Quote: michele davico

I will admit, however, that I'm probably failing in the "fully engaging" him part. I'm trying to find more ways to do that. Appartment life makes it makes it harder.

Perhaps you're a bit confused over what "fully engaging" means, since it has nothinig to do with the size of your living space.

What this means is to be totally focused on your dog when you're with him especially when you're out in the world. When you're walking with him on lead, you're involved with him and keeping his attention focused on you. When you're training or playing, you're doing things that keep him focused on you...this can include acting very silly, singing, talking to him, just keeping his attention focused on you, rather than what's going on around the two of you.

Given the distraction level and where you are, how much effort you have to put into being more interesting than everything else around can vary. In your home, it's a piece of cake. Out in the very interesting world, it can be exhausting! It's work!

To give you a contrasting image, when you see someone out walking his/her dog, while talking on their cell...they are not the least bit engaged with their dog. The only thing connecting them is the leash, which is nearly always stretched tight as the dog does its thing and the human is just along for the ride.

And, all those idiots at the dog parks...they're not the least bit connected with their dogs. Most of them don't even watch what the heck their dogs are doing, as they're so busy visiting with the other dog owners.

leih

You're right on. I had GSD's 40-50 years ago and finally got a pup that is about 5-6 months at the present. A lot of things have changed in the training world but one additional thing that some don't realize, that will always be the same. When a dog is on the leash and the owner is tense and the leash is tight, that tenseness can be transmitted down the leash to the dog. I had a GSD that would always sit beside me if I stopped walking. In a confrontation one time with another guy, my dog got up and sat directly in front of me and her eyes were glued on the other guy. Talking with my trainer, who specialized in GSDs, explained the whole thing to me. I transmitted my anger through the leash to my dog. The same could be happening if a person is around other dogs and the handler us up tight. Just a though to consider.

Michele,

Thanks so much for posting this. I don't have the issue you describe, but you have helped see through a course of action regarding my own dog...

I happened upon a group that meets at a local reservoir a couple of months ago. Cali loved romping with a trio of dogs. The play was appropriate, friendly, and a good energy release. She would attend to me while playing--breaking her focus on the dogs and coming back to me when called, etc. It was a good way to work on commands in the face of one of the biggest distractions she can face.

Then other dogs started showing up. Two, in particular, had behavior exactly like Brody. All fun and nice for the first 5', then...escalation. Luckily, Cali was never the target of this behavior, but I could see her changing--I swear picking up behaviors by observing. I stopped going to the group. Your post made me see that it was 100% the right decision on my part.

Truthfully, I kept going a a few weeks too long thinking it was such a good energy release for her (she's a Lab). I could kick myself for that. And while I'm no expert, I have a vision of the kind of dog I want, work on training every day, pay for classes, videos, private sessions, all to become informed and educated. The other women there know NOTHING about dogs, and think that if tails are wagging the behavior is OK--even with teeth bared in a not good way. I am now in the process of undoing some stuff all a result of my stupid mistakes, and it's work that must be done.

While there is so much good advice here for to help with your situation, it has also helped me see mine clearer too.