WELL, THE FACT IS WHETHER YOU OWN A GSD FOR SPORT, WORK, OR JUST AS A PET YOU STILL OWN A GSD. YOU STILL OWN A DOG THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE DOMINANT, AGRESSIVE, AND 80 PLUS POUNDS. AT 5 MONTHS OLD THIS DOG HAS NOT BEGUN TO MATURE YET WHICH IS USUALLY WHEN SIGNS OF DOMINANCE START SHOWING. THIS DOG MAY OR MAY NOT EVER SHOW ALOT OF DOMINANCE BUT DOING THINGS LIKE ALLOWING HIM TO SLEEP WITH YOU ONLY ENHANCES THE PACK DRIVE AND HIS NATURAL DESIRE TO BE DOMINANT.

JOE, MOST OF (NOT ALL OF) THE PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD HAVE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE GSD AND OTHER DOMINANT BREEDS. WHEN YOU SEE A COMMON THEME SUCH AS DON'T LET YOUR DOG SLEEP WITH YOU, DON'T LET OTHERS PET YOUR DOG, AND DON'T ALLOW YOUR DOG TO PLAY WITH OTHER DOG OUTSIDE OF HIS PACK ESPECIALLY W/O SUPERVISION IT IS BECAUSE THAT ROAD HAS ALREADY BEEN TRAVELED, MANY TIMES. IF IT IS WORTH WRITING AND E-BOOK OR ARTICLE ON THEN IT IS PROBABLY ADVICE WORTH CONSIDERING.

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I HATE TO READ ABOUT SOME ONE WHO SAYS THE READ GOOD INFO ON WHAT NOT TO DO BUT DECIDED AGAINST IT.

Is there a reason you are YELLING Trevor???
I do not see a real need for all the CAPS.....

I am not yelling nor am I real hip on the whole email/IM edicate. I am into training dogs not the latest emodicon or computer lingo. I am just a simple guy who uses this forum for input and occasionally some output if I can help. In other words I like to use caps because it is easier than hitting the shift key to capitalize words. Sorry if I offended anyone with my loud voice. I need to go get a drink of water now because my throat hurts from yelling.

 Quote: trevor morris

I am not yelling nor am I real hip on the whole email/IM edicate. I am into training dogs not the latest emodicon or computer lingo. I am just a simple guy who uses this forum for input and occasionally some output if I can help. In other words I like to use caps because it is easier than hitting the shift key to capitalize words. Sorry if I offended anyone with my loud voice. I need to go get a drink of water now because my throat hurts from yelling.

Now you know that all caps is the way shouting is indicated.

That would be everywhere, BTW, and not just here.


P.S. IF IT IS WORTH WRITING AND E-BOOK OR ARTICLE ON THEN IT IS PROBABLY ADVICE WORTH CONSIDERING
is an excellent point.

Hope your throat gets better......I apologize for not explaining better.
I am here to learn and discuss dogs also. I almost put a post in all caps this morning but refrained as I did not want to hurt my throat either.

Joe, I think Brad Martin picked up on what happened there, and why your pup may have been a little nervous. More a reaction to you than to the older dog. Great catch, Brad!

Chances are the older GSD didn't bite the pup at all. He may have nipped him versus a full fledged bite, or done what Janice mentioned with a shove of the muzzle.

I wouldn't worry too much, and you say he's back to being his puppy self, so that's great. If you want them to play together, do watch them in the future for any real signs of aggression. Dynamics can change, especially as a pup grows and comes more "into his own".

You may be right about me scaring him, but I was in the kitchen doing dishes and they were a couple of yards away. As soon as I heard the big dog growling and making "biting" noises, and my pup screaming as if they were about to kill him, I instantly yelled "NO" and proceeded. Not sure if there was anything different I could've done except not slap the big dog. I didn't slap him in the face, just the hips. And my dog wasn't afraid of me, he was afraid to go near the big dog. My intention was to let both dogs know that what the big GSD did was wrong.

Anyway, regarding the sleeping in the bed issue. Truth is I do all the other pack leader stuff. I don't let him on the sofa, I eat before him, exit doors before him, make him sit. We do a little obedience (sit and down) with markers. We have a good bond. I see no reason why he would get dominant. And if he does, back to his crate, as simple as that. You all make it sound like it was a sin when a lot of people in this thread say that they sleep with their dogs.

I'm no expert, but I've watched Ed's videos and most of The Dog Whisperer's episodes. I've also read Ed's articles and lurked around this board.

 Quote: Joe Buhdee

You all make it sound like it was a sin when a lot of people in this thread say that they sleep with their dogs.

Joe, by all means we aren't all saying it's a sin to sleep with your dog. I am one of the few that did though, because that's my opinion and if you read my post, I don't let my dog on furniture. When you ask for an opinion and state your story, members will usually analyze your post and comment on that. In other words, give you the opinion you are asking for.

I read this thread with interest. I must say that my first thought was the older dog just corrected the pup. Some pups will scream bloody murder when corrected.

As far as sleeping in the bed goes, as long as it's done with your permission (dog waits for invitation before coming up on the bed), there are no incidents, and he'll get off the bed instantly on command I see no problem with allowing him to sleep there if you want him to.