More great suggestions! as well as an update Bronx has stopped biting so much. Off the original topic but related to the last reply comes another question... He has in the past week decided that he doesnt like going in cars anymore. My saab cant fit his kennel in the back but with our previous shepherds he have always just let them have the backseat. He's been in my car a decent amount but now doesnt want to get in. He have taken him different places for different reasons so i dont think he is relating the car with a bad experiance. As well we tried having my mom sit in the back with him which helped a little but not much. Bringing hisblanket helps none either. When he knows the car isnt moving he seems to be fine but otherwise he is nervous. As for taking him to the park its a little bit of a drive- we live right next to one park but he is already used to its ins and outs so im going to have to think about new places to take him... thanks to all that have been replying!

These GSD's can be wacko as far as I'm concerned! My pup didn't go to the car and jump in until she was almost a year old! I'd let her outside and she'd just be content to wave goodbye to me from the front deck!

I just would calmly go get her, never had to drag or anything, take her collar, walk her to the car and put her in. I NEVER made a big deal about it. Never tried yelling 'come' or had a battle of wills. Just walked her to the car and had her jump in.

And suddenly, one day when she was around one year old, I was surprised when she did walk over with me and just jumped right in!

Have you looked at dog seatbelts rather than using a crate? I never found one good enough in a petstore, but there are a few online. A good review of them is on http://www.agilepooch.com/dogbelts.html I like the Champion but this site gives you a choice. Nice to have the dog connected to the car in some way. And the middle of the car (back seat) is where you put your child carseats due to the safety issues. So I'd just as soon have my dogs there. Another thing I like about the belts is that in the summer I can still bring the dogs everywhere with me, and leave them in the car with the windows wide open. They aren't going anywhere, and who's going to steal a car with 2 big dogs in it?

Hey, I drive just over an hour to dog classes, and frequently drive 15 min to 1/2 hour to do our hikes. I only plan these for every other day, so do get a break. And when the dogs are older and better behaved, a couple times a week works fine.

First Jenn said.....

 Quote:

I take my puppies, at 3 months old, for HOURS long off leash hikes in the park near me.

Then Jenn said.......

 Quote:

While I would not haul my 3 month old dog up Mt Olympis for the day. And I would not ride my bike for miles with him dragging beside on a leash. Or put him, leashed, on a treadmill, then leave the room for a few hours...... I did not find an OFF LEASH, so at the pups pace (which means frequent walking, stop and sniffs, and lying on the path) ever harmed my dogs (one that is a GSD). Or my friends pups. (they aren't GSD's, so maybe GSD's don't have normal structure as puppies to have normal exercise?).

The time (hour or so) out in a new and interesting place. With the new smells, textures to feel, sticks to drag, rock to climb, logs to climb/jump/go around, whatever. And the drive there in the car. And back in the car. And maybe meeting someone on the trail. Making arrangements to meet your friends and their dogs on the trail. ALL THESE reasons and more is why I took my pups out and (brace yourself) they did just fine. Grew up strong, healthy, full of energy, AND I loved them because they so much more manageable when I got home.

Well, obviously these 2 staements do not equal each other, the SECOND statement being a much more reasonable and sound approach to socialization and stimulation for a puppy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Jeannette Polowski that I wasn't clear about what a 'hike' consists of with an off leash 3 month pup. The reason I mentioned the TIME aspect rather than the distance is because we don't go terrifically far at that age. But we are out and about mostly walking (well I am mostly walking) for close to 2 hours than not. This walking consists of tons of stopping to sniff any and everything. Laying down in puddles. Tearing off after squirrels. Laying down to wait for me to catch up (I just walk). Tearing off after my other dog, than sitting on the trail waiting for me to catch up. Playing games of hide and sneak (with me hiding) to teach my pup to keep track of me. Stopping to have a snack at some point so I can just take a break.

No need to apologize Jenn <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It is important to make the distinctions that you clarified in your later postings. There are many inexperienced or new dog owners that may take any postings that they read here literally. I would not want some poor puppy to be overstressed by an owner who didn't know any better and was doing what they thought was recommended here as a good thing to do.