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[elizabeth820]

My name is Elizabeth and our family has rescued a GSD within the past week. We were told he was at least a year old, though he has some teeth still coming in and displays a lot of puppy behavior so we think he might be slightly younger. We were looking at baby pups but after we went to see this boy we couldn't leave him. The previous owner had him tied to a tree and only brought him in when it was "too cold for survival." He has no idea how to be a dog/puppy but he's come a long way in just one short week. He does not pull as hard on a leash, knows in, out, sit, stay, wait, look, speak, down and shake. He's very intelligent but gets so very distracted at times it's hard to gain his attention. When we go for long walks his nose is to the ground the entire time and he hardly makes eye contact, he's obsessed with sniffing and his tennis ball. He is settling in our pack but still challenges things here and there. He's such a sweet, smart boy I have no idea why this gentleman wouldn't have loved him the way he deserves.

I cannot get much information from the previous owner and don't want to reopen lines of communication. Our boy is terrified of stairs to the point of every single muscle shaking when faced with them. He's finally ok with the four stairs leading outside our home but when it comes to doing down a case of them he's petrified and he acts the same when it comes to the bathroom. I've been leashing him and praising him but he's terrified of both. I have no idea why but I'm sure as all things he will soon get use to it as that's where he will get his bath time.. So far he's gone from barking all the time at anything in our home to finally settling to now laying on his back in his crate with his legs in the air. I hope this is all good behavior. I'm trying to implement the NILIF but I'm slightly confused about corrections and pulling on the leash. He doesn't do it with my husband and use to "walk" me all over the place, he's not as bad now but I cannot say if that's because of something I'm doing or if it's because he's not as nervous. How exactly should I be correcting him when he's pulling the leash? I want to be fair with him but I also want to enjoy our walks as he needs A LOT of exercise. He has no idea what the word "heel" means and I'm not sure if I know how to teach this.. Any help would be great! Thanks and sorry this is so long.

[WendyDsMom]

Hot dogs are your friend. Leave bite size pieces on the stairs.. one on each step. Let him be a little hungry - and when he sniffs out the hot dogs - I'll bet he is over the stair phobia. Given a couple of days of random hot dog steps - he will be up and down like a CHAMP!!! Also rewards at the top and bottom of the stairs....

Also, a hot dog in your hand (cupped so his nose has to go in to get a piece) held at your side while walking will make sure his super snooper stays up and in your hand. Let him take nibbles - sliding the dog down as you walk. Walk in front, no snack. Stay next to me - snack heaven.

Many different collar solutions for the pulling if you decide to go that way - but we are using the hot dog method - and it is easy.

While training, a slightly underfed pup is a good thing. Keep track of food and snacks to make sure he is getting enough to eat - or not too much to eat.

[elizabeth820]

Here's a picture of our boy.

[Twyla]

Originally Posted by elizabeth820

he hardly makes eye contact, he's obsessed with sniffing and his tennis ball.

Our boy is terrified of stairs to the point of every single muscle shaking when faced with them. He's finally ok with the four stairs leading outside our home but when it comes to doing down a case of them he's petrified and he acts the same when it comes to the bathroom. I've been leashing him and praising him but he's terrified of both. I have no idea why but I'm sure as all things he will soon get use to it as that's where he will get his bath time..

Woolf is having to learn eye contact. What we are doing is every time he looks at us is praise praise praise. To get him to look at me is probably the comedy hour for the neighbors lol. Being silly, dancing around, jumping jacks, funny noises - anything that makes him look and then all the praise.

Don't know if this would help with stairs but a couple of weeks ago Woolf decided he was scared of the wood floor. He is ball crazy, so as someone suggested on here, we left his ball on the wood floor. If he wanted it, he had to get it. He got the idea, so we were back to playing ball. It did take him a bit longer dealing with corners, but all is back to normal for him and wood floors. With stairs maybe do something similar, 2 or 3 steps up/down place his ball, once he is comfortable getting it from there, go another couple of steps..

[JakodaCD OA]

such a pretty boy and so glad you rescued him..

I wouldn't be to hard on him just yet , I would be letting him settle into his new home, work on bonding with him, (feed him by hand!!) and just let him get used to settling in..

Stairs, are they wood? it's slippery and sometimes can scare a dog or if they have no 'backing', like open steps? Definately use the food even on the stairs..

You've gotten some great ideas, just wanted to throw a couple more out there

[MaggieRoseLee]

He's beautiful!

One of the biggest things will be to give him time, be patient, and use tons of love PLUS alot of training treats! I'd be using all food and teaching him what you want, rather than any real corrections at this point.

Want to build him up and give him confidence so he'll be more likely to be brave and try new things. Also this will all give him confidence in YOU as a leader and be more likely to just follow your lead and decide it must be ok if you are acting like it's ok!

Tons of playing and exercising with him, toys and tugging if he'll do that with you.

CLICKER TRAINING would be 100% perfect for the both of you. You'd be amazed how fast he'll learn if you can take the time to learn the method...

Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!) <-- click that link