Help! Out Of Control German Shepherd

[MrsD]

1. Desex the dog

2. Make yourself pack leader & get your dog's respect.

3. Commit to spending 4 or 5 sessions of 10 or 15 mins per day training the dog - this is the mental stimulation he needs. This is on top of the physical exercise he also needs.

4. If the dog doesnt obey when you ask it to do something, be in a position to make it do what you asked. Obedience is not about whether the dog wants to do something or not. This is linked to the pack leader issue.

5. Start spending some time with the dog instead of having him locked outside (no matter how big your yard is!). He is obviously the type that needs the stimulation. Why do you think he hurls himself at the glass door when you are inside & he's not? He wants to be with you! Spend time with him playing with him as well as training & teach him respect.

6. For the dog's sake, never ever ever tie the dog up on a check chain or one day you will come back to a dead dog.

7. Give the dog something to do whilst you arent able to spend time with him. Either get him some toys to keep him occupied (things like kongs & chew toys are good) or a large marrow bone to keep him occupied. The reason the dog chews everything is because he is still really a puppy & is bored stiff!

Your problems stem from very basic problems, if you have owned dogs before you surely should know things like how to make yourself leader etc, if you dont then get professional help or read up some books by well known & respected authors. If you arent willing or able to do all of the above things, rehome the dog.

Sorry if you don't think my answers are nice , sometimes truth hurts.

Edited January 27, 2007 by MrsD

[Net]

I have met quite a few people who have out of control German Shepherds, whether its running away, biting, or barking etc. These people were in the suburbs and the dogs probably didn't get enough exercise. We had a German Shepherd and I took him to training which helped. One thing which calmed my dog down was after going for a long walk. I know its difficult for you as I also found it a full on job. I agree that getting him desexed will help.

What exactly is a check chain? Is that the same as a choker chain?

Anyway, since you are not in the suburbs you can let him run around loose, he wouldn't need tying up ??

Another suggestion, maybe get him a companion, so the two dogs can keep eachother company and won't get so lonely or bored when you are at work.

Good luck!!

[poodlefan]

Sounds like the type of dog more than one law enforcment agency would like to take a look at.

Nothing short of a complete change of attitude will solve your problems. If you cant' spend more time with the dog training and exercising him, then rehoming may be a viable option. Police forces prefer their dogs entire.

Jumping on you, pulling on the lead etc are all due to lack of training. The barking, pulling washing off the line etc are classic symptoms of boredom.

You bought a dog that needs a day job.

Have a search on the term "barrier aggression" in relation to dogs. Chaining dogs ramps up their behaviour, it doesn't cure it. So many fatal dog attacks have been carried out by chained dogs that there is a movement in the USA to ban the practice.

[Tapferhund]

Bullygirl

Sorry I don't mean to offend but I am shocked from reading your original post. I can't believe, as a dog person (Bullies) that you would think that chaining and muzzleing that poor dog of yours would teach him to behave.(?)

He is a dog NOT a human that you "put in the corner" for unwanted behaviour, so I suggest you start looking at life from HIS 'canine'point of view and stop thinking that he understands "human"

This dog of yours is a highly intelligent working dog and is obviously frustrated to hell because YOU do NOT understand him.....you are exercising his body(which is great) but his brain needs exercising too in lots of mental stimulation.....WORK ! For him , obviously teaching him to sit,drop and shake hands is not enough.

I see that you are in NSW, so why don't you get in touch with K9 Force who is considered one of the best Trainers/behaviourists in the country.

I am sure someone here has his address(email and website).

The only other suggestion I can make is to have the NSW Police look at him.......he may be suitable for them and they will work him,giving that brain of his a purpose in life.

I hope you haven't taken offence at all this but as a Shepherd person I really feel for your dog.

Whatever course of action you take, I hope it works out for the both of you !

[Kavik]

On a lighter note my GSD is crashed out in front of the TV as we watch Inspector Rex . . .

[kamuzz]

Hi Bullygirl

Sounds like you and your dog have worked yourselves into an unpleasant situation for both of you.

Maybe you need to have a long think about whether it would be best for everyone if your dog was rehomed. Sometimes this is the best alternative, although it is very hard to do. (

If you decide that you'll keep him then desexing certainly is a good idea.

Steve from K9 Force offers phone consults and "distance education".

Good luck.

[Bullygirl]

Ok, I'm back from the dog walking as my pregnant feet can't take anymore today (No, the neglected GSD is not back, he is still out with hubby)!

Where do I start.... I CAN'T GET THE QUOTE THING TO WORK!

I gather this dog isnt allowed in the house??

Yep, he is allowed in. He stays calm on a mat in the loungeroom each night for about 2 minutes. Then, all hell breaks loose. He starts running around and around the house in circles, jumping on lounges, taking things like remotes, shoes, cushions, toys etc then jumps on the door to get back out?????

Have you contacted the breeder & asked there advice or dsicussed the issues your having??If so what did they say.

Yep, breeder said "He was the alpha puppy, I always knew he would be full on."

As the dog is out of control at the moment, please ensure he is kept away from baby when baby arrives

Will do. I don't believe in dogs and babies being together. My 3 year old can't go near him as he jumps on her. It's not worth the risk.

Sounds like your tyipcal teenage male GSD

That is also something the breeder said.

I would strongly recommend you take a day to see Steve (K9 Force). It will be well worth your while.

I looked up his web site and it sounds like a great idea to go see him with the dog. He is minimum 10 hours from me so it would be a massive trip but worth it by the sounds of things. Certainly something I will be looking in to.

Start spending some time with the dog instead of having him locked outside (no matter how big your yard is!).

We spend time with him during the day too. Husband and I are both shift workers who work alternate shifts so there is always someone here day and night. If we are not here, my Mum is. She spends time with him too playing ball, hosing him(loves the hose) lol! . During the day he has sand pit which is just his alone (not my daughters). He digs in that and buries his toys. He has a clam shell which is filled with water and he lays and splashes in that. He is seperated from our old dog but he gets to play with the hyper lab that is next door almost every day. They let the lab into our yard and he goes into their yard to play as they do work full time day shift and their dog gets bored.

For the dog's sake, never ever ever tie the dog up on a check chain or one day you will come back to a dead dog.

Like I said before, he has been on a chain for a max of 5 minutes and this is only something we have tried. It is not something that has been happening for the past 17 months. I reckon we have been trying that one for about the last 2 weeks. Someone we asked suggested that punishment for barking, like chaining up for a short period or locking up for a short period might stop the barking. It didn't work, that is why I am on here asking for help. It is not a practice I will continue to do, it is just something that was suggested, I tried it, it didn't work. I'm no dog trainer, I don't know these things. And he was in eye sight the whole time he was chained. We didn't leave him without being able to see him for fear that he would hurt himself. We are far from cruel people.

Anyway, since you are not in the suburbs you can let him run around loose, he wouldn't need tying up ??

He was only tied as a trial as stated above. He was never left like that. He has acres to run loose on, fully fenced during the day.

What exactly is a check chain? Is that the same as a choker chain?

Yep it is.

large marrow bone to keep him occupied

He gets plenty of bones. Loves them but buries them in his sand pit after about 2 minutes of chewing.

If you arent willing or able to do all of the above things, rehome the dog.

If I was not willing to do anything to have a great family pet, I wouldn't be here on this site and the dog wouldn't have lasted 17 months! (Oh sorry, got him at 10 weeks so less than 17 months). Rehoming is not an option that I like. I don't get dogs to dispose of them because they don't work out. I don't believe animals are disposable because you don't like them anymore. The problem is not that I'm not willing to help the dog, it is that I have no idea what I am doing with him. That is why I asked for suggestions! I'm not used to owning such a full on dog. I've never had a dog that was ill behaved, its all new to me. I've never lived far away from help either so this is something new too.

If you cant' spend more time with the dog training and exercising him, then rehoming may be a viable option.

How does anyone go to work and run a family if they have to spend 24/7 with the dog! I know now that getting a German Shepherd was obviously a massive mistake for me as I obviously don't have enough time to spend with him. I was honestly of the belief that an hour and a half a day walking would be enough, along with the tid bits of trying to train him and the games during the day of ball etc. He also runs free all day. I didn't know they required more than that. I honestly don't know how any of the other GSD owners spend so much time with their dogs! Sounds like I need to be unemployed and have no family to do so! (I mean that in a nice way, no offence to anyone unemployed etc).

I can't believe, as a dog person (Bullies) that you would think that chaining and muzzleing that poor dog of yours would teach him to behave.(?)

That was just a suggestion and when you are at your wits end, you will try anything to stop the barking. Like I said above, it hasn't been going on his whole life. It was something I was told MIGHT work. I'm new to this breed. My Bullies have all been angels. I've been very lucky. I've never had a full on dog before. This happened for minutes at a time, not hours!

Sorry I don't mean to offend but I am shocked from reading your original post

No offence taken. I understand I'm hopeless with him, there is no denying it!

obviously frustrated to hell because YOU do NOT understand him...

Yep, I don't understand him. That is why I'm asking for help!

On a lighter note my GSD is crashed out in front of the TV as we watch Inspector Rex

Nice! My old Bully is inside watching TV.... GSD is still out walking with hubby.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I will be contacting a training place soon and try to work out a solution. Looks like it will be a while spent away from home with the dog having us both trained. Actually, I'll have to send hubby, I'll have a new baby!

Edited January 27, 2007 by Bullygirl

[kamuzz]

Have you contacted the breeder & asked there advice or dsicussed the issues your having??If so what did they say.

Yep, breeder said "He was the alpha puppy, I always knew he would be full on."

If you cant' spend more time with the dog training and exercising him, then rehoming may be a viable option.

How does anyone go to work and run a family if they have to spend 24/7 with the dog! I know now that getting a German Shepherd was obviously a massive mistake for me as I obviously don't have enough time to spend with him. I was honestly of the belief that an hour and a half a day walking would be enough, along with the tid bits of trying to train him and the games during the day of ball etc. He also runs free all day. I didn't know they required more than that. I honestly don't know how any of the other GSD owners spend so much time with their dogs! Sounds like I need to be unemployed and have no family to do so! (I mean that in a nice way, no offence to anyone unemployed etc).

Arrgh - there's the problem. You got an alpha puppy. That's not your fault - the breeder should have known better.

My GSD came to us at 8 months from his breeder. We are at work all day, during the week. He gets walked 3 or 4 times a week, sleeps outside, and has another dog to play with plus usually a foster. And he is fine. But the breeder knew we needed a laid back GSD.

Good luck on your journey!

BTW I rehomed two of my dogs because we came to the conclusion it would be better for all concerned. Cordelia's helped me, we took our time finding the right homes and the dogs were definitely better off they had settled in their new homes. Don't feel bad thinking about this. It may be the best option for your boy. Maybe he'd love life as a police dog.....?

[Kavik]

Does Jasper sleep outside? It sounds like it from your posts.

Have you thought about crate training him? That way he can be inside at night and less likely to bark at things so you get some sleep. It also gives him his own space and I have found them invaluable as a place for them to 'chill out'. Mine all sleep in crates from when they are pups.

My Kelpie pup who is 10 months can be full on (which is what I wanted - I know I am crazy ) and having him crate trained gives him somewhere to go when he needs an enforced rest and means he can't destroy anything. He is snoozing in there now while we eat dinner, I am off to feed them soon.

[Kavik]

If he is REALLY keen on his food, a ball, or tug he would make a nice competition dog too

Diesel is the most laid back out of my bunch his food motivation is great at the moment but he is on pred for allergies right now . . .

Ooh can we have a few pics

[Tilly]

Take heart Bullygirl ... my GSD was a complete disobedient, destructive, willful dog until he was about 2 years old. Then one day he just seem to get it... He still has the occassional moment but he is a pleasure to own.

The big thing I found was I had to be very strict with him. When I went outside he was put on a lead and kept by my side. The lead gave me control over him and allowed me to re-enforce my commands.

If I was gardening or hanging out the washing he was put in a drop position. When he was quiet and calm he was rewarded with a small food treat and/or verbal praise.

He was never given a command twice - if he didn't immediately obey he was made to do it. If he moved from the sit or drop before he was released - he wasn't spoken too but put straight back in the position and ignored ... until I released him.

Any attention he got from me was on my terms and only good behaviour received any attention at all.

[Nekhbet]

How well did you actually research the breed before you purchased it? Really if you are having difficulty rehoming does not always make you a bad owner - if you do it in the interest of the animal.

Please NEVER EVER chain up your dog with a check chain unless you want a dead dog. ITs cruel and can cause major damage. You have bought a dominant, working breed animal so deal with him appropriately. You said you have tried chaining and muzzling for 17 months ... sorry but HOW DID YOU FIND THIS APPROPRIATE. EVery time he barks, every time there is washing - what a horrible life for a BABY DOG which is what he is. Will you send your baby for a time out when it cries or punish it for making noise??? sorry but what you have done so far make me angry. Instead of LOOKING for a cause you simply try and suppress the frustration in the poor bugger.

I have grown up with GSDs and what he displays is typical male behaviour. If he's a full on pup you should have turned him down. He needs stimulation and a lot of it! He wants to be near you and when he's in teh house he's bloody ecstatic he gets attention. There is nothing worst to a dog that tries to impress you in his own way then gets pushed aside because his behaviour is 'unnaceptable". YOU bought the dog its up to YOU to nip things in the bud. No dog just comes trained from the word go and all the problems he has is because you did not research properly.

OK to solve the problems:

1) more obedience. Start back at basics, treat him like a puppy from day one. Here is a link GROUNDWORK where you should start reading and implementing.

2) more time. Sorry you bought the dog make the time. The dog doesnt understand the human concepts of work, mortgages etc so you have to train him, play with him etc. Make some agility jumps and things in the backyard and give him a good run around on them. Work on his obedience at a faster pace too, even start teaching him things like hiding treats in boxes and getting him to find which box has food in it, encouraging him and then praising him when he finds it.

3) Buy a crate and train him to live with you. He needs human contact, shepherds are very owner orientated and he will go bananas over you. Teach him that inside time means calm time. Keep him on a lead when he's inside, instead of dinner give him a lamb shank, lamb flap or something to gnaw while he is in his crate. When he is finished let him out for a spell. Always make inside positive, dont you or the dog carry on at all inside the house.

4) accept your dog for who he is. He is what he is. Dont 'hate' parts about him or you will pass that on to the dog, making training harder. Look at him for what he is - a hormone charged, high IQ teenager with bucketloads of energy to expell. And when you dont give him things to do he will find them. Dogs dont KNOW that things are naughty to chew. If you leave them within reach he thinks its OK. If you leave that lovely, flappy washing alone he thinks ... oooh bonus funtime! Dogs dont think in $$s. If its there, if its in the way, he'll get to it.

5) You go give him attention EVERY TIME HE BARKS. He will continue. It makes you go up to him. It makes you touch him. It makes you talk to him. So he will bark. You have reinforced the fact that BARKING gets results for this dog. If he is in more contact with you, sleeps in a crate in the house at night he will settle because he gets the closeness his breed was bred for.

6) feed him 2 meals a day morning and evening. Make him work for his meal. He has to behave, sit, maybe retireve a toy THEN gets his food. Shake things up a bit, get him to work for everything he does. Wanna go out? Well sit, stay for 20 seconds and roll over. Want a treat? Drop and stay etc etc. A pitfall is to try and make training into set periods. I have always made my dogs training every moment we are together. They are expected to behave the same 24/7, not just obedient withim set times of the day.

Learn to understand the GSD. Its not really a breed for the novice but I think the police force would LOVE him (or send him down to me )

or conversely maybe better for you to return him to the breeder and find a dog that is more compatible for your upcoming situation. 2 shiftworkers and a new baby, PLUS a 3 year old. I dont think this is the right household for a male GSD. And I dont say that to be mean, I'm saying it for the good of the dog.

Take a look at THESE articles which are from a trainer and breeder of working shepherds. They did me a world of good, its a little to get through but very worth it.

[Bullygirl]

Does Jasper sleep outside? It sounds like it from your posts.

Yep, he does.

Have you thought about crate training him?

No actually. My bullies all have crates. Guess I should go searching for a bigger one for Jasper! Great idea, thanks!

How well did you actually research the breed before you purchased it?

Obviously not enough!

If he's a full on pup you should have turned him down.

How was I to know he was an alpha pup and I shouldn't take him? I was on a waiting list for about 12 months to get him. I was in no rush. The litter came up. I visited the litter a few times (5 hour drive each way) whilst they were growing up. I was shown which were the 'show dogs' and which were the 'pets'. I had two to choose from. I chose him at about 6 weeks of age. Picked him up at 10 weeks. He wasn't a full on pup when I saw him! He was cuddly and sweet just like the rest of them were!

YOU bought the dog its up to YOU to nip things in the bud

Why do you think I'm here being abused for asking for help? I'm trying to nip things in the bud.

You said you have tried chaining and muzzling for 17 months ...

No, he hasn't been chained or muzzled for 17 months, that is how old he is. He has been getting put on the chain on and off for the last 2 weeks, along with the muzzle, as we were told it MIGHT help stop him barking. It didn't work. I'm repeating myself. I don't do it all the time and it doesn't happen anymore!

I am giving up now! Thanks for all the constructive help. I will be contacting a dog trainer and taking him to them asap. I don't need anymore abuse or anyone else telling me its all my fault. I already know it is, that is why I asked for help, not abuse. I have never claimed to be a professional. All I asked for was help.

[noneybur]

Bullygirl,

I might know of someone that will be able to help you. I need to know where you live in rural NSW. You can email me direct to tell me at [email protected]

There is help out there for you. Regards Jen

[Tonymc]

Bullygirl,take no notice of those having a go at you!!!Its like sorting the Wheat from the Chaff.Take the information from those like Erny and some others and disregard the rest.

Sadly on Sites like this Many do not wait till they have all the Facts before jumping in.

Tony

[Scales of Justice]

I cant help having to work, neither can my husband. Does that mean we can't own a dog because we have to go to work?

I can't help feeling a little like MrsD, I would not sell a german shepherd to a family where both parties work shift work. I don't think a german shepherd is for you and your lifestyle. In fairness to you though, you probably have a german shepherd which has high drives and these types of GSDs most often do not make good pets. As someone above (can't remember who) said, you have a working dog that needs more attention than he is getting. This boy needs things to do when you are not home. He needs to amuse himself with large marrow bones, kongs with food in (someone suggested above), a tyre hanging on a rope from a tree, rope hanging from a tree - any form of distraction and amusement that he can find for himself. Desexing may help.

Please, please do not leave this boy tied up on a check chain.

Edited January 27, 2007 by Scales of Justice

[sas]

Why has someone not suggested Drive training, or did I miss that?

This dogs sounds like he has a tonne of drive and would really benefit from it.

[MrsD]

Bullygirl,take no notice of those having a go at you!!!Its like sorting the Wheat from the Chaff.Take the information from those like Erny and some others and disregard the rest.

Sadly on Sites like this Many do not wait till they have all the Facts before jumping in.

Tony

With all due respect Tony, people who are "having a go" like Nekhbet & myself & others have been giving exactly the sort of advice she needs to take onboard & our first concern is the dog.

As for not waiting til we get all the facts, the facts were written in great detail in the first post, it blatantly said

So, we chained him up each time he barked, hoping to teach him a lesson. We would let him off when he was good. Nup, hasn't worked in 17 months and it's done regulary. He barks on the chain!

So now the story has changed. Still doesnt change the fact that the dog needs stimulation, it needs work on pack leadership & is going stir crazy not getting any attention.

[KOE]

Firstly, this is my first German Shepherd, our family has only ever had English Bull Terriers which were show dogs and perfectly behaved, calm, sweet etc. So, I'm a novice to a different breed. BIG MISTAKE!

My husband has had 3 German Shepherds in his family over his 30 years but were owned by his parents so he didn't really have a lot to do with the training of them etc.

Our dog, Jasper, is a pedigree (we have his papers) but is not going to be shown or used to breed with, he is just a family pet. He is 17 months old.

Before I get into what he is doing, we have taken him to the Vet and asked if we should de-sex him to calm him down. We were told no as it will make no difference to such a highly strung dog. Aaagghhh.

This is what he does...Please remember my husband and I are both shift workers full time but when we are not here, my Mother is here with my daughter. She can't control him either.

He barks, NON STOP, its unbelievable. He barks at wind, a car driving past the front yard, the people next door going into their yards to water their lawn. They can't even put their washing on the line without having Japser bark at them non stop.

So, we chained him up each time he barked, hoping to teach him a lesson. We would let him off when he was good. Nup, hasn't worked in 17 months and it's done regulary. He barks on the chain!

So, we muzzle him when he barks and take it off when he stops making noise. He is crazy, he lets us put the muzzle on, stays quiet for about 5 minutes, then as soon as we are about to take it off, he does this horrendous half bark, half howl thing from under the muzzle. It's actually just as loud as his bark!

So, we lock him in the laundry. He barks the laundry down. Jumps on the walls, scratches the doors down, rips the wood off the doors, chews the cupboards in the laundry, jumps on top of the washing machine and looks out the laundry window barking. Chews the laundry window! So, we muzzle him in the laundry... viscious cycle. He does the hideous bark/howl with the muzzle on in the laundry.

So, we are literally awake and up out of bed every single hour at the least every single night checking out why he is barking. We have never found a reason, there has never been a person in our yard, etc. We are losing the plot as we have a baby due in about 3 weeks and already getting no sleep!

He rips every single thing up in the yard. He is even chewing the house! He is literally ripping the cladding off the house, and chewing the metal up. I had my car in the back yard one day under a car port cleaning it. I came inside to have lunch. When I returned to my car he had ripped the front number plate off the car and had chewed it up!

He pulls washing off the line. Every single day. He has to be chained up whilst washing is on the line or we have to sit out the back watching him.

He chews up every hose we own. We have to take the hose in and out of our house each day to water the plants. Very inconvenient.

He literally jumps on our glass sliding doors the whole day long trying to get inside or get our attention. It sounds like the whole house is going to fall down. We can't be outside with the bloody dog all day and the minute we go inside, he starts jumping on the glass doors.

Now, he does get walked each day but only once as we are full time workers with a 3 year old, another old dog that has to be walked seperate as we can't walk the two of them together (because of Jasper). We have 2 horses also. Oh, our yard is HUGE too. He is not in a small yard, we are in the country.

He used to be great to walk, he would walk beside us, not pull and never have to be checked on the chain. Not anymore. He has started pulling and no matter how much we check him, give him treats for being good, he is now ripping our arms off each walk and just will not listen. Walking him used to be a nice part of the day. Not anymore.

He jumps all over our old Bull Terrier, who is 12 and in her last days unfortunately. She has heart failure and dementia and is being medicated heavily. She yelps obviously when he jumps on her, he really hurts her, so they have to be seperated. She stays inside or in the laundry and gets let out regulary to wee etc. It is becoming a horrendous chore as she can't even walk around her own yard at her leisure as Jasper has to be chained up or locked inside the laundry whilst we let her out. He will then 'eat' the laundry and bark the whole neighbourhood down if he is chained up trying to get to her.

He jumps on us, right up to our heads, everytime we go out the back. We tell him no, tell him to sit before we walk out (he can sit but only when he wants to) then as soon as we are out, he jumps on us. Not good when I'm 35 weeks pregnant. Not good either when my 3 year old DD can't be near him as he pushes her over.

We are really, honestly, at our wits end. It has gotten to the point where I cry when I look at him. I am starting to hate him and that is not the way I want to be with a family pet. I've never been without a dog, I love dogs so much, but I really can't cope with him.

Oh yeah, we are in very rural remote NSW. We have no kennel clubs nearby, no training nearby. We got him in Melbourne and the breeders are 5 hours away. We would be about 3 hours each way to the nearest kennel club.

He started very basic obedience training ourselves at about 4 - 6 months. He does sit, stay, come, walk on lead, but, only when he feels like it. He has been the same the whole 17 months of his life.

I have taken every dog I've owned to professional obedience training but now we have moved to a rural area, there is no one around. I'm doing everything the same as I've done with my other dogs, I just can't seem to get through this GSD's thick skull.

Some days when I'm trying to train him in the yard, he will sit first time and everytime, stay for 5 minutes, walk on the lead like an angel, then the next day, all hell breaks loose and he wont come when called, won't sit, jumps around like he has ants biting him.

The only thing he does all the time is shake hands! He likes doing that!

He accidently got out of the yard once when we were moving the car into the yard. He was chained up as we knew he would run out. He literally snapped his collar (he is now on a metal choker when chained up because of that) and he ran out the front. He kept running up the street, all over the road, totally ignoring us calling. He was gone for about an hour and we ended up finding him a few house up, curled up in a ball with a cat hissing at him. It was the funniest thing I've seen! He was terrified of the cat!

I really have no idea what to do with him. I wish I was closer to training! He has been 'trained' by us every day for about 10 to 20 minutes but nothing seems to work if he doesn't want it to!

We have tried the water spray in a bottle. He LOVES water. He thought it was the best thing ever. So, I put a tiny bit of citronella in the water bottle and sprayed his legs with it when he was barking or jumping on the old dog. He tried to eat the water stream so I stopped doing that fearing he might get sick.

He has had a citronella anti bark collar which did nothing. He just put his head down trying to look at what was spraying him in the neck and kept barking. He was barking with a whole mist of citronella around his head, sneezing, coughing and still kept going. We used that collar for a couple of months and it did absolutely nothing.

So, we got one of those ultrasonic collars. The one that has the high pitched noises that only dogs can hear. It only seemed to affect our old dog, who is almost deaf! She would prick her ears up each time it went off! But, the GSD, he didn't care. He kept barking... and barking... and barking...

We do praise him when he is being quiet. We go out and play a game with him when he is being quiet like ball or tug o war. We also let him come inside and 'visit' when he is being quiet. He is very good for about 2 minutes inside, then its like something takes over him and he jumps all over the lounges, runs through the house, picks up toys, shoes etc steals them!

We put chilli all over the house and on my Daughters swing set as he was eating the plastic bits on it. He still ate the foot pegs off her swing set and the plastic seats even with chilli powder on them. We put curry all over everything then and he absolutely loved that. He licked it all off. Then ate the plastics.

Is there any hope? Is there anyone out there who knows how to get into the head of a German Shepherd? He has cost us a lot in purchase price, training collars etc and I'm not the type of person who gets a dog then gives it away or puts it down because its not working out. I just thought after 17 months he might calm down or get better or finally obey us! Nope!

Are there any training places where we could send him? I only ask that as a last resort as we have no training nearby and the only way I can see him being trained is to send him away as we are very remote.

Please help!

I have only read the first post and this is what I think.

This dog is bored out of his brain. I dont normally say this but with a new baby coming find the poor dog a home where he will be nutured, attention paid to him and not left on a choke chain so he can hang himself.

[Muttly]

Without wanting to sound mean - please contact breed rescue for him if his breeder cannot take him back

Edited January 27, 2007 by ARF Muttly