Is this normal for working line? Spin off of Velcro dog

[Capone22]

After reading the Velcro dog thread I realized, while I do have a puppy that very much wants to be with me at all times. It's usually not possible. If I am not actively engaging her, ie: playing tug/fetch or training, she is nuts. I couldn't just let her have free roam of the house. She would have to be tied to me. There is no her following me calmly to different areas of the house. Otherwise she would be jumping, running, finding something to chew or chewing me! She's 5 months next week. I either am actively engaging her or she is outside or in her crate or tied to me so I can physically remove her from my arm/leg/hand etc. lol and keep her from hurting the kids. I just figured this is a higher drive, working line dog and is exactly what I signed up for. But just checking to be sure. I do look forward to being able to lounge with her next to me on the couch calmly petting her.


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[Cassidy's Mom]

Halo was a wild and crazy girl at that age too. And she can still be pretty wild and crazy at times (at flyball and dock diving), but around the house she's really, really good. Well, she does still, at 4 years old, shred toys and toilet paper, but she's calm and capable of hanging out and entertaining herself too. It helps that she has Keefer to pick on though! One of her favorite things is cuddling on the couch with her Daddy.

[Elaine]

Yes, it's normal and I would highly recommend you make a serious effort to let her be with you as much as possible and to engage her if needed to maintain her desire to be with you. Think baby gates and puppy proofing so she can be with you. This biting and chewing stage won't last all that much longer but she's in a very impressionable stage and you want her to think you are the greatest and want you.

[Capone22]

Ok thank you both! I will make sure I have her with me more often than not. I do use a baby gate and keep her in the kitchen with me while I make my daughters lunch and have coffee and lunch and stuff also. She very much reminds me of the puppy on Ed's , so you think you want a high drive puppy video and I've worked with lots of dogs and puppies and really enjoy training so I am not totally new to it all, but she is definitely different than any dog or puppy I've ever had!


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[Kyleigh]

LMAO ... Oh yes, GSDs are VERY different from any other type of dog you will ever have!!!!

My "dream dog" is a GSD, and I made sure I had loads of "dog" experience before I got Kyleigh. I was prepared better than the "average first time dog owner" but still got my socks knocked off me every now and then!!!

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Capone22

After reading the Velcro dog thread I realized, while I do have a puppy that very much wants to be with me at all times. It's usually not possible. If I am not actively engaging her, ie: playing tug/fetch or training, she is nuts. I couldn't just let her have free roam of the house. She would have to be tied to me. There is no her following me calmly to different areas of the house. Otherwise she would be jumping, running, finding something to chew or chewing me! She's 5 months next week. I either am actively engaging her or she is outside or in her crate or tied to me so I can physically remove her from my arm/leg/hand etc. lol and keep her from hurting the kids. I just figured this is a higher drive, working line dog and is exactly what I signed up for. But just checking to be sure. I do look forward to being able to lounge with her next to me on the couch calmly petting her.


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Heh! Heh! Sounds funny to us others (who have gone thru what you are going thru now)

I have an AM SL male from a very big Kennel and he was a wild puppy - VERY HI ENERGY! (Don't know where he came from as he is also very good in ScH training and tracking and OB)

But he was (and still is) VERY mouthy! But eventually he has Learned very good biter inhibition so he stil mouths a lot but doesn't bite really.

So they do get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, he is now 5yo!

[Capone22]

Originally Posted by Kyleigh

LMAO ... Oh yes, GSDs are VERY different from any other type of dog you will ever have!!!!

My "dream dog" is a GSD, and I made sure I had loads of "dog" experience before I got Kyleigh. I was prepared better than the "average first time dog owner" but still got my socks knocked off me every now and then!!!

That's exactly how I feel. I have much more experience than the average first time owner. But still get surprised haha. It's fun though, and my dream dog also. I adore her personality. She's sooo intelligent. I love to watch her think.


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[Capone22]

Originally Posted by codmaster

Heh! Heh! Sounds funny to us others (who have gone thru what you are going thru now)

I have an AM SL male from a very big Kennel and he was a wild puppy - VERY HI ENERGY! (Don't know where he came from as he is also very good in ScH training and tracking and OB)

But he was (and still is) VERY mouthy! But eventually he has Learned very good biter inhibition so he stil mouths a lot but doesn't bite really.

So they do get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, he is now 5yo!

Oh wow! I wonder if the rest of the litter was that high energy? Glad he's calmed over the years haha


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[Kyleigh]

Originally Posted by Capone22

That's exactly how I feel. I have much more experience than the average first time owner. But still get surprised haha. It's fun though, and my dream dog also. I adore her personality. She's sooo intelligent. I love to watch her think.

It is so much fun (once you get past THAT stage LOL) ... The intelligence is almost scary sometimes, it's like she KNOWS what you want her to do next and anticipates the move ... I screw with her quite a bit just to keep her on her toes ... you might want to try that!

By "messing" with her I mean ... just when she thinks you're going to do something (i.e. throw the ball straight ahead) ... pretend to throw it that way, but then throw it in a different direction.

Or when you're running / walking with her ... run around like a maniac ... change directions, stop, walk slow, walk fast ... but don't do "rote" ... makes her think more, and challenges that oh so non stop brain!!!

And most of all ... have fun with it ... I had a blast coming up with new ways to "mess with her" ... they are so smart that you'll be up til midnight coming up with new ways to outsmart your dog!!!