I do not have the pack srtucture video but I'm going to get it soon. But until I can get it can some one help me with wher my puppy needs to be according to the video(so that I can start making head way). He's on 11 week old GSD and I'v had him sense he was 6 weeks.

We are starting to have some pack structure problems. I feel that he's loosing respect for me. Things have gon very well untill a few days ago and he started getting very testy. Like starting to bite VERY hard (not during play time but like when I put his leash on or when I groom him. It feels as if he's saying "Hell No, your not going to do this to me ant more"), not coming when called, throwing a MAJOR fit when I put him in his crate, not waiting at the door when I tell him to, and just doing lots of other daring things that he would normaly never do. He just is bitching a fit about most things in life right now and I'm not sure why. He's also VERY wild and crazy in house.

I did not know that should have put him in thi crate for most of the time in the begining to devolep pack structure. Is it to late? can I still do that? And why is he doing all this stuff? Could it be that he realy never understood that I am the pack leader I just felt that he did? And what eals should I be doing with him right now that Ed talks about in his video. Can those who seen it please help me.

Thanks, Christi

Have you read this ebook:
http://www.leerburg.com/ebooks/puppygroundwork.pdf

The ebook is great, but there is nothing like the video to see it all in "real life". Bite the bullet and order the video.

At 12 weeks of age you are not to late at all as correct pack structure can even be established with adult dogs.

My pups don't go to their new owners until 12 weeks. Your puppy may have missed out on some important time with his littermates learning about pack structure.

I would suggest going back to square one and isolating the puppy in the crate until he is calm and submissive there--only out for walks and potty time. My current pups were crate trained at 8 weeks so when I started the social isolation they were already calm in their crates. The only thing we had to work on was the not bolting from the crate--honestly they learned this in 1 day.

I think one of the most important and hardest parts is being aloof toward the dog. Puppies are even harder. I accomplished this by wearing head phones whenever I walk the puppies. I even listen to Leerburg podcasts over and over and over...

 Quote: christi collett

.... Things have gon very well untill a few days ago and he started getting very testy. Like starting to bite VERY hard (not during play time but like when I put his leash on or when I groom him. ... And why is he doing all this stuff? Could it be that he realy never understood that I am the pack leader I just felt that he did? And what eals should I be doing with him right now that Ed talks about in his video. Can those who seen it please help me.

Thanks, Christi

I see basically the same questions in each of your threads. "Need help on jumping and biting" is really the same issue as this post.

Have you read the Groundwork article? There is so much to learn while you wait for your videos. You got very good replies here:
http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=14&Number=180175&Searchpage=1&Main=18228&Words=+Christi+Collett&topic=0&Search=true#Post180175

Did you incorporate these into your daily routine?

Is this dog getting structured exercise?

You mention recall problems. Are you calling him when you cannot reinforce it? This is a BAD HABIT. You are teaching him that it's optional.

Are you training waiting at the door? Giving a command that you have not trained is meaningless.

Throwing a fit about the crate -- tough. He won't do this unless you reward it. You are paying attention to him, or you are letting him out one time out of twenty when he pitches a fit, or something. Either that or you have taught him that the crate is a bad place.

Slow down here. You have a zillion questions, re-posted in slightly different terms.

Yes. I can tell from your posts that he doesn't see you as his pack leader. What I would do tonight is to listen to the Groundwork podcast and then print out the same article and read it. I would stop IMMEDIATELY calling the dog when he is not on a long line and cannot be reeled in. I would start having him on a light drag line in the house so you have some control over his "wild craziness" in the house.

I would try very hard to take a deep breath, become calm and authoritative, and take charge. Groundwork will give you some ideas about how to be the pack leader.

And I would order *any* (or better yet, all) of the videos, from Pack Structure to Your Puppy to Basic Obedience; all the videos will show you how a pack leader carries herself and interacts with the dog(s).

You can do this. You started on a better house-training routine and already saw results. You can do this too.

Do you need links to articles and podcasts?

Wait a second. This dog is eleven weeks?

I don't think eleven-week-old dogs are expected to have a good recall..... how have you taught it?

Do you know about marker training? Can you describe what you have done to teach "waiting at the door"?

BTW, I think there are several forum members with pups who are your pup's age..... and there are *many* who have had them many times. I know they will see this and give you some pointers, too.

 Quote: Shannon Reed

Have you read this ebook:
http://www.leerburg.com/ebooks/puppygroundwork.pdf .... wearing head phones whenever I walk the puppies. I even listen to Leerburg podcasts over and over and over...

The headphones -- what a great idea!

Thank you so much! I just get unhappy sometimes because I felt he was doing much better untill a few days ago and than it wll went out the door. I do have "How To Raise A Working Puppy", "Bite Training Puppies" and "Basic Dog Obedience" videos. They are very good and helpful. But I do need more of Ed's videos, and soon!

I never recall him without a line untill yesterday when he accidently got in the door and he would not come for anything. When he's on a line I never need to use it, he just comes.

I don't mean to let give him attention he he crys in his crate, but sometimes I do think he's crying cause he needs to go potty. But I can see how that would give him the idea that crying will get him out> I think (and please tell me if I'm wrong) that I need to pay more attention to when I last took him out so that I can take him out befor he crys so he dose not thing.

The waiting at the door thing started cause I did not like him rushing the door when we come in. I started by siting him down out side the door (wiht me) and than I opend (me standing by him) the door ( did not move) but held his leash and said "wait". I gave a treat every few secondes and than said "OK" and we went in, me first of corse. I have worked on that ever sense I got him. He was doing very go with it. We got to the point that when I come to the door (the side he was not on, it's just a thin screen door) and I did a my hand motion (flat palm above his head) and said "sit" and he would sit. Than I would open the door slowly and say "wait" Than when the door was open I said "OK", so he stepped in and got a treat and that was that.

And yes I do know about marker trining. I'm very new at it and still trying to understand it all. I would love any tips you have on it. I think it great I'm just trying to get it down.

I realy did not even realize that I was posting the some thing over and over, untill you said that. I'm sorry if I overwhelmed any one, I did not mean to do that. Thanks so much for brining that to my attention.

I love my dog. I have know problem saying frankly, when it comes to dog training I do not know very much (I'm a professional horse trainer). So I'm very use to working with animals, but horses and dogs are two very differant things. I realy do want this to work. I love animals and I'm a very determined woman. I know I can get this with all your help. I understand if it sounds like I thinking of diving up, but I'm not. I just come to you for everything cause I want to do thins right. I know from working with horses how bad and dangerous things can get if the handler gets thins wrong one to many times. and I just don't want that for this dog (or me). So thank you all for your help.

Connie, I just want to say thanks so much (my pup thanks you too I'm sure). Sense day one you have helped me so much, with everything. I am very inspired by your incourgement. It makes me want to do great things with dogs. It makes my exited about working with my pup. Thank you.

Christi

Do you think I should Put him in his carte exept for potty and feedings? And what dose this do? and how long do I do this(a feew days,a week)?

Keep him crated except for potty, feedings, and exercise/play times when you have the time to spend with him. When you need to turn your attention to other things then he should take a rest in his crate. Puppies need a lot of rest.

Don't let him out if he cries or throws a fit. If you think he's crying because he needs to potty then take him out with minimal stimulation/interaction, praise him with a "Good potty", then right back to the crate...where he stays until he's quiet. If he won't quiet down, a towel or blanket over the crate can really work wonders.

How long you do this depends on how consistent you are and how stubborn he is. My pup did really well at crate training for 4 days...then kept us up for 2 nights straight howling. We were psychotic from lack of sleep and in desperation we put his crate into the cottage on our property overnight. He literally howled himself hoarse but we never had a problem after that. Sounds harsh, and it felt harsh, but Ed does suggest removing them to where you can't hear them scream so you won't be tempted to let them out.