I have had her for a month now - she understood basic comands in German(was brought from Germany Oct. 2001) She has never messed in the house until yesterday. She came when called and obeyed basic commands {MOST OF THE TIME} When I take her out to do her business I say "parktime" as a prompt for her to eliminate on command. Up until recently this has been effective. Yesterday she decided she would not go. Right after being brought in from outside this morning she wet in the floor. When I take her for a walk I let her off lead - ordinarily she comes to me when called last night, for the first time, I had to go find her! I have several situations that I would love to talk about with someone that knows what they are doing (I obviously don't) so I'll stop here and see what happens.

How old please. Haha nevermind.. Duuuu I would say she is testing you, and you have not completed your training! Learning phase, Proofing Phase, Distraction Phase. Where are you at? Can you tell su a littel about her temperment? Dominate, submissive, Hard, Soft, well done? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

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Welcome to the board. I would get Ed's basic obedience tape. It does not take very long for a trained dog to regress.

We are in central KY, she is submissive and soft. She has a good temperament with kids. Though that is another area she is testing. She is showing a little dominance with my two year old son - though she seems fine with the 9 month old daughter.
I am ready to order a video, but am not sure which to get first "developing trust relationship" or "basic obedience"
She had begun Schutzhund training in Germany and was "pushed too hard in the bite work" the guy that had her shipped to the US realized this and did not have the time to invest in her to get her titled. But said "she is definately titlable". He sold her as a "good brood bitch". She is beautiful.
One other question I have is: there is a scar on her back - two paralel lines- about 1/4 inch long. Could this be from a shocker? Do people use these to force train?
Like I said I have tons of questions, tried to get in with a trainer locally - but they seemed to be disinterested, they knew her and her previous owner, and do schutzhund training. (kind of felt like they just wanted us to go away with her and leave them alone)
I'd be happy for any help or advice you have to offer. Thanks Cara

Thanks Vince,

I am ready to order a video, but am not sure which to get first developing trust relationship or basic obedience

They are one and the same. You build trust through obedience.

oops - Lonnie, I just realized you were asking which phase of training we were in - I answered central ky. No training - we were advised to allow her to bond with us and settle in before beginning training. (which I did not think was wise) afraid of this very thing happening.
Cara

Thanks again Vince,
I am ordering the video now - you think that will answer all of my questions. We paid $2000 for her, so my budget is limited. I would like to get several of Ed's videos, but have to do it over time. Need to get the most "bang for my buck" at this point.

“we were advised to allow her to bond with us and settle in before beginning training”

Either you heard incorrectly or you were given misinformation. I would advise against any compulsion until a strong bond is developed. But training purely in drive with food or prey reward will both build the bond and reinforce the prior training.