wyvernblade Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 We currently have a 6 month old GSD who has some fear agression issues. We've had a trainer out to give us some tips in regards to training him, distraction work etc. He's my husbands dog and I am looking at getting my own dog to compete with in obedeince and agility. We are moving in a few weeks time and at the new house we have proper concreted dog runs etc set up which would make it easier having more than one (We also have two little ones at home too!) ANYWAY my question is. How do I introduce a pup to the family without giving the pup a fright and having ANOTHER fear aggressive dog on our hands! My thoughts so far have been 1. Do not get another puppy for a couple of months until we've had a chance to work with our boy solidly at home and at training for awhile. 2. Introduce somewhere neutral and don't have it as an 'introduction' as such, just work our GSD in the vicinty of the puppy and gauge reactions. 3. Keep puppy living inside for awhile and takes him absolutely everywhere so our GSD isn't the main dog he's dealing/living with. 4. Keep them at opposite ends of the dog runs so puppy can't see older dog if he does decide to go off at him? What does everyone think? I know that getting another pup is going to be hard work with the probelms we have with our boy, and I desperatley don't want to give puppy a fright, but I'd love to have a dog to compete with. So suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted December 13, 2005 Share Posted December 13, 2005 what situations is your dog in when he gets upset? in answer to your question though I think you need to work out your problem with the GSD pup before getting another pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 The GSD gets upset at everything! Cows, Horses, cats, other dogs etc etc. He has been like it since we bought him, i.e he LAUNCHED at our yorkie the first time he saw him! He just barks constantly around other dogs, I don't think he would actually attack them, we had a Golden Retriever visit from our next door neighbours and our dog took off when he saw it. It's a problem that may never be fixed 100% tho so I am just going to have to be careful when we introduce puppy.Which is why I'd like some suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K9Pro Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 K9: your current dog is only six months old, your dogs temperament is not yet solid & much can be done to correct this problem. My advice would be not to get another dog, not because I dont think they can get along, but because you need to put work into your current dog. Dont for a second rest with the excuse "it cant be helped", this isnt true. Take a look here here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 Yes I've read that story before, it's brilliant! I had Erny come out and assess our boy and I don't for a second think he's a lost cause! He shows very natural drive which we have started working him in and he basically needs to be taught some manners as my hubby has done next to nothing with him! But I think once leadership is firmly established and he puts some effort into working with him, he will honestly be fine. We have had shepherds before but I have always been principle trainer and the dogs respected me. Thie time round Hubby wanted dog to be 'his' so he doesn't want me to do anything with him. i.e I'm not allowed to feed him or do any training with him etc. (MEN!!!! Sorry, nothing against you, just some of them! LOL) I'm DESPERATE to compete in obedience again. I lost my bullmastiff cross two years ago now and am ready to replace him. I'm doing the NDTF course next year and am joining ADT (Firstly for our current dog if hubby is interested-he currently attends the shepherd club, and then for my puppy when I can get one) I am happy to wait for a puppy if that's what the general consenus is tho, as I want to do all the right things with new puppy so we don't go through all this again! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K9Pro Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 W: I had Erny come out and assess our boy and I don't for a second think he's a lost cause! K9: well your in good hands, the picture has become more clear now. thanks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Wyvern maybe its time to give hubby an ultimatum... get off your butt and start doing something with "your" dog or you'll be taking over. Its the puppy that's paying the price for his lack of action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Hi W I replied to your email, just now. As per it, I'd suggest you wait .... give it some time working with the GSD both over Christmas and then at ADT. See how things go. I expect you'll see some good results. Also, as you'll find you're quite busy with the NDTF Course as well, why not wait until that's completed? That way you'll be able to apply the knowledge you've gained from that to assist you with your judgements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne_Fury Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 W: I had Erny come out and assess our boy and I don't for a second think he's a lost cause! K9: well your in good hands, the picture has become more clear now. thanks.. Second the motion! Erny is wonderful You can't go wrong with Erny helping out :D Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 I agree!!!!! What annoys me the MOST is that he had wanted another shepherd for AGES and I said that if we bought another one he had to do all the right things, socialising, training, taking it to work with him etc, basically making it part of the family. I've done alot of research into dog behaviour etc (Books everywhere at home!) and I KNOW how important it is to establish your dog in your pack heirachy and to keep an active working dog like a GSD busy! So he agreed and I bought him a puppy as a present. NOW the poor dog is lucky to have him spend 10 minutes a week with him, I walk him etc and play with him but nothing else (Apart from making him sit before he gets patted) so it makes me so mad that now he does have this problem hubby doesn't want to do anything (Too embarrasing for him at the club to have his dog going off at everyone) GRRRRRR So now it also looks like my puppy plans will have to be put on the back burner too. The way it's going I will take this boy over and start training him, orrrrr try and get hubby interested in doing it himself! Erny could tell that hubby had switched off halfway through her visit, information overload I think! Sigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Ah well, many people who've only been around trained dogs have no idea how much a pup needs to be taught. If you take over, gee you will learn so much with this dog - having to deal with a dog with issues is a real education and you'll be a better trainer for it. Those people who've never had a training challenge have no idea of how much effort and how much reward comes from working with such dogs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 so very true! He also doesn't understand how thrilled he'd be if he actually got this dog to work with him and do well, there's nothing like that feeling anywhere else on earth I think! It's my birthday in a few weeks time which is why I was thinking about the puppy now..................................But I am more than happy to wait, it's got to be about the dog this time round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne_Fury Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 Maybe instead of getting another puppy you could just take over hubbys pup work on his issues etc. what is to stop a GSD competing in agility? If he likes it go for it when he is older Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 Thanks everyone for their input. I have contacted the puppy buyers I was interested in and told them I'll have to wait another 6 months or so.(I was up front with them and told them we had a dog with agression problems at home and that I'd have to contact a few people and get their opinion before I committed to buy a pup) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 good for you and good luck with sorting out your problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 K9 and CF .... thank you for your kind comments. :rolleyes: W - good for you for showing alot of common sense both with your current dog (GSD) and with your plans for a future pup. I agree with the comment by Poodlefan ... working with a dog with issues, with supervision, is a great learning curve (I've been there!) that will stand you in good stead .. not just with other problematic dogs you might end up working with (not particularly your own) but also with "no problem" dogs. It simply gives you a considerably deeper understanding of why you do the things you do and how it impacts on the dogs. Also, I think you'd get a buzz from the additional challenge. We'll (ie you and me) will be in touch again in the not too distant future to discuss "next steps" ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 Well actually got my hubby out this arvo to do some training with the boy! YAY! I've told him he just needs to do 5 to 10 minutes a day and he'll notice an improvement! Mind you he's going to a bike show on the weekend, so I'll have to take him to training.....................BUT it's a start and I'm very pleased with both of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 And another picture, practising his stay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyvernblade Posted December 14, 2005 Author Share Posted December 14, 2005 And thanks Erny! I'll stay in touch don't you worry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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