I need help please I'm lost as to what to do!!!!

[Feeriaan1]

I have a 3 year old GSD and I am having major issues with him, we had him house broken, but for some reason he no longer lets me know when he has to go out he just goes into the laundry room or the bathroom and goes potty, I have tried to get him to stop but he won't. I thought maybe a change took place but there really were no major changes in our life other then a new baby but he was doing this before she was born. He also tends to hike his leg on things that we have owned since before we got him.

The other issue I am having is he barks at everything! people can't walk past the house without him going on a barking/growling rant. these rants usually last about 5 mins.

Another issue is I lock him and our Siberian Husky in the laundry room when we are sleeping or not home and when we take them out to potty and bring them back in they are out of control and bounce off walls like they have been locked up for days on end.

Oh and one more thing does anyone have any ideas to get Bear my GSD to keep the water in the water dish or in his mouth, when he drinks he gets it everywhere, he even causes a little lake around his water dish.

and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a good diet for him, he is eating but still very skinny I took him to the vet to see about worms but hes clean, and the vet suggested a very expensive brand that we can't afford.

Also why would he carry his food out into the living room to eat? this just started a few months back and I have no clue why..

I know this is a lot but this is my first GSD and I need to figure out something to get his behavior under control otherwise my husband is going to make me get rid of him and I don't want to he is like one of my babies.

The only change that I can think of is that we got Shiloh our Husky back in April but they grew up together, so it wasn't a dog he didn't know, and all of this was going on before we got him.

I'm begging please help me so I can keep him, I have until Spring to get these issues resolved.

[Rott-n-GSDs]

Originally Posted by Feeriaan1

I have a 3 year old GSD and I am having major issues with him, we had him house broken, but for some reason he no longer lets me know when he has to go out he just goes into the laundry room or the bathroom and goes potty, I have tried to get him to stop but he won't. I thought maybe a change took place but there really were no major changes in our life other then a new baby but he was doing this before she was born. He also tends to hike his leg on things that we have owned since before we got him.

My first advice would be to take him to the vet. Since this started suddenly, it could be a medical issue. The vet will likely require a urine sample so you can be proactive and bring one in with you. Use a clean, dry jar to put it in, and the first pee of the day is usually best. I use a soup ladle to catch urine from my male dogs... just slip it underneath them once they start going.

Is he neutered?

The other issue I am having is he barks at everything! people can't walk past the house without him going on a barking/growling rant. these rants usually last about 5 mins.

It is natural for for him to bark and be protective. You need to work on training him to stop barking on command. Have you been to obedience class?

Another issue is I lock him and our Siberian Husky in the laundry room when we are sleeping or not home and when we take them out to potty and bring them back in they are out of control and bounce off walls like they have been locked up for days on end.

Is the Siberian male or female? Fixed or intact?

It sounds like they both need a lot more exercise. If you just take them to potty and bring them right back after they've been confined, they likely have a lot of energy to burn. How many walks do they get? How long and at what pace? Any other exercise besides walks?

Oh and one more thing does anyone have any ideas to get Bear my GSD to keep the water in the water dish or in his mouth, when he drinks he gets it everywhere, he even causes a little lake around his water dish.

Not sure how to fix this one... perhaps just put the dish on a towel.

and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for a good diet for him, he is eating but still very skinny I took him to the vet to see about worms but hes clean, and the vet suggested a very expensive brand that we can't afford.

What is he currently eating? How much? What did the vet suggest?

Also why would he carry his food out into the living room to eat? this just started a few months back and I have no clue why..

Are you in the living room while he's eating? He probably just wants to be by you. If you feed him on a schedule and allow him 15-20 minutes to eat his meal, he will likely stay at his dish and finish it, and then you won't have to worry about him carrying it about.

I know this is a lot but this is my first GSD and I need to figure out something to get his behavior under control otherwise my husband is going to make me get rid of him and I don't want to he is like one of my babies.

I would tell my husband exactly where to go if he told me I had to get rid of one of our dogs (only half joking).

[Feeriaan1]

both our dogs are male and are in very good health, I haven't gotten them fixed yet, as far as walks I am kind of scared to take them for a walk since they pull me around like a rag doll and I would have to take my 3 month old with me for the walk, we we have tried choke collars and everything else we could think of to help get them to stop pulling, I have a fairly large yard that they get to run in, and we play fetch and I try to get them as worn out as possible. they calm down about 5 mins after they come in the house, I try to get them out about 5-6 times a day.

as far as what the vet told me to feed them I can not remember the name all I remember was that is was like $80 for a 55lb bag and there is no way we can afford that every week and a half.

All in all he is a good dog we just can't handle the potty in the house most of all, but when I took him to the vet the vet said he was very healthy and he had no concerns, so I was wondering if anyone had ideas to help retrain him, I can't kennel him because he rips the kennels apart, we have already gone through 4 kennels 2 wire and 2 travel plastic ones.

[GSDkid]

How old was he when you got him? Is he neutered?

Sounds like you just need to do some one on one with the guy and plenty of exercise. Train him away from the other dog and other distractions. Maybe an empty room? Or take him to OB classes.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Feeriaan1

as far as what the vet told me to feed them I can not remember the name all I remember was that is was like $80 for a 55lb bag and there is no way we can afford that every week and a half.

Good God, I have two German Shepherds and a 40lb bag lasts me a month! How much are you feeding?


Have you considering hiring a trainer? You can't walk your dogs without being dragged down the road. Your dog pees in the house and you don't know why. Your dog can't be crated. Your dog barks and you can't get him to stop. Your dog is out of control and bounces off the walls. These are not issues we can give you a "Step A, Step B, Step C" solution to, because the problem is that you and your husband don't know how to train and handle your dogs. You really need to find a good trainer to help you learn to handle them.

[Rott-n-GSDs]

Originally Posted by Feeriaan1

both our dogs are male and are in very good health, I haven't gotten them fixed yet,

How large is your laundry room? I would be extremely leery about locking two intact male dogs together, particularly intact male dogs that aren't getting enough exercise.

as far as walks I am kind of scared to take them for a walk since they pull me around like a rag doll and I would have to take my 3 month old with me for the walk, we we have tried choke collars and everything else we could think of to help get them to stop pulling, I have a fairly large yard that they get to run in, and we play fetch and I try to get them as worn out as possible.

They really need "forced" exercise (like going for a walk) to get their energy out. I can see where it would be really difficult to take dogs out with a 3 month old... is there someone who can watch the baby while you work with the dogs, one at a time?

Again, I highly recommend obedience classes.

as far as what the vet told me to feed them I can not remember the name all I remember was that is was like $80 for a 55lb bag and there is no way we can afford that every week and a half.

Was it Hills Science Diet? That's what vets usually recommend, it's super expensive, and it's crap.

What stores are in your area so we can give you some food recommendations?

What are you feeding now?

[Feeriaan1]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Good God, I have two German Shepherds and a 40lb bag lasts me a month! How much are you feeding?


Have you considering hiring a trainer? You can't walk your dogs without being dragged down the road. Your dog pees in the house and you don't know why. Your dog can't be crated. Your dog barks and you can't get him to stop. Your dog is out of control and bounces off the walls. These are not issues we can give you a "Step A, Step B, Step C" solution to, because the problem is that you and your husband don't know how to train and handle your dogs. You really need to find a good trainer to help you learn to handle them.

We have thought about it but we do not really have many trainers around here, I know you can't give me a step by step I was just wondering if you all had any ideas to help me, I know how to train dogs but I've just never had this much issues with a dog, I have trained my mother husky which was very stubborn, but Bear just seems to be very stubborn and not interested in the training even with using treats.

[sharkey19]

I agree with what others have said. It sounds like your dogs need some major training and mental/physical stimulation. Also neutering may help with him marking your house, though really he shouldn't be doing that either way.

I would get on this right away because it sounds like they are totally out of control, and that means your baby could be in danger. Talk to a trainer asap.

[nitemares]

Your dog needs exercise and training. From your post I can tell that bear is basically ruling the house. Hire a trainer and start over from the beginning.

[sharkey19]

Originally Posted by Feeriaan1

We have thought about it but we do not really have many trainers around here, I know you can't give me a step by step I was just wondering if you all had any ideas to help me

Have you tried a head halter for walking? I have found that the New Trix collar worked really well for Dax (it will help you gain control, but should be used alongside training).

You could also try a citronella collar for the barking. (again, you need to train).

Dax was never responsive to treats with training, I found other ways (tug toys, balls). If you know how to train as you say you do, than you should know how to train without treats. If not, you should really make the effort to find a trainer before your find yourself in a position where you need to euthanize the dog that bit your baby.

As far as food, I have Dax on a veterinary formula that worked really well for him. It is called Medi-cal high energy. It is expensive, so I am sure there are other products out there you can try. Look for something "high energy", if your dog really needs to put on weight (did the vet say he was thin?).