Quote: Connie Sutherland

A lot of what you did isn't contrary at all to what I (and many others) would recommend.

"

Connie, didn't Ed say he did not recommend puppy classes?

Or was he just referring to actually training your dog in one.

I just used it for socialization. Besides, at that age Ramsey was nuts!

Yes, that, as well as the off-leash free-for-all that is what so many puppy classes really are.


Most here strongly recommend against dog parks, too ..... but outside a back fence with the fenced dogs used as distraction while we work far enough away for no reaction is very different.

"Besides, at that age Ramsey was nuts! "


Think of what a mess it would have been to actually enroll him in that class and flood him with his trigger rather than hanging back and allowing him to work closer at his own pace.

Carol, you have no idea how comforting it is to read your gentle regal looking Ramsey was nuts.

Heiland barks at other dogs some of the time, especially small dogs .. misplaced anger because I won't let him eat my tiny girl j/k

I watch videos and love to find ones where the dogs aren't adept at the commands - they too give me hope that I am on the right track.

Heiland got so large so fast it's like I blinked and he's huge and looks like he is almost full grown - well, except for the still floppy feet which bring a smile to my face.

I take him to skate parks and public parks where children are playing but still have to sit quite far away - but I am patient.

The videos posted by Ramachandran Subramanian always make me smile. I want to have his gentle voice and see my Heiland as happy and as engaged as his dogs.

He is a handful but I knew he would be but I also know he's worth whatever I have to do to train him.

I really appreciate hearing from people who tell me it will get better .. but I sure wish he was 30 or 40 lbs 60 pounds of puppy is a fast way to get in shape lol

delete double post (see above)

Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/06/2013 10:08 AM)
Edit reason: deleted

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Yes, that, as well as the off-leash free-for-all that is what so many puppy classes really are.


Most here strongly recommend against dog parks, too ..... but outside a back fence with the fenced dogs used as distraction while we work far enough away for no reaction is very different.

Outside the fence at a dog park is a great training ground for dog aggression. IMHO, much better than a walk along a sidewalk. I have started 100 yards away, and worked my way closer until I could take the dog inside on leash and continue training until he was calm in the face of an excited dog.

I don't let my dogs run free at the park however.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

"Besides, at that age Ramsey was nuts! "


Think of what a mess it would have been to actually enroll him in that class and flood him with his trigger rather than hanging back and allowing him to work closer at his own pace.

Connie, I think you didn't understand. I DID enroll him in that class. It was a very inexpensive AKC affiliated class for 11 weeks.

I used it for the socialization. We played around for a few minutes, on leash, before the start of class. The pups who had issues, were on the sidelines.

Most of the class was fun and games with some basic OB thrown in. As I stated earlier, I couldn't take the instruction seriously. Ramsey was no where near ready. But just trying to do stuff around other controlled pups in a safe environment, went a long way towards alleviating fear in my pup. I am glad I did it .

Maggie, I know exactly what you mean. All I can say, your boy looks super smart. It WILL get easier. Maturity is different for each one. Having a large pup is very challenging. Especially for my age and knee problem!!

Boy I wish I were 20 years younger and still able to run!!

"I think you didn't understand. I DID enroll him in that class. It was a very inexpensive AKC affiliated class for 11 weeks.

I used it for the socialization. We played around for a few minutes, on leash, before the start of class. The pups who had issues, were on the sidelines.

Most of the class was fun and games with some basic OB thrown in. As I stated earlier, I couldn't take the instruction seriously. Ramsey was no where near ready. But just trying to do stuff around other controlled pups in a safe environment, went a long way towards alleviating fear in my pup. I am glad I did it ."



Gotcha.

I should have said "if you had used it as an instruction class" rather than "to do stuff around other controlled pups in a safe environment."

Right O!!

Maggie, Heiland is one stunning looking puppy. Having seen my share of GSD pups I know he's going to be a very regal looking adult.
That and the hard work your doing with him is something to be proud of. Your light years ahead of many with a pup that young.