been a pretty good boy, he has always been reactive when it comes to other dogs getting really close but it was always just him freezing up and looking for a second until I made the correction to keep on with our walk.

I don't even know what that means in an 11 m old dog. He IS great with other dogs? Or he's not.

More importantly, since you got him (a puppy?) what have you been doing to socialize him around other other pups and play with other pups and have a normal relationship with other dogs in his world?

How did the puppy classes go?

How did the obedience classes go?

What dogs is he doing well and you can trust him with and when does he not do as well?

I've got a 9 m old and from the day she hit my house it's been ALL about socializing and keeping her great where she's great and working with her when she is NOT. And she is NOT perfect (but getting there!).

So what have you done? What's working well? Of the hundreds of dogs/people she's met what's the best she's been doing?

How far along are you with ---> http://www.germanshepherds.com/foru...welcome-gsd-faqs-first-time-owner/191183-top-training-expectations-puppies.html

If you have been using the clicker

 

He always was great with dogs off leash. He used to go to the dog park a bunch and he was perfect. Then I read up on things and I stopped taking him there. My trainer also suggested to keep him away from dog parks. So now he really doesn't get around to other dogs unless it's on Saturday at his obedience classes.

While he is at obedience class he is perfect. He is actually the youngest dog there and the most behaved. But I think that dog at petco shook him up and that's why he jumped towards the dog on his walk today... Atleast that is my theory at the moment.

I don't know how to socialize him with other dogs really because I don't know any well behaved dogs around me and I don't want to take him back to dog parks.

 

And what I meant to say is that he was always good with dogs, he was always a little skittish at first and would just stop in his tracks and stare at first. Then he would go up to them politely and play! Never any bad behavior until now and NEVER and growls or barks..

 

When I go to dog classes I make friends with the other people and the 'good' dogs and we make playdates.

I'm lucky I have my pups littermate in the area, but 2 weeks ago we had a playdate with a pitbull another friend has and she has a huge fenced in yard. We met up at a doggy event (there are TONS of places/fairs/events this time of year you can take dogs) and then drove to her house.

There are restaurants that have outdoor seating you can meet after dog class to just hang, eat a meal, and have your dog out!

There are different types of dog classes too. Agility, boxwork, flyball, rally, herding, tracking.... so many different dogs and so many different PEOPLE!

Using treats, using the clicker. Making weekly time on the calendar that you know you will be out and about. If you dog is too reactive now, just go anyways but stay further in the distance where your dog is comfortable and having fun.

PLAY PLAY PLAY! Have you got a great handle of the 'engagement' part of training? http://www.germanshepherds.com/foru...com/forum/welcome-gsd-faqs-first-time-owner/162230-engagement-key-training.html

Just do a google search for 'dog friendly events' and I came up with tons just randomly selecting in VA http://www.novadogmagazine.com/mydogrules/events/categoryevents/2-northern-virginia-events

 

Yea I guess I should be a little more active in seeking for buddies for him. I guess it's just the fact that im a 19 year old guy and everyone else in my class is older women they sort of stay to themselves and Dettmer and I are sort of new. Lol I will try to ENGAGE in conversation with them for Dettmer! Lol

He loves training time! He loves learning and is very interested in pleasing me. We usually go outside to play/traning 3 times a day. I make sure to keep the training sessions short and immediately reward him with a big game of tug and fetch. I don't think that is the problem but who knows! Im new to this breed so please tell me if I need to change anything no offense will be taken!

 

You are doing well but you can do GREAT!!!

It's great to start teaching/training in the yard but you need to then QUICKLY take that training (including the tugging/play) out into the world.

There is a ton of great info if you have time to go thru it on http://www.germanshepherds.com/foru...welcome-gsd-faqs-first-time-owner/191183-top-training-expectations-puppies.html

 

Well thank you, I try to do my best towards him. Today was rough because I've never seen my big guy do that before! But I will just keep working with him if that's all you think it is gunna take. Do you mean I should bring a tug toy to play with him in public settings like petco and things like that?

 

I always have a tug with me. It really helped with my dog's reactivity. I also stopped giving him corrections and instead was more proactive and engaging with him before he reacted. He is now 99% non-reactive. It seemed like exposure to other dogs without reacting while being given another activity to focus on was the key to discouraging his reactivity.

 

I think more socialization with dogs would help. I also carry treats with me everywhere, when I see a runner, another dog, etc. I pull of the treat and get his attention until we pass the distraction. Not sure how this will be weened off, but for now, I don't mind doing it.

 

I take tons of treats with me everytime I go out on socialization/training trips. But also a toy.

The treats for tons of rewards constantly when out and about and if adding some training.

The toy is for a few BIG rewards and interactions a bit more away from the fray If my dog can tug and play then that means she's relaxed and having fun and that's what I want when out in the world (a relaxed dog having fun).

 

I have the ME videos, it took for ever to get my boy to play tug with me, but he finally did. He still gives up the tug too quickly, so I have to beat him to it and let him have it to "let him win"..I don't usually bring a toy out with me in public, but I will stat taking it to the woods. When I call him, he gets to bit and tug...reinforces the recall a bit.

 

Yea I will start bringing his tug out with us. I will make sure to start bringing treats on our walks also. I have recently been teaching him "leave it" , so I will be able to reward him for when he follows that command during our walks.

 

Am definitely going to try this!! Thank you guys for all the advice! It's exactly what I needed after today. I sort of felt discouraged but now I'm ready to work hard and try something different for him!

 

Dog training supplies - Dog toys & leashes for interactive, agility and motivational dog training. Dog training supplies - Dog toys & leashes for interactive, agility and motivational dog training.

And you can make your own too

 

So I would like to tell everyone about my immediate success today with Dettmer. However all I have to say is THE POWER OF TUG IS AMAZING! Lmao

I would like to thank God for putting such a beautiful thing on this planet! Lol