Help? She's still...

Originally Posted By: Tacoma123Walks are an hour 2x's a day in the week, and on weekends we're running, walking, swimming at the lake. we're out for about 5+hrs.

Tacoma was sent up for training and my parents are against everything we have done with her. They've never had anything like a Shepherd. So they REFUSE to use a prong collar to walk her, anything! Nothing changes their minds. It's very frustrating actually.

And no lie, My parents really don't like her, and I guess she picks up on that. She's too smart

Click to expand...

I'll give my opinion. Stop as much interaction as possible between your parents and the dog. They will undo all of your efforts. Crate the dog when you're gone until she's older. Currently you are spending TWO HOURS per week day walking her and it's not enough which means it's time to change what you consider exercise. I have two high energy, high drive working line Schutzhund dogs. I have absolutely no shot at providing them two hours of exercise per weekday. It would never happen. I provide them with about 20 minutes of intense work every or every other day surrounded by walks of 10-30 minutes on the "off days". You are human, and you can only dedicate so much time to your dog. Make it count. Get a long line and a ball launcher http://leerburg.com/898.htm#doubleplay. At the end of every training session I work on recalls with this. The launcher can get the ball out a good 30-40 yards without any real effort from me. They fly out to get the ball, and when they get it I run the opposite way and call them. Once they get close to me I tell them to out the ball for another ball or a bite on a tug. If the field is big enough, you can lauch a ball in the opposite direction. 5 or 6 of these will "blow out" the energy of a GSD in peak physical condition and really get their tongue wagging. Give it a try, 20 minutes of obedience and rigorous exercise and maybe 20 minute of walking. Then enjoy the rest of your evening with a worn out dog.

Originally Posted By: littledmcShe is pissed off that you are gone

Click to expand...

I don't believe this. I think we have to be careful about assuming what our dogs are thinking. It just gets in the way of what we're trying to accomplish.

Originally Posted By: ZuesGSD
Currently you are spending TWO HOURS per week day walking her and it's not enough which means it's time to change what you consider exercise.

Click to expand...

John is right. Two hours a week is not enough. Walks are not enough even if you walked her two hours a day. A few months ago, someone started a thread asking "how much do you exercise your GSD?" Most of us answered somewhere in the range of 2-3 hours, which included a lot of vigorous (cardiovascular, running) exercise. Get up earlier. Hire a dog walker. Come home during lunch. Stay up late.

Some nights, we're out there at midnight exercising our GSD. When we have to get an early start on days, we exercise him at 4am. Running is always better than walking. But walks keep your dog from being bored with the same old routine. It's part of the life of owning a GSD. Sorry. There's no easy way around it. A Tired Dog is a Good Dog. The others are right. She's chewing because she's bored. Molly'sMom gives you lots of good idea. We play fetch, soccer, frisbee, Find It games in our backyard, anything new and different and interesting.

Tire Tacoma out and let her snooze in her crate all day. She'll be a model citizen, and a pleasure to live with, regardless of what your parents do or don't do.