So, I'm new to the board (hi all!). I am a working dog enthusiast but have no experience in the sport. I'm a junior in high school so a do isn't quite practical yet. Just learning all that I can now.
Anywhoo, my boyfriend's brothers just got a GSD bitch from their parents as an early Christmas gift. I do not believe in giving dogs as gifts unless the person who is being gifted with the dog knows its going to happen and has been preparing for a new addition. The twins (who got the pup) are 22 and live at home. They're extremely lazy, and don't know anything about puppies or training dogs. So basically its a recipe for disaster. The puppy is relatively high energy like most puppies, and more specifically GSDs are. They hate having to get out of their Lay-Z Boys to keep her out of trouble. They haven't taken her on any walks, so she's a little bundle of energy (a.k.a terror). So they've had her for 1 week and they want to get rid of her so bad. Which of course makes me furious.
So I'm going to try and take the dog 'under my wing' and help it out a little. I wouldn't call myself a trainer by any means but I have trained a few dogs in my life. Just basic obedience, how to politely walk on a leash, and house training. I figure even though I don't have a wealth of knowledge on dog behavior/training, I know a little more than they do.
HOWEVER, I am asking advice from you guys since you seem like you know what you're talking about. She is overall a good pup, but there is one thing that I HATE that she does, but I understand why she does it. I want to know what I should do to stop her from bighting!
Also, any tips for leash training? I've been able to correct bad behavior, but totally training her to walk nicely on a leash is different.
Of course she's from some backyard breeder and there was no contract so they won't take the puppy back. I just hope I can get her...I don't know. A little more agreeable for the guys? Even though you'd think her going to a better home would be...well...better, there really isn't a good option right now.

Hello Molly,

Check out this Michael Ellis video on puppies that bite:

http://leerburg.com/playem.htm?name=flv/biting-puppies.flv.

Also, you'll need to read this Puppy Groundwork article.

Then you could treat yourself to the rest of Michael Ellis free streaming videos

Oh, and you may start your puppy on a harness first and then introduce leash pressure when she is old enough. This is supposed to take care of loose leash walking

Good luck!

Thank you! I hope my help helps. haha!

Not a very good situation for sure. But Ana is right to point you towards the Michael Ellis videos. This is also a good article to explain in written form what Michael Ellis is doing in his videos.

http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

You have three options to deal with the biting. Redirecting into a toy/food, ignoring the pup, or crating her. Other methods either don't work or cause unnecessary stress to the dog.

Keep in mind that you'll be a second hand or lower handler so the owners may destroy any work that you do. A dog who shows a decent amount of drive is likely too much for anyone who can't get out of the Lay-Z-Boy. I remember when my pup was 10 weeks old and decided to play tug with the mat underneath our Lay-Z-Boy. He proceeded to drag this huge chair all the way across the room. Perhaps you could use markers and have this pup tug on the Lay-Z-Boy to train the owners to get off their butts.

Boy, that description does not give me hope for the puppy in that home.

"So they've had her for 1 week and they want to get rid of her so bad."

I would do all I could to accommodate them by rehoming her asap. JMO.


And shame on those parents. That poor puppy.

http://www.agsra.com/
http://www.netpets.com/dogs/dogresc/breeds/doggsd.html
http://www.german-shepherd-lore.com/german-shepherd-rescue.html
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm#G

The above links are to some German Shepherd Rescue groups that you can contact if they want to rehome the puppy and you are unable to provide him with a home.

It's a sad situation for that poor pup to be in. And the parents should be ashamed of themselves for being so irresponsible. No wonder their so-called adult children are the way they are.

Poor puppy.

I think it's commendable that you are trying to step in and help, but I think that if they are as lazy as you imply, You should encourage them to contact one a the rescues above.

Even if you get the dog somewhat trained, it only makes it easier on the owners. It wont improve the life of the dog. He deserves a home with plenty of interaction, excercise and love. He'll end up tied to a dog house in the back yard.

JMO

Good luck!

I would absolutely try and rehome this puppy if they will allow you to - failing that get the pup into a good rescue, preferably one that runs on foster homes.

For the biting, carry a soft tug around at all times. I find dishclothes (for drying) work awesome with young dogs.

I would never put a harness on a dog unless it was to pull, because that is what harnesses are made for - pulling. You can keep your tug and some treats on you as you walk. Whenever the pup tries to run ahead or begins to pull, you start walking backwards (still facing the dog) and when the pup turns around to face you (wondering why you are not moving forward) then you can lure her in (words, food and body signals) and mark and reward. ( don't pop the leash or "pull" her back. Just steady backwards pressure and let her come in to you on her own)What you want to teach her is that everytime she pulls or tries to run ahead you are going to move back. You want to teach her that she is not going to move forward unless it is with you.

Now, before your first few walks I would find a fenced area and just let her rip around and you can play with her to get all the pent up energy out. It's hard to walk a puppy on a leash (and expect it to walk nicely) when they get no other mental and physical stimulation all day. Also, when you are training a dog to walk on a leash, you have to do it when you don't have anywhere to go, so that you can take your time and really focus on what you are trying to achieve.

Good luck and thanks for helping this pup, you may be all she has!

Thank you all for the helpful information. I didn't even think about the fact that even if I do get her to be a little obedient, she still won't get the exercise/stimulation she needs and deserves.
Thank you for sending me the links and I will check them out. I have a friend who lives on a farm and owns a female GSD. She goes trail riding all the time (almost daily) so the female is always tuckered out by the end of the day. I think if they really do get rid of her, that she would provide a good home. I know the rescues are great, but it would make me happy to see her go to someone I know that would have a perfect home for a high energy pup.
I'm trying the leash work today, I'll let you know how it goes. Cross your fingers!

 Quote: Niomy Smith

I would never put a harness on a dog unless it was to pull, because that is what harnesses are made for - pulling.

In Michael Ellis system the puppy is started on a harness and leash pressure is introduced later. This is described in Heeling DVD. I am using this method with my puppy.

Adopted adult dogs is a different story, leash pressure wasn't introduced properly and it is too late for them, got to use a different method.

For somebody with a young puppy and who is interested in dog training it would make sense to try to follow the best rather than doing it old school.

I have missed the part about the puppy being still the lazy boys' unwanted toy This puppy needs to be rehomed.