Hi from Nebraska...

[sam12587]

Hi,
I just joined & figured I should introduce myself.
I’m a single Mom of an 12 year old boy. I’m a tinkerer by nature & also love to grow things.
I grew up on a farm where the dogs were red Dobermans and a fluffy mutt. The mutt was found the American way – my Mom almost ran over him on a dirt road! The farm was kind of a depot for the unwanted or injured – we had many cats/dogs/livestock pass through on their way to forever homes or just stay with us forever because of bad behavior.

The reason for joining this forum:
Last year we (my son & I) found a puppy in a shopping cart @ Big Lots. The vet aged the pup @ 10-11 weeks in late Sept 2010. I’m 99% sure he’s half German Shepard. I think the other half is golden retriever but am not sure until I do a DNA test… I stumbled on this forum a few days ago trying to figure out if his clingy behavior (that drives me nuts) is normal or something I need to call the dog trainer about. Judging by other posts, it’s a Shepard thing! There’s enough useful info on here I figure I may as well join so that I can hopefully get more good info.
I’ve never in my life had a trainable dog. I’ve always had rescue dogs/strays. This little guy we found is wonderful! Best dog I’ve ever had in my life. He actually listens. He is S-M-A-R-T. He wants to make me happy. He looks to me for all directions – except for the past couple months when I call him to come inside (any ideas on that?). I’ve never had a dog listen as much as he does. He now responds when I do just the hand gestures that go with the command. He is my constant shadow.
His only “rescue dog hang up” is that he’s terrified of bathes & nail clipping. A local groomer helps me with his nails – takes 2-3 of us to hold him & we are trying to make it positive and get him to the point I can do it at home. With bathing I’m doing what I can, given I only wash him when he’s dirty – lots of wet hugs & soggy treats. He’s a bit skittish but the older he gets the more he’s calming down & the more he lets me tend to him. It’s almost like he’s scared to be held?
I named him Jack or “Action Jackson”.

We also have a about 10yr old Manchester terrier/feral dog – we fostered him after he was found half dead on a dirt road in Western Iowa. The short version is he chose us as his family after he grew his hair back & regained good health. Worst dog I’ve ever known but he’s my son’s best friend. Thankfully, after 6 years he’s finally calming down a bit – I think the puppy helps wear him out & teach him who is boss when I’m not in the room. For those wondering why I call him bad, he has nasty food issues and wants to be alpha.

We also had a black lab for about 9+ yrs – she crossed over the rainbow bridge this last March due to suffering too much as her body malfunctioned. She was about 14. I still can’t see a black lab now without tearing up even though she drove me crazy (another rescue dog). She was a very upbeat & happy gal - even during her last car ride she was happy as a puppy with her head out the window.

Before I accidentally bought a problem house, we used to foster about 4 dogs a year(and other animals) for various rescue groups. I’ve always believed in having an open door for all who need help. When the house is fixed & I can have an isolated quiet room, I’ll probably be doing it again.
I read a lot online but don’t post often – I’m usually too busy running around fixing things or doing kid’s activities. I hope it’s OK that I registered even though my guy isn’t a purebred. I just want to learn more about how to train him & know what’s natural to his dominant breed.

[GSDBESTK9]

Hello and welcome to the board.

[1sttimeforgsd]

Hello and Welcome, to you and your handsome boy. Thanks for sharing the pics, and sorry about the loss of your lab, I have one too and I know how special they are.

[sam12587]

Thanks for the welcome

Yeah, my lab was quite a lady. I think her patience with my son during the toddler years qualified her for sainthood.