Help! My dog thinks i'm his treat.

[cptduke]

I haven't read any of the reply's because I'm lazy so if I'm a repeater... whatever.

My guy is just coming up on 8 months and he always has his nose up in my business! Especially if I sit on the floor to put shoes on. His favorite thing to do is untie my shoes. One thing that really helped us was teaching him to 'wait' and 'go to bed'. He has a bed upstairs and downstairs so no matter what floor we're on, if he gets to nosey we can tell him to 'go to bed' and 'wait'.

Plus side: He is teaching our foster dog both of those commands as well as a few others.

[gotahaveaGSD]

Originally Posted by wolfy dog

You are right; he treats you like a subordinate litter mate that he can bully. Fire your trainer and get a knowledgeable dog trainer for private training asap before accidents occur. This dog does not respect you and he is getting dangerously strong. The methods you have used will make him more determined to fight you. Check out APDT.com and go to trainer search or check out a Schutzhund club.
But remember he is just a dog without guidance and he took the lead since no one else did.

Totally agree with you here.

I'm not a trainer, but I've Learned a lot from owning a GSD. I believe with those who say that dogs have natural instincts. In the wild there is always a Alfa dog , one above all other dogs. I think we have to be that "Alfa" owner. In the wild no wild dogs can do anything with out the Alfa dog approving it.

Along with the normal obedience training, I try not to let maya do anything with out me approving it first. What I mean by that is, I don't let maya get on the couch or my bed without me asking her to. I also am the first out the door or gate. I also don't let her out of the car with out me saying " come " first. She looks at me to do anything. And that includes feeding time. She has to look at me in the eye and be calm before I put her food down to let her eat.

I never did those things with any other dog I have ever owned before. I've learned that German Shepherds will test you, and you can not let them get away with certain things.

[babybaron]

Thank you everyone for all the replies! I'm sorry i'm soo late in responding! Everyone has really good thoughts and I as I read them I was mentally reviewing what I do and don't do with him. Some of what was suggested I do with him already but still have the mouthy problem. The Central theme in the replies was a time out place, and the NILIF, which I do NOT do either of those with him. I will take myself out of the room and close the door but i never put HIM in time out. I am also not as consistent as I should be. I have found someone I think will be a good trainer for us and am starting with her the first of february. Though, I am going to institute a lot of the practices ya'll shared with me in the interim. This is the third GSD I've had, but the first, that was this assertive with me.
I will try to post an update once i start working with the trainer.
thanks!