I have a 3 year old pure bred Intact female German Shepherd that I just got in December 2008. At first she seemed calm and easy to train. I don't think I can train her. Please help.

Question

Hi I have a question, I have a 3 year old pure bred Intact female German Shepherd that I just got in December 2008 well at first she seen calm and easy to train. She is pretty smart with learning but then later on I notice she has prey drive. Well her prey drives got stronger I don't want to re home her into a family home or people who just don't know what to do or how to handle her. She was $XXXX and now I feel like I can't rehome her with that price. I am waiting on her registered papers to come from Texas. I would like to rehome her for $XXXX but only to experience handlers like K9 trainers or Police Officers who have the long term experience... I can train her to my best acknowledge but when it comes to dogs she is after everything sometimes she sees the arms as prey. It would cost thousands just to train her and I don't have that kind of money.... I am just left without words or thoughts to say anymore I love her she is a good dog when it comes to me I taught her to sit, stay, down, come, I was teaching her to find (search) leave it (where she isn't allowed to touch it) still in basic training.. I can let her loose in my yard but sometimes she will disobey me but she can't run with other dogs. In our house hold all dogs have to be able to run with each other I have a purebred male German Shepherd that I was going to breed her too but with her prey drives I didn't want her to be mated with him and two mix female dogs But they all get along and they tried to get along with her but I can already tell she will bite even with a muzzle on...

Please if you know someone who can take her and train her for $XXXX because I would like to get a calmer no prey drive  dog or puppy... Or would like to trade for a female 2 years intact & good with other dogs & kids... Can you please let me know... I know you have many years of experience and I am just a  24 yr old with no man strength or help since my dad has been injured on the job... But if I had a good paying job I would of been done have her into a highly professional training...

Accepted Answer

I’m sorry but we aren’t in the business of helping people sell their dogs. Prey drive is a GOOD quality for a GSD, it makes them easy to train if you know the right techniques.

Is there a reason you won’t take on the training yourself? We offer many videos to teach you how to incorporate new dogs into your home for a fraction of what professional trainers would cost. Anyone who tells you it would cost thousands to train her is either a rip off artist or misinformed. You haven’t had the dog long, and it’s not too late to start over and “reintroduce” her into the house and family just like she’s brand new. I think it’s just a matter of leadership. Letting her off leash when she isn’t trained is YOU making the mistake, not her. Dogs don’t come to us knowing what we want them to do, we need to show them.

I’d start with our Groundwork program and the video that picks up where the article leaves off:

Pack Structure for the Family Pet.
Basic Dog Obedience
Electric collar Training for the Pet Owner

This will give you a good start, should you choose to try working with her. If you still want to rehome her, there are plenty of websites out there that advertise dogs for sale.

Cindy