My dog has some issues, how can i get him to stop?

Question

I have a 10 month old german shepherd (male) and he is COMPLETELY different than my 14 yr old.... he is A LOT rougher and mouths A LOT we he plays..... but he is EXTREMELY smart But EXTREMELY stubborn at the same time.... I don't have money to "waste" excuse my choice of words..... on training with a professional....

There are a few "things wrong with him, that i would like to correct but don't know where to begin..."

- When he plays he is rough and mouths

- When you play fetch he brings back the toy but only after chasing him for a few minutes to get it back ( sort of like only when he is ready to et it thrown again....)

- He is afriad of other people..... He barks and runs away

- When people run in the yard he chases people ( in a completlety playing manner) but acts as though he has "caught you".....

- He pulls on a leash.....

- and he get to rough with our older dog with artritis

how can i fix or train him out of this..... he is at the puppy stage where he only pays attention when he wants to.......

but the BIGGEST issue is getting him to stop being afraid of other people... what if he get loose one day and bites someone becase he's afriad....

Answer 1

try dog training classes- petsmart offers some good ones-

it is much cheaper to train him, then it is to settle a lawsuit if he hurts someone or their pet, or child

Answer 2

You need to start training him yourself.  First step is to let him know to be nice, that's enough, slow down and all the other good manners that you taught your first GS.  We have 2 GS dogs, 1 is 2 1/2 the other is 8 months old and a beagle/mix that is 4 along with 1 cat.

The mouthing is getting less and less in our home because we are constant with No.  You need to show him that you are the boss/Alpha Dog.  Your other GS will let the pup know when he's being too rough.  Our beagle does that with both GS dogs.

You need to put him on a leash and really socialize him more and let him know it's not acceptable to run after people even though he doesn't mean harm.  He's protecting you and without knowledge of how to act he'll continue to do this even though you don't want him too.

You need to be in control of him--not him of you.

Answer 3

Okay, your dog's biggest "issue" is your inability to be the alpha pack member in the house.

I see he has you trained to chase him around and get the toy back.  What fun for him!

He has also trained you to run around so he can catch you.  What a clever boy!

This is a young, rambunctious puppy, and I see no indication that you have the knowledge or the experience to deal with an animal like this.  Have him neutered, then enroll in professional obedience classes to teach you methods of correcting his behavior as well as socializing him with other dogs and people.

If you do not have money to "waste" teaching this dog to be a safe, sane member of society, then please consider giving him up to someone who does.

Answer 4

I bet if he does get loose and bites someone, you may not think it was "wasting" money on training!  This is a strong personality dog and you need training to be the leader of the pack!  Its not going to get better unless you do something about it now.

Answer 5

It's never a waste of time to call on a professional an 'in home' professional its' a few bucks to have one come to your home and see what is going on but definitely, Yes. Especially when you got a dog that is not respecting you and just the pulling on the leash says he does not.

Answer 6

10 months it might be too late. did you play rough with him as a pup. if you did he will be aggresive. thats one thing you just never want to do. and with an aggresive dog> german shepard pits . rotts. dobbs. << you got the picture.. i had a red healer and played tugg of war with her she got real mean. and a sale man came in the yard. ran over the dog.  which was not good. but man there was no control. . i was told not to play rough. when they are young.  

Answer 7

Rough and mouths: say no in a stern voice. dont let him have the toy. and ignore him. dont put the toy somewhere where he cant reach. then it'll be like youre teasing him. instead, keep the toy in a toy bucket or something.

Fetch: when ur playing fetch, throw the toy. he'll get it and you say come here. he should come. when he comes give him a treat. he'll soon get the hang of fetch.

Afraid of Other People: you have to socialize him without interacting. take him for walks around lots of people, let him put his head out the car, or just take him and stand in front of grocery stores so he can see and get used to people without interacting with them.

Chasing People in the Yard: dont run around in the yard. any dog would think ur just playing. hes still a puppy and very immature.

Pulls on Leash: you take control of the walk. when he pulls, say No and keep walking.

Rough with Older Dog: when hes getting rough with the older dog, pull him away, say No, and put him in a separate room for 5 minutes.

When you come through the door, back from work, ignore him for 5 minutes. this will show him ur the boss, and he'll listen to u more. it'll make his training easier. dont show him too much attention. once in a while, look down and say hi! dont go to him to say hi. make him come to you. make it clear that you're the alpha and hes the beta. good luck!

Answer 8

I'm not sure where you live but here in Australia we are able to attend Obedience training with our dogs through a local Dog Obedience Club, for a small cost.  I pay $4 a night for my 2 dogs and handlers to attend.  If you have anything similar near where you live I would strongly suggest you take your puppy there as it obviously needs to be socialised asap.  Also, they teach you how to train your dog - they don't do it for you.  I have successfully trained several dogs in the past using these classes.  As with anything, what you get out of your dog is what you are prepared to put into it.  I have a 5 month old Belgian Shepherd Malinois who has been to puppy preschool and to puppy classes at the local Obedience club.  

I won't presume to give you training tips, I will leave that for those more qualified, and with more time, than I.

Answer 9

you cant compare two dogs

they have different personalities, like people

Answer 10

well, its best to teach him commands while he's on a leash tug it & give the command & firmly force him to do what u want him to do. then pet him & praise him when he does what u want him 2 do... i don't know what to do about his fear... have the person give him a treat & while he's eating it, let the person pet him so he gets used 2 thm? i dunno...