Hello!

jm513 · 10-09-2011, 11:42 AM

Hi there! My name is Jessica and my family recently rescued a pup (his name is Jedi - yes, we're Star Wars geeks!) from a kill shelter. We're not sure what he is mixed with, but certainly mostly GSD. He is 3 and a half months old give or take a week or so according to the vet. The pics I've posted I took about 10 minutes ago. My vet and our trainer have told me to research GSD behaviors as that seems to be our best bet for giving him what he needs. I've attached a few pics, if anyone has any ideas what he's mixed with - let me know! I'm debating doing a DNA test to find out for sure, again - if anyone has ever done one of these and has an opinion - that would be great!

These forums so far have been great to read, lots of good information! We're certainly in the puppy chewing stage, but since I am home all day it is not too difficult to control - so far only one chair down! I'm redirecting as often as I can and doing the "OW" and removal technique - it helps. We have 2 young kids, 4 and 8. Right now, we're having a harder time training the kids how to act around the dog then we are having training the dog!

We also have an older dog, she is 14 now and a bit crotchety. They are ok together up to a point, then she gets tired of him - yay for baby gates. We also have cats - yes, a slight zoo! He and the cats are still not sure about each other. Normal prey instinct - if they run, he chases - but if not he usually ignores them. I am trying to find a way to have them coexist a little better, I'm hoping as he gets older he'll ignore them more, we'll see.

Our training is.....going. We're working on engaging. He's great as long as he is in training mode - but the second he knows we're done, he ignores us completely. I'm trying to work on training methods at all times and not just training time - but he seems to know the difference. Patience and perseverance I'm hoping! The leash is no big deal, he is a natural with that, pulling is really not an issue and if he does, as soon as you stop he sits right down and waits for you to move again.

I've been watching training videos and reading stuff from all kinds of people - everyone has different techniques which makes it a bit difficult to pick the right one, which is one reason I'm here. Our trainer told me to stop watching Ceaser - I don't think I like her (I love him!). Ceaser says never play tug with a dog, the guy in the videos posted here has a whole training system built around it! Agh!!

It doesn't help that both guys make perfect sense! I am leaning towards more of the "no tug" because of my kids - the tug method seems great as a one on one thing, but with an entire family (and young VERY loud and excitable kids) I'm thinking it best to just say no to that before he can tug them right across the house. Thoughts?

SO anyway, now that I have written a book - hello and thank you for all the wonderful information I have read so far!

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idahospud49 · 10-09-2011, 11:57 AM

Welcome!!!

I have always played tug with my dogs, my boy Glock LOVES it. I will let others who are more knowledgeable and experienced really answer your questions though!!

Stosh · 10-09-2011, 12:07 PM

Thanks for giving him a loving home. Kind of looks like there's some husky in there too. Not many Cesar fans around here- check out Michael Ellis on leerburg.com. There's a ton of free streaming videos.

jm513 · 10-09-2011, 12:20 PM

I've been watching the Michael Ellis videos - he's great too! My concern with what he is teaching is it seems to me to be a very one on one approach and I'm not sure how well it will work with an entire family - anyone who uses his approach and has some insight on this, it would be welcome! Jedi is almost bigger than my daughter already and I know playing tug would end badly for her. My husband and I enjoy it (as does my son, but it will end badly for him in a couple more months too I'm sure!) I need to make sure that he always knows he is below the kids in pack status and I'm not sure how well tug will work with that.

Fafhrd · 10-09-2011, 01:29 PM

He's a handsome fellow!

Emoore · 10-09-2011, 01:41 PM

I LOVE the name Jedi!

I'm thinking German Shepherd and maybe retriever or hound?

jm513 · 10-09-2011, 01:44 PM

thanks! He's a big sweetie! We're going to have a very large lap dog! lol=-)) I'm looking forward to the time when we're passed being chew toys - I know the kids will have so much fun playing with him once they aren't afraid he's going to eat them! He's really good with them (like I mentioned - harder to train them than him!) The kids try and play with our older dog but her response is "you threw it, you go get it"

jm513 · 10-09-2011, 06:52 PM

I've heard husky mix quite a few times - he doesn't have that undercoat that huskies have though, but could still be. My husband really wants there to be some lab in him - and with these ears, could be! They don't seem to me to have any inclination of standing up, and they look like lab ears. He looks so much like a GSD otherwise (aside from his snout - but I don't think many people get further than his coloring before asking) that people have already asked why his ears aren't up. Up or floppy, doesn't really matter to me though=-).

Question about the videos here - one of the videos posted is about engagement training - well a section of them. I cannot tell if the trainers are constantly giving them food or are enticing them with it as they go. Our trainer has so far only showed us the basic "make them be on all fours and look at you" form of engagement - but he did that the first time we tried it and it doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. He gets bored. I'd like to add in more movement like I've seen in these videos but can't tell exactly what they're doing. Anyone know? I'm going to talk to his trainer as well, but we don't have class for another 3 days. Thanks!

CherryCola · 10-09-2011, 07:11 PM

Welcome!! He is adorable.. I'm thinking a GSD/Australian Cattle Dog mix? Good luck with the training!

10-09-2011, 11:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
jm513 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Johns, Florida (just south of Jacksonville) Posts: 36	Hello! Hi there! My name is Jessica and my family recently rescued a pup (his name is Jedi - yes, we're Star Wars geeks!) from a kill shelter. We're not sure what he is mixed with, but certainly mostly GSD. He is 3 and a half months old give or take a week or so according to the vet. The pics I've posted I took about 10 minutes ago. My vet and our trainer have told me to research GSD behaviors as that seems to be our best bet for giving him what he needs. I've attached a few pics, if anyone has any ideas what he's mixed with - let me know! I'm debating doing a DNA test to find out for sure, again - if anyone has ever done one of these and has an opinion - that would be great! These forums so far have been great to read, lots of good information! We're certainly in the puppy chewing stage, but since I am home all day it is not too difficult to control - so far only one chair down! I'm redirecting as often as I can and doing the "OW" and removal technique - it helps. We have 2 young kids, 4 and 8. Right now, we're having a harder time training the kids how to act around the dog then we are having training the dog! We also have an older dog, she is 14 now and a bit crotchety. They are ok together up to a point, then she gets tired of him - yay for baby gates. We also have cats - yes, a slight zoo! He and the cats are still not sure about each other. Normal prey instinct - if they run, he chases - but if not he usually ignores them. I am trying to find a way to have them coexist a little better, I'm hoping as he gets older he'll ignore them more, we'll see. Our training is.....going. We're working on engaging. He's great as long as he is in training mode - but the second he knows we're done, he ignores us completely. I'm trying to work on training methods at all times and not just training time - but he seems to know the difference. Patience and perseverance I'm hoping! The leash is no big deal, he is a natural with that, pulling is really not an issue and if he does, as soon as you stop he sits right down and waits for you to move again. I've been watching training videos and reading stuff from all kinds of people - everyone has different techniques which makes it a bit difficult to pick the right one, which is one reason I'm here. Our trainer told me to stop watching Ceaser - I don't think I like her (I love him!). Ceaser says never play tug with a dog, the guy in the videos posted here has a whole training system built around it! Agh!! It doesn't help that both guys make perfect sense! I am leaning towards more of the "no tug" because of my kids - the tug method seems great as a one on one thing, but with an entire family (and young VERY loud and excitable kids) I'm thinking it best to just say no to that before he can tug them right across the house. Thoughts? SO anyway, now that I have written a book - hello and thank you for all the wonderful information I have read so far! Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

10-09-2011, 11:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
idahospud49 Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Linden, Arizona Posts: 1,690	Welcome!!! I have always played tug with my dogs, my boy Glock LOVES it. I will let others who are more knowledgeable and experienced really answer your questions though!! __________________ Megan Amadeus 1/13/2003-10/20/2010 RIP Glock 1/25/2011

10-09-2011, 01:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fafhrd Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 308	He's a handsome fellow! __________________ Kyra, female GSD, whelped 6/15/10 Karloff, male sable GSD, whelped 6/30/08 Tuco, male black GSD, 7/17/97--8/13/08, RIP Ada, female GSD mix, RIP

10-09-2011, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	I LOVE the name Jedi! I'm thinking German Shepherd and maybe retriever or hound? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

10-09-2011, 07:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
CherryCola Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bedfordshire, England. Posts: 4,767	Welcome!! He is adorable.. I'm thinking a GSD/Australian Cattle Dog mix? Good luck with the training! __________________ Kimberley, Mama to: Cherry (Tristorm Cola). Born 24th December 2006! Visit Cherry at Dogster! http://www.dogster.com/dogs/499535 Logan (Pinchmill Carmichael). 3rd May 1997 - 25th January 2007 Last edited by CherryCola; 10-09-2011 at 07:14 PM.

10-09-2011, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	Thanks for giving him a loving home. Kind of looks like there's some husky in there too. Not many Cesar fans around here- check out Michael Ellis on leerburg.com. There's a ton of free streaming videos.

10-09-2011, 12:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
jm513 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Johns, Florida (just south of Jacksonville) Posts: 36	I've been watching the Michael Ellis videos - he's great too! My concern with what he is teaching is it seems to me to be a very one on one approach and I'm not sure how well it will work with an entire family - anyone who uses his approach and has some insight on this, it would be welcome! Jedi is almost bigger than my daughter already and I know playing tug would end badly for her. My husband and I enjoy it (as does my son, but it will end badly for him in a couple more months too I'm sure!) I need to make sure that he always knows he is below the kids in pack status and I'm not sure how well tug will work with that.

10-09-2011, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
jm513 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Johns, Florida (just south of Jacksonville) Posts: 36	thanks! He's a big sweetie! We're going to have a very large lap dog! lol=-)) I'm looking forward to the time when we're passed being chew toys - I know the kids will have so much fun playing with him once they aren't afraid he's going to eat them! He's really good with them (like I mentioned - harder to train them than him!) The kids try and play with our older dog but her response is "you threw it, you go get it"

10-09-2011, 06:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
jm513 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Johns, Florida (just south of Jacksonville) Posts: 36	I've heard husky mix quite a few times - he doesn't have that undercoat that huskies have though, but could still be. My husband really wants there to be some lab in him - and with these ears, could be! They don't seem to me to have any inclination of standing up, and they look like lab ears. He looks so much like a GSD otherwise (aside from his snout - but I don't think many people get further than his coloring before asking) that people have already asked why his ears aren't up. Up or floppy, doesn't really matter to me though=-). Question about the videos here - one of the videos posted is about engagement training - well a section of them. I cannot tell if the trainers are constantly giving them food or are enticing them with it as they go. Our trainer has so far only showed us the basic "make them be on all fours and look at you" form of engagement - but he did that the first time we tried it and it doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. He gets bored. I'd like to add in more movement like I've seen in these videos but can't tell exactly what they're doing. Anyone know? I'm going to talk to his trainer as well, but we don't have class for another 3 days. Thanks!

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