What advice can you offer?

1028 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Sherush, May 20, 2008

leigh_e_c

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2008

I'm obviously reading through posts but slowly as I have birth and foster kids in the house as well as other stuff so Im not picking up as much as I want to straight away so I can learn more about Dexter/training/socializing/foods to give etc etc etc so Im asking for your advice on what to do and whats best in your opinions please..

I keep being given lots of advice from other dog owners but Im unsure cos obviously thats their way that works but as Im new Im asking the masses..lol.

For example..theres a german woman at my sons school who says I should give Dexter an egg a day as the yolk is good for his fur and the albumen is good for his teeth and bones?

That I should train him without a leash rather than with a leash while we're out walking...but as he's a big,bouncy dog (who sounds deep and grown up already when he barks,lol) he scares people easily if he bounces their way which I dont want which is why Im using the leash to have him learn that way..?

That I should get a voice-box thing that goes on his collar to stop him barking...it omits an ultrasonic sound that dogs can hear but it doesnt hurt in any way?

And more..

So...whats your tips on what I should/could be doing with my 5mth old GSD called Dexter?

Whats good in your opinion?

I take Dexter for walks 3-4 times a day to the field/school runs/local walks.
Hes on a mixture of puppy food and junior food as the puppy food was making his poo runny.
He walks well on his lead apart from always swapping sides and trying to trip me up Im sure,lol.
He has a cage of his own that the kids dont climb inside cos its Dexters space.
He has outside and inside toys.He gets played with lots n lots by me/OH/kids.

I obviously want to do everything properly for Dexter and value everyones advice at this stage cos you all sound like you've have dogs forever..

Whats your best advice?

xx

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Brightelf

· #2 · Apr 18, 2008

Leigh, I think you are doing a GREAT job with sweetie Dexter! Welcome to the forum, by the way. It really sounds like you are doing a super job with him, and it is wonderful that you are open to ideas and input.

My thinking is: If puppyfood makes his poo runny, than something as rich as an egg per day would be possibly too rough on his digestion and pancreas, and you'd get really runny poo. Dexter could also be put on an adult food and grow just fine-- in fact, it would prevent him from getting panosteitis (when the ends of the long bones become inflamed in large breed puppies, usually around 7 months of age), and the lower fat content would mean Dexter's digestion may take to the adult food better. (Many if not most of us on the forum feed our puppies only adult food, never puppy food)

Good for you for having Dexter on the lead for now. You want to enforce any command you may give, so he doesn't learn that he can ignore you as an option when something fascinating comes into view on walks. You can always use a dragline-- a loooonnnng cotton webbing or nylon lead of about 20 feet, and begin teaching distance 'Come.' (you can even do this cheaply with just using an old clothesline you attach a swivel snap clip to the end of)

Do you have Dexter in classes yet? He sounds like a great dog, you sound like a really caring owner!

I look forward to Dexter pictures, too.

Again-- welcome!

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DSudd

· #3 · Apr 18, 2008

I always walk Rocky on a leash. Not only to prevent him from wandering to far, but also for his protection.

The only time he wears a collar is if we are gong for a walk or taking him somewhere in public.

I wouldn't use a bark collar unless absolutely necessary. Rocky will bark from time to time but he has been trained to stop if we command him to. IMO if he wears the bark collar and learns not to bark, if you need him to, he won't.

When we got Rocky we started him on puppy for tempoarily. (A couple months). We did put him on adult food at around 4 months. Not sure if it is related by there was a 6 month period where he had several problems with Pano.

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DianaM

· #4 · Apr 18, 2008

I think you're doing great. Smile and nod to everyone who is shoving opinions down your throat (except for us on the board, we're all cool.

)

Eggs are good for dogs and I give mine eggs almost every day but he is on the raw diet (meats, organs, miscellaneous, no kibble). Perhaps someone who feeds kibble AND eggs could advise you better on that.

If you're interested in finding out what you could do further, do lots of training and socializing! Continue taking Dexter places and make sure he sees LOTS of people- men, women, kids, babies, people of all races, seniors, people in wheelchairs or walkers, people in large coats and holding umbrellas, big hats, big beards, loud people, tall people, short people, skinny people, big people, etc. Expose him to lots of loud noises and traffic situations, and always make all encounters FUN! Allow him to meet other dogs, but only those that are CALM and under complete control by another intelligent owner- you don't want to risk an attack or an exuberant dog overwhelming your puppy. As for training, consider attending an obedience class that focuses on training owners how to train their dogs, one that uses motivational methods to teach and implements appropriate corrections as needed. Sit in on a class to make sure you like what you see, then sign up.

Other than that, stay the course! You're doing well.

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Sherush

· #5 · May 20, 2008

Originally Posted By: DianaMIf you're interested in finding out what you could do further, do lots of training and socializing! Continue taking Dexter places and make sure he sees LOTS of people- men, women, kids, babies, people of all races, seniors, people in wheelchairs or walkers, people in large coats and holding umbrellas, big hats, big beards, loud people, tall people, short people, skinny people, big people, etc. Expose him to lots of loud noises and traffic situations, and always make all encounters FUN! Allow him to meet other dogs, but only those that are CALM and under complete control by another intelligent owner- you don't want to risk an attack or an exuberant dog overwhelming your puppy. As for training, consider attending an obedience class that focuses on training owners how to train their dogs, one that uses motivational methods to teach and implements appropriate corrections as needed. Sit in on a class to make sure you like what you see, then sign up.

Other than that, stay the course! You're doing well.

Agree fully, GSD needs heavy socialization and a very early start to it and training (positive training).

Jesse was on large breed puppy food to 4 months then switched to adult food - Timberwolf - with low protein and he gets eggs every couple of days as well.

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