Forum Replies Created

Page 2 of 4
  • Beth

    Member
    February 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM in reply to: Treibball

    This video is of Gibson practicing “Bye & Away” in a figure 8 between 2 balls in our basement. We are working up to things gradually and are now learning to touch the ball and do “Bye and Away” behind 2 balls in a row.

    <iframe title=”vimeo-player” src=”https://player.vimeo.com/video/510248724″ width=”640″ height=”1137″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

  • Beth

    Member
    January 26, 2021 at 9:41 AM in reply to: 13-Week German Shepherd Biting

    From what I have researched, puppy bite inhibition training has to be done before the time window of 18 weeks closes. This is when the puppy learns what is too hard and to back off or stop. We found this information at 16.5 weeks and were able to get it done and Gibson is great with his mouth. Sit down on floor with puppy and have treats with you. When puppy bites or mouths whether it is your skin or your clothes (they don’t really know the difference at that age for sure), say ow, but say it in a monotone voice, do not try to sound like a hurt dog, this doesn’t work. Say it firmly enough to get a reaction, but don’t over do it to the point of scaring the pup. As soon as the pup releases it’s mouth give praise and treat. Do this a number of times in succession, but if the pup gets too excited and can’t get out of bite mode, calmly get up and walk away from the pup into a different room and close the door for about 30 seconds to a minute. This removes the good, interesting treat filled play person from the pup and the pup will begin to understand that the excessive play removes their fun from them. when you come back out, you can work on it a little bit more so that you end the session on success and then put the pup away in the crate or an x pen for a while. One important point that I forgot to write. When the pup bites hold still, do not jerk away. Wait for the pup to release the bite then praise and treat. Pulling away will amp up the play/prey drive and make the biting worse.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 23, 2021 at 12:21 PM in reply to: How has your dog(s) impacted you and your lifestyle

    I totally agree with your take. I have lost 30 lbs. this year in large part through the exercise and motivation of caring for our pup. He has saved my life almost quite literally. I was in a very dark time and caring for him and walking with him has saved me. He is my life saver, but shhh… don’t tell him that or it will go to his head.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 21, 2021 at 11:17 AM in reply to: Our past Dogs

    Came across this pic today of our dog when I was a teenager. She was a good one. It made me smile. We got her when she was 4 from a family we knew that lived in town and just didn’t think they should keep her with their small yard and baby on the way. Sam (Samantha) came out to the farm and our original dog Cleo (also GSD) showed her the ropes. One of the first things she did was find and kill a little bitty black mouse that she sniffed out under a board. She didn’t eat it, thankfully, but tossed it around quite a bit. She loved hunting and she was so fast that she could catch the odd rabbit here and there. She and Cleo would corner racoons in the barn and my dad would make sure to take care of it before the racoon hurt them. They were excellent farm dogs and fantastic pets. They were not aggressive toward any people, though they did bark at strangers. Two GSD coming at you barking is enough to scare off the correct people most of the time. They were all bark and no bite, but we would not have wanted it any other way. wish I had a pic of Cleo, I used to sit with her as a child and tell her all my thoughts and she would look at me intently and I swore that she understood everything I said.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 21, 2021 at 10:36 AM in reply to: Puppy Biting

    From what I have researched, puppy bite inhibition training has to be done before the time window of 18 weeks closes. This is when the puppy learns what is too hard and to back off or stop. We found this information at 16.5 weeks and were able to get it done and Gibson is great with his mouth. Sit down on floor with puppy and have treats with you. When puppy bites or mouths whether it is your skin or your clothes (they don’t really know the difference at that age for sure), say ow, but say it in a monotone voice, do not try to sound like a hurt dog, this doesn’t work. Say it firmly enough to get a reaction, but don’t over do it to the point of scaring the pup. As soon as the pup releases it’s mouth give praise and treat. Do this a number of times in succession, but if the pup gets too excited and can’t get out of bite mode, calmly get up and walk away from the pup into a different room and close the door for about 30 seconds to a minute. This removes the good, interesting treat filled play person from the pup and the pup will begin to understand that the excessive play removes their fun from them. when you come back out, you can work on it a little bit more so that you end the session on success and then put the pup away in the crate or an x pen for a while.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 20, 2021 at 9:54 PM in reply to: Police Officer & K9 KIA

    Just thought, would we need to set up a separate go fund me or should we just post the vested interest donation page link for people to go to?

  • Beth

    Member
    January 20, 2021 at 9:52 PM in reply to: Police Officer & K9 KIA

    That’s a great idea.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 18, 2021 at 7:35 AM in reply to: Site Updates & Feedback

    The community page shows that there are 2 pages of discussions to look at but if I click the “2” or the arrow, it sends me to the website landing page if you aren’t signed in.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 21, 2021 at 10:51 AM in reply to: Puppy Biting

    One important point that I forgot to write. When the pup bites hold still, do not jerk away. Wait for the pup to release the bite then praise and treat. Pulling away will amp up the play/prey drive and make the biting worse.

  • Beth

    Member
    January 21, 2021 at 10:45 AM in reply to: Puppy Biting

    I don’t think it really matters what is actually said. Ow is shorter than no bite and to me a more natural human reaction, so I found it easier to say. It’s totally up to you. I don’t think the pup knows the difference. However, if the pup has already heard the no or no bite and it hasn’t worked properly, maybe a change in wording would help. Have you been doing it in sessions with treats like a training session?

Page 2 of 4