I know that I am going to get a lot of responses to this thread that tell me that I need to assert dominance over my dog. I would like you guys to really help me out and tell me exactly how, what games I can play, and whether or not to spank?
My dog named Caesar is a German Shepherd/Husky mix. He is black and white and is an absolutely beautiful dog. My husband and I got him when he was 4 1/2 months old from the pound. I was a little apprehensive because I hear that the time to socialize and train is before 4 months. Anyway, Caesar started out with a nipping problem. Is wasn't a big problem and we thought we were taking care of it...the problem seemed to improve. However, recently (within the last week-in-a-half) things have gone to hell. We got Ceasar neutered almost two weeks ago and it seems like something is going haywire with his emotions right now.
The problem:
Basically, you can be walking Caesar and everything can be fine when he will start sprinting around in figure 8's and running back and forth, back and forth as hard as he can go. I know this is not from lack of exercise and he gets a walk in the morning, midday, and then is outside with us from around 5:00 until 9:00 at night. We let him run around our six acres as long as he stays within the boundaries. Anyway, when he is sprinting around, if you tell him to come, he will start in a dead sprint straight at you. Then he will swerve at the last minute, turn around, and jump up at you and bite you somewhere HARD. Not hard enough to break the skin, but HARD. He will then land and bite, jump and bite until I try to get him under control. Notice the try. I have tried these methods...ignoring him, telling him to sit (I'm in control), walking away, and telling him NO in a loud, firm voice. None of them work. I can't ignore him because he is biting so if I turn my back on him he bites my calf. The sit doesn't work because he will obey but when I reach out my hand for a pat and a good dog he bites me again HARD. Walking away doesn't work because he will try and cut me off (major herding instinct) and keep biting me. Today, I decided that I need to do something as I had to call my husband (whom he respects) to get him away from me. Basically, getting him under control, involves a little bit of choking with the leash/collar and then we take him back to the kennel. Tonight that didn't work because he kept grabbing the leash so I couldn't reign him in. My husband had to resort to whacking him to get him to obey which we don't want to do as we don't want a timid dog.
I am calling around tomorrow to find an obedience school. What should I look for?
What are everyday things that I can do with him to show him that I am boss and that's okay? I am a good leader and will not hurt him. He needs to follow my leadership. etc.
Is there anything I can play with him. He doesn't really like fetch. He gets bored with it after three or four throws. Tag is out as he likes to herd and the running really gets him going (psycho bite/attack/herd mode). I saw someone mention an obstacle course. How does one go about setting that up?
Our dog is an outside dog. We built him an enclosed fenced-in area that is a pretty good size. He also can get in our 24x24 attached garage where his bed resides.
Please help...
My dog named Caesar is a German Shepherd/Husky mix. He is black and white and is an absolutely beautiful dog. My husband and I got him when he was 4 1/2 months old from the pound. I was a little apprehensive because I hear that the time to socialize and train is before 4 months. Anyway, Caesar started out with a nipping problem. Is wasn't a big problem and we thought we were taking care of it...the problem seemed to improve. However, recently (within the last week-in-a-half) things have gone to hell. We got Ceasar neutered almost two weeks ago and it seems like something is going haywire with his emotions right now.
The problem:
Basically, you can be walking Caesar and everything can be fine when he will start sprinting around in figure 8's and running back and forth, back and forth as hard as he can go. I know this is not from lack of exercise and he gets a walk in the morning, midday, and then is outside with us from around 5:00 until 9:00 at night. We let him run around our six acres as long as he stays within the boundaries. Anyway, when he is sprinting around, if you tell him to come, he will start in a dead sprint straight at you. Then he will swerve at the last minute, turn around, and jump up at you and bite you somewhere HARD. Not hard enough to break the skin, but HARD. He will then land and bite, jump and bite until I try to get him under control. Notice the try. I have tried these methods...ignoring him, telling him to sit (I'm in control), walking away, and telling him NO in a loud, firm voice. None of them work. I can't ignore him because he is biting so if I turn my back on him he bites my calf. The sit doesn't work because he will obey but when I reach out my hand for a pat and a good dog he bites me again HARD. Walking away doesn't work because he will try and cut me off (major herding instinct) and keep biting me. Today, I decided that I need to do something as I had to call my husband (whom he respects) to get him away from me. Basically, getting him under control, involves a little bit of choking with the leash/collar and then we take him back to the kennel. Tonight that didn't work because he kept grabbing the leash so I couldn't reign him in. My husband had to resort to whacking him to get him to obey which we don't want to do as we don't want a timid dog.
I am calling around tomorrow to find an obedience school. What should I look for?
What are everyday things that I can do with him to show him that I am boss and that's okay? I am a good leader and will not hurt him. He needs to follow my leadership. etc.
Is there anything I can play with him. He doesn't really like fetch. He gets bored with it after three or four throws. Tag is out as he likes to herd and the running really gets him going (psycho bite/attack/herd mode). I saw someone mention an obstacle course. How does one go about setting that up?
Our dog is an outside dog. We built him an enclosed fenced-in area that is a pretty good size. He also can get in our 24x24 attached garage where his bed resides.
Please help...