Hello to all,

I am new to the boards and this will be my first post. (I hope it is in the proper section - I apologize if not, though this seemed the most fitting area). To get right to the point, the background on my issue:

I recently purchased a 3 year-old GSD out of West German working lines. He was advertised as coming equipped with "Level 3" protection training and on- and off-lead obedience, and was purchased from a man that has competed and trained with working dogs for years and was given positive reviews, even on this board. I felt that I had a great experience with him when I picked up my dog. I do have to admit that this is my first working GSD; my previous was a female out of show lines. While I am aware that the temperaments are entirely different, I am rather confused as to my new dog's destructive behavior. I realize that working dogs bore easily and need regular, daily stimulation; I have tried to provide him with this via walks in both the morning and evening, and ball time at the park in the mid-afternoon (he could play ball all day if I let him). In the month that we have had him, we have taken him camping with us each weekend, and he is by my side all throughout each day (I work from home). At night, I have been putting him in his crate until morning. He has Kong toys and balls to play with all the while. When I have him outside of the home with me, he is extremely well-behaved and responds immediately to my commands while on-lead, though he is wearing a prong collar while we are out (he does not wear it while in our home, however).

So why can I not turn my back on him for even a few seconds? He has destroyed numerous items in my home; each incident he was left alone for MAYBE five minutes. This is not acceptable to me, but the only possible explanation I could find was boredom; I do not see how it's possible for him to be bored!

When I purchased the dog, I specifically asked for a dog that was protection- and obedience-trained but also a suitable family companion that travelled well - I made it clear that I would not be participating in any kind of competition, but that we are a family that is very, very active and travels frequently. I did not expect a robot, but I did expect a well-behaved animal that could be left alone for small stretches of time without going medieval on something.

The issue is that I am uncertain as to whether I need to take him to a trainer and start all over (arrgh!), or whether there is something I need to be doing/not doing - in other words, it's my fault? I purchased the dog out-of-state, so if further training is needed, I will have to find a reputable trainer in my local area - though the guy I purchased him from said he would never need any further training when I questioned him regarding refresher bite work and obedience work, etc. The dog is now a part of this family and we need to find a way to co-exist peacefully. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

To be completely clear, are you saying that all the dog's structured exercise is a morning and evening walk and some ball time at a park in mid-afternoon?

not enough exercise, if I were to bet he probably stayed in a kennel when not being worked. You have to work them mentally and physically until the tongue hangs long, then he'll be happy....and good

This is the daily routine, yes. We camp and hike each weekend, as well, for several hours, typically, on Saturday and Sunday. I am not sure, from your post, whether or not the morning and evening walk and ball time are considered ridiculously inadequate or not. The man I purchased him from did not seem to think so, so I would be disappointed if this is the case.

do you have pics?

Dennis,

I am not certain if you mean he stays in a kennel at my home or at his previous home at the trainer's, but he is only crated here at night at bedtime. At the trainer's, I did get the impression that he was in the kennel more than he was out, simply because there were several other dogs there, as well.

Yes, I will figure out how to post them and do so.

 Quote: Heather Sheldon

Dennis,

I am not certain if you mean he stays in a kennel at my home or at his previous home at the trainer's, but he is only crated here at night at bedtime. At the trainer's, I did get the impression that he was in the kennel more than he was out, simply because their were several other dogs there, as well.

My two girls require very vigorous exercise of ball chasing, bite work when I can and searching, That and an obedience or agility exercise as well.

When I'm not with them, even for a bathroom break, I either put them in stay or in back in the kennel.

It's going to take me a bit to figure out how to get the pictures loaded; I only have them in my e-mail and desktop folders, not on a webpage of any kind. I will post them as soon as I get it figured out.

Heather, do you do ob sessions (or any training) during the day?

Also, do you know about things like this: http://leerburg.com/772.htm that can wear out the dog and save the owner?