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This is something that bothers me on a daily basis. Timber is almost 5 months old and it seems I keep searching for answers but not getting the answer I REALLY need. Wheather I look it up or come here asking ya'll.
Since Timber was a baby, baby I have been perplexed about how to handle/correct when Timber is in an excited mode and he either chases someone (usually my 4 year old) down the hallway, puts his front feet up on the couch to try to bite/play with whoever is sitting there (again, usually the 4 year old) or when he wont stop acting like a hooligan. Sometimes I really feel like he is trying to show ME that he is boss eventhough is kinda in play. Ive known from day one that this behaviour needed to be addressed quickly and with consistance.
So, I would come here for answers, watch Caesar or Victoria, go to youtube and asking our trainer at puppy class what to do. Still, Im not happy with the outcome thus far.
Here is the situations and actions Ive taken so far.
When we stop and ignore the chasing/biting behaviour, Timber will stop as well but as soon as we start walking again or resume what we were doing, then Timber resumes trying to bite/bark/jump/chase. Whichever. Ive tried distracting/re-diverting him with toys but feel like Im rewarding something I dont like. There are a good deal of times, Timber will pick up one of his toys instead of biting/chasing. But a lot of the times I feel a battle getting ready to start. So, in that case most of the time he will go in his crate for about 5 minutes and he settles down. I know we arent supposed to use crates for time outs. But as far as Timber is concerned, I view it as a moment to settle and he does. By the way, I NEVER EVER leave Timber alone with Aidan my 4 year old. They are usually seperated by a baby gate unless Im present so that I can correct a problem as soon as it happens.
Now.....like I said, Ive asked the trainer and watch Caesar and Victoria.
Both the trainer and Caesar suggest someting I KNOW doesnt work, but I feel as though it should because its a good way of speaking doggies language. They suggest grabbing the dog by the scruff or on the neck on each side of the head until they settle down, then you can release them. An example is I was watching Caesar the other night about having wolf hybrids. And the lady who studied and worked with wild wolves used this method as well on the show. She would grab the scruff, stand over the dog and growl until it calmed down and it worked instantly!!!! This does NOT work with Timber. Im sure Its probably something I must be doing wrong. When I do it, Timber fights me. He fights the hold and it almost seems to start a vicious cycle. Once I let him go, as soon as he gets back on his feet, he goes to bite again. I feel it puts him in an excited state. After watching that episode with the wolf hybrids the other night, I tried this method again this morning as my 4 year old and myself were watching t.v. We were sitting on seperate couches and Timber started to put his front feet up there to try to initiate play with Aidan. He instantly got the OFF command. He got off. But then he got back on again and I told him off once more. And he did. But then he was sitting there giving Aidan the stare so I told Timber to leave it. He didnt. So, I tried the scruff hold and it just got ugly from there. I saw it was going nowhere so I took Timber by his collar and put him in his crate for 5 minutes. I brought him back out and put him behind the baby gate in the kitchen/dinning room area. That is Timber's main play place when I cant totally watch him all the time. So now he is chilled out and sleeping.
One of the other things Ive done is put Timber on the lead with the prong collar. All it took was a couple prong corrections when Timber would react or chase when Aidan ran/walked by. So now Timber behaves very well when he's on the lead in the house. But when I take it off, its a question of when Timber will start acting like a butthead. Somedays he doesnt and its wonderful.
I really feel like Im too close to the situation to see it in a different way. What I want is someone who's been there done that to say "yeah, my pup used to do that and was defiant and this is how I corrected it". This behaviour cannot go on any longer. I promised to NEVER give up on this dog. I have so much time, money and emotions wrapped up in the gift of a GSD!!! He really pleases me and makes me soooooo happy sometimes. I feel honored to finally have a GSD in the house. Ive learned soooooo much as far as training him is concerned. But if this behaviour continues, it could be a deal breaker. And that is sad and pitiful because I KNOW its not Timber's fault, but mine!!! I refuse to give up.
Somebody please, please help me. Ive run out of trying to find trainers in my area to help me address behaviour modifications. There is not much available to me now unless I go through Petsmart/Petco. No waaaaay!!!
Ive always heard people say they grew up with GSD's but going on my experience right now, I wish I would have waited till Aidan was older. Most of our doggie offenses happen because of prey drive with Aidan.
My other huge concern is Timbers prey drive with cats and small dogs. But thats another topic for another day.
Please someone help me!!!!
Since Timber was a baby, baby I have been perplexed about how to handle/correct when Timber is in an excited mode and he either chases someone (usually my 4 year old) down the hallway, puts his front feet up on the couch to try to bite/play with whoever is sitting there (again, usually the 4 year old) or when he wont stop acting like a hooligan. Sometimes I really feel like he is trying to show ME that he is boss eventhough is kinda in play. Ive known from day one that this behaviour needed to be addressed quickly and with consistance.
So, I would come here for answers, watch Caesar or Victoria, go to youtube and asking our trainer at puppy class what to do. Still, Im not happy with the outcome thus far.
Here is the situations and actions Ive taken so far.
When we stop and ignore the chasing/biting behaviour, Timber will stop as well but as soon as we start walking again or resume what we were doing, then Timber resumes trying to bite/bark/jump/chase. Whichever. Ive tried distracting/re-diverting him with toys but feel like Im rewarding something I dont like. There are a good deal of times, Timber will pick up one of his toys instead of biting/chasing. But a lot of the times I feel a battle getting ready to start. So, in that case most of the time he will go in his crate for about 5 minutes and he settles down. I know we arent supposed to use crates for time outs. But as far as Timber is concerned, I view it as a moment to settle and he does. By the way, I NEVER EVER leave Timber alone with Aidan my 4 year old. They are usually seperated by a baby gate unless Im present so that I can correct a problem as soon as it happens.
Now.....like I said, Ive asked the trainer and watch Caesar and Victoria.
Both the trainer and Caesar suggest someting I KNOW doesnt work, but I feel as though it should because its a good way of speaking doggies language. They suggest grabbing the dog by the scruff or on the neck on each side of the head until they settle down, then you can release them. An example is I was watching Caesar the other night about having wolf hybrids. And the lady who studied and worked with wild wolves used this method as well on the show. She would grab the scruff, stand over the dog and growl until it calmed down and it worked instantly!!!! This does NOT work with Timber. Im sure Its probably something I must be doing wrong. When I do it, Timber fights me. He fights the hold and it almost seems to start a vicious cycle. Once I let him go, as soon as he gets back on his feet, he goes to bite again. I feel it puts him in an excited state. After watching that episode with the wolf hybrids the other night, I tried this method again this morning as my 4 year old and myself were watching t.v. We were sitting on seperate couches and Timber started to put his front feet up there to try to initiate play with Aidan. He instantly got the OFF command. He got off. But then he got back on again and I told him off once more. And he did. But then he was sitting there giving Aidan the stare so I told Timber to leave it. He didnt. So, I tried the scruff hold and it just got ugly from there. I saw it was going nowhere so I took Timber by his collar and put him in his crate for 5 minutes. I brought him back out and put him behind the baby gate in the kitchen/dinning room area. That is Timber's main play place when I cant totally watch him all the time. So now he is chilled out and sleeping.
One of the other things Ive done is put Timber on the lead with the prong collar. All it took was a couple prong corrections when Timber would react or chase when Aidan ran/walked by. So now Timber behaves very well when he's on the lead in the house. But when I take it off, its a question of when Timber will start acting like a butthead. Somedays he doesnt and its wonderful.
I really feel like Im too close to the situation to see it in a different way. What I want is someone who's been there done that to say "yeah, my pup used to do that and was defiant and this is how I corrected it". This behaviour cannot go on any longer. I promised to NEVER give up on this dog. I have so much time, money and emotions wrapped up in the gift of a GSD!!! He really pleases me and makes me soooooo happy sometimes. I feel honored to finally have a GSD in the house. Ive learned soooooo much as far as training him is concerned. But if this behaviour continues, it could be a deal breaker. And that is sad and pitiful because I KNOW its not Timber's fault, but mine!!! I refuse to give up.
Somebody please, please help me. Ive run out of trying to find trainers in my area to help me address behaviour modifications. There is not much available to me now unless I go through Petsmart/Petco. No waaaaay!!!
Ive always heard people say they grew up with GSD's but going on my experience right now, I wish I would have waited till Aidan was older. Most of our doggie offenses happen because of prey drive with Aidan.
My other huge concern is Timbers prey drive with cats and small dogs. But thats another topic for another day.
Please someone help me!!!!