German Shepherd Puppy - AAAARRRHHH !
Discussion
I grew up with German Shepherds but I can't recall them at the annoying puppy stage
We have a lovely Rottweiler x Mastiff, a fluff ball Bichon Frise and this GS puppy which is 5 months old and a total nightmare
My wife is trying to train it, it's very bright - but it simply won't take no for an answer
It will annoy the RottyX - get bitten, squeal and then do exactly the same thing seconds later
It tried to attack the BF from day 1 (at 8 weeks old) we can't have them in the same room unless the GS is on a lead
It won't let anyone stroke the RottyX - it leaps all over it (and gets bitten)
It's constantly mouthing us - when you stop it / tell it off, it will bark constantly
Essentially it wants it's own way - which it never gets - but it won't learn / back down
I don't recall our other dogs being this "determined"
By itself it will come , sit, down etc but it wants to be top dog despite the constant lessons demonstrating that it isn't
It also constantly chases flies - jumping all over the kitchen cabinets trying to get them
Any strategies that don't involve fire ?
Links to good training advice are welcome
We have a lovely Rottweiler x Mastiff, a fluff ball Bichon Frise and this GS puppy which is 5 months old and a total nightmare
My wife is trying to train it, it's very bright - but it simply won't take no for an answer
It will annoy the RottyX - get bitten, squeal and then do exactly the same thing seconds later
It tried to attack the BF from day 1 (at 8 weeks old) we can't have them in the same room unless the GS is on a lead
It won't let anyone stroke the RottyX - it leaps all over it (and gets bitten)
It's constantly mouthing us - when you stop it / tell it off, it will bark constantly
Essentially it wants it's own way - which it never gets - but it won't learn / back down
I don't recall our other dogs being this "determined"
By itself it will come , sit, down etc but it wants to be top dog despite the constant lessons demonstrating that it isn't
It also constantly chases flies - jumping all over the kitchen cabinets trying to get them
Any strategies that don't involve fire ?
Links to good training advice are welcome
Welcome to owning a high drive dog. It's a lot of "fun" as you are finding out 
German shepherd pups are like this for the first year of their life in general and at 5 months yours will still be teething too which won't be helping things.
They are typically one person centred dogs too. They'll be fine with other people in general but will bond to one person and be defensive of one person. Hence biting/attacking - ours did this, it appeared to hate my partner, in our case it was about building a bond. There wasn't one. My partner took complete control for a few weeks - feeds, walks, training etc and I stepped back. It stopped after that but if it's consistent you should see a trainer.
What sort of bloodlines was it bred from? Working or show? Reputable breeder? People say genetics don't matter in dogs but believe me (I now own four working breed dogs) they do.
I won't give training advice over the internet but would say get a professional balanced trainer involved as early as possible. Roughly where in the country are you? I can recommend a few with breed experience.
German shepherd pups are like this for the first year of their life in general and at 5 months yours will still be teething too which won't be helping things.
They are typically one person centred dogs too. They'll be fine with other people in general but will bond to one person and be defensive of one person. Hence biting/attacking - ours did this, it appeared to hate my partner, in our case it was about building a bond. There wasn't one. My partner took complete control for a few weeks - feeds, walks, training etc and I stepped back. It stopped after that but if it's consistent you should see a trainer.
What sort of bloodlines was it bred from? Working or show? Reputable breeder? People say genetics don't matter in dogs but believe me (I now own four working breed dogs) they do.
I won't give training advice over the internet but would say get a professional balanced trainer involved as early as possible. Roughly where in the country are you? I can recommend a few with breed experience.
Edited by BigHeavy10 on Wednesday 2nd August 14:13
I’d suggest a trainer for advice.
We had a GSD as kids and I remember the (very knowledgable) breeder advising us that you need to let the dog know very early on what the pecking order in the house is.
Your other dogs will do this for themselves, but you need to enforce that you are at the top of that tree.
Patience is key - ensure that you have more than the dog
We had a GSD as kids and I remember the (very knowledgable) breeder advising us that you need to let the dog know very early on what the pecking order in the house is.
Your other dogs will do this for themselves, but you need to enforce that you are at the top of that tree.
Patience is key - ensure that you have more than the dog
Sort in my neck of the woods - We used http://www.deltaonecanines.co.uk/ - Bob has worked with GSD's fro a very long time, so he knows the breed and what they're like.
5 month is very much still land shark territory.. every opportunity to bite something has to be taken.
It's easy to say now that we're at 3years plus.. but keep calm and stay firm.. he'll come good in the end.
5 month is very much still land shark territory.. every opportunity to bite something has to be taken.
It's easy to say now that we're at 3years plus.. but keep calm and stay firm.. he'll come good in the end.
Saf Khan - B6 Dog Training is highly recommended for that area, he really knows his stuff and will travel to you. He's not all about the money, it's about the dogs for him.
As said above, 5 months is still very much landshark get everything territory but it's also the point where you need to crack on with training before it goes from cute puppy landshark to uncontrollable landshark.
The puppy phase is hard. Been there done that but with proper training the breed is a pleasure to own.
Good luck
As said above, 5 months is still very much landshark get everything territory but it's also the point where you need to crack on with training before it goes from cute puppy landshark to uncontrollable landshark.
The puppy phase is hard. Been there done that but with proper training the breed is a pleasure to own.
Good luck
Guessing it's male ? They'll push to be top of the pack , getting him "sorted " will help a lot but you both have to be involved with the training not just your wife . Our latest a GSX rescue male tried very hard to push the boundaries but now just 2 is a great dog and very affectionate with everybody , still does dumb s
t sometimes but nothing with malice . Work with him , very rewarding eventually .
t sometimes but nothing with malice . Work with him , very rewarding eventually .She's a bh 
I've also remembered why I don't recall this stage - my dad bought dogs that were at least a year old - so he could see what he was getting
The first German shepherd was anti men, turned out the previous owner's boyfriend used to give her a kicking and when the dog intervened, it got one too - it didn't give anyone the opportunity to do that once fully grown
The second had been kept in a small garden and used to run in tight circles around everything, chairs, trees, plants the whole garden looked like an alien message with circles everywhere
I'll have a look at the two trainers mentioned, I was just hoping for some good YouTube links - I've learnt so much off there
h I've also remembered why I don't recall this stage - my dad bought dogs that were at least a year old - so he could see what he was getting
The first German shepherd was anti men, turned out the previous owner's boyfriend used to give her a kicking and when the dog intervened, it got one too - it didn't give anyone the opportunity to do that once fully grown
The second had been kept in a small garden and used to run in tight circles around everything, chairs, trees, plants the whole garden looked like an alien message with circles everywhere
I'll have a look at the two trainers mentioned, I was just hoping for some good YouTube links - I've learnt so much off there
The thing is, YouTube is great for general obedience type of stuff but you are having specific issues and from my point of view (a GP dog handler and part time trainer) you need professional help. Saf is highly recommended and doesn't charge alot, it's all about the dogs for him. If you'd like his contact details I can send them to you in private message.
The only other alternative I could recommend is joining Obsidian K9s online academy. There's over 300 videos with a ton of helpful content, free phone consultation with one of his approved trainers and access to his open days. 7 days free trial with no obligation to stay and only £25per month if you decide to stay.
The only other alternative I could recommend is joining Obsidian K9s online academy. There's over 300 videos with a ton of helpful content, free phone consultation with one of his approved trainers and access to his open days. 7 days free trial with no obligation to stay and only £25per month if you decide to stay.
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