Hahaha Poor Chuck.. I happen to think your right on the money... start from scratch! Like I said 40 posts ago, she is a 8 week old puppy who happends to be 18 months... as far as training and socialation go... crated that much, it's a wonder the dog aint a basket case.. again, prob a good dam dog.

Again as previous posted, your corrections are not good enough, even self admited now... Geeeesh

I guess I should start quoting my own posts so everyone can read them twice, or mabey just not post, who listens anyway LOL I know I am off base sometimes, but sometimes I'm not.

Not you Butch! I know you listen.

I agree that starting from scratch is the way to go. I feel that any time you adopt an adult dog who has not been properly treated, this is a MUST. I think that containment is appropriate for the situation, but I undestand your reservations regarding crating, given the dog's history. You might consider an X-Pen or some larger, more open enclosure, that will allow you to "crate train your new puppy" without the crate.

Thanks Lonny,
Nice to get noticed?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
The young dog needs more then CLICKER TRAINING. :rolleyes:
I'll leave it at that.
ED'd Basic OB would be a good start. In using this tape it should be followed as laid out.
If not followed as Ed's has arranged the tape,it will be awaste of time and confuse your young dog.

Being pretty good at OB is OK, but when you are able to proof the commands then is's Fantastic!!!
Be consisitent with the training and also with your corrections. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Give your young dog time, you will see a change.

First, Chuck sorry for the smart a.. remark, I'm just annoyed with myself for not doing this right the first time.
As for crating him, I won't do it. Sorry. What I do during the day is gate him off in the basement with water, toys etc. Like I said earlier, when I got him he could barely walk. I can't and won't subject him to a crate again. (I do know if used properly they are a great use, but....you get the gist).
You know what really annoys me about all of this is that when I was growing up my Dad trained and showed his GSD's. I haven't even been able to obedience train Buster yet! :rolleyes: Very annoying. Thanks to all for the advice

Hello. A few things to consider.....this dog has had no formal training until he came to you, very little contact with people. I would buy the Basic Ob video, start to train. With that said, you need to be a little carefull, correcting a dog that is that age that has never been really corrected before with a prong, and if applied wrong, could do damage to the dog, and you could get bit. Use caution. If I were you I would seek a reputable trainer out in your area to help you with this dog. I would also have the dog x-rayed to make sure that when training you do not cause him pain and mis-read him if he snaps at you or something. 15 hours a day is a long time for a regular routine for a dog to be crated.
He sounds like abig pup, but you should be a little cautious. Dogs do things that they have never done before. Good luck.

Pam,

Check your private messages.

Dogma,
I tried to reply by email but it said you don't accept private messages. I just wanted to thank you for the advice. Makes sense to me.
By the way, about your girl sneaking in the master closet, you know how girls love shoes!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Buster, sorry about that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I learned the hard way about giving out my address to these type of forums.
(I'll pm you my email address.)

Ok, I sat on the sidelines long enough. First, I have no problem with a dog being crated 15 hours a day. Lets figure this out. Most people have a job. The dog should be in a crate(remember this is a young dog). Most people sleep. The dog should be in a crate(you can't watch the dog any better when you are sleeping than when you are at work). You put the work and the job together and you get probably more than 15 hours.

There are easy ways to correct a dominant dog. First thing to remember 'most' pet owners get really excited when their dog jumps on them pulls on them...If you get excited the dog gets excited.

As far as the prong getting the dog excited it is clear he feels he is alpha. If he is...he can do anything he wants. Includes jumping and biting. Now you correct him...in his eyes there is something wrong with YOU. How dare you correct him when he is the boss! Dogs go into to behaviors when this situation happens. 1) they go into avoidance. Again, something must be wrong with you when you know the dog is alpha.(dog is thinking) so they hide. 2) When older they go into fight(excited at a young age). I must remind you I am alpha.

I would be happy to provide a program to eliminate the dominant behavior. However, it is long to type. So I will wait to hear responses.

 Quote:

First, I have no problem with a dog being crated 15 hours a day.

Well, then, I'll just have to disagree with you....even though I agree with the concept of crating.

To make this clear, we're talking about a CRATE here, not a kennel/run. Your math is sound: if one crates the dog at night (which I do with my young bitch) that's ~8 hours. Add another 8-10+ hours while one is at work...assuming one doesn't work out of a residence...and the dog will spend AT LEAST half each day in a crate.

I don't know about the crates you use, but our 28" 92 lb oversized, leggy/long male can barely stand up in a crate, much less move around, and this is the X-large one. We use it, yes, for training, for transporting, for occassional times as needed, but not for extended periods. That's what the kennel/run and back yard is for.

As for Buster, Pam noted the dog could barely walk at that time, so this does not seem to me to be a case of crating a few hours here and few hours there. Not surprising that his leg muscles had atrophied, when I see how active our gsd's are.

Sorry, but IMHO, if there is so little time in one's life and no space for a yard or kennel, so that a large dog must be crated half the day or more, then I question why one would even get a large dog puppy. It just doesn't seem a fit with that lifestyle... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />