a the table & watch her, the second she moves correct her (by making a noise that send her in a submissive state)...crating her will keep her away for sure BUT will not make her learn to listen to you like you want her too. I believe that dogs can learn from an early stage so long that they know where there place is in the pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White_Shadow Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Also, welcome to the forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanne76 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I have never used crates in the past with my puppies but since become a foster carer of kittens i now own a couple of crates. I am now caring for 2 nine week old pups and thought i would try them in the crate. Its amazing how quickly they recognise this as "their" space they run in when frightened by something or when they are tired and they eat in there too. From now on I will crate all Puppies wether they be my own or fosters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formydog Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Yes have never used a crate before. But thinking back both GSD I have had in the past have had a confined area of sorts. The first had the top of the stairs with a child gate on. The second was spoilt and had a small bedroom of his own. Makes sense now. The whole house is less stressful now she has space of her own and we have somewhere to make her safe when we are bringing shopping in or getting kids ready for bed. Start the puppy pre-school next week, so looking forward to introducing her to more people and dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all that glitters Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 All the best with your GSD girl, formydog! My GSD girl is 5 months old next week and so far she has been an amazing puppy, I think I have asserted my leadership quite well because I don't seem to have many challenges from her (yet? lol) and our only issue with her so far is her jumping up on benchtops and tables to "have a look". No matter how consistent we are in disciplining her when she does, she still does it. So.. we're still working on that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White_Shadow Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 All the best with your GSD girl, formydog! My GSD girl is 5 months old next week and so far she has been an amazing puppy, I think I have asserted my leadership quite well because I don't seem to have many challenges from her (yet? lol) and our only issue with her so far is her jumping up on benchtops and tables to "have a look". No matter how consistent we are in disciplining her when she does, she still does it. So.. we're still working on that! I thought that only cats did that lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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