That's what the kennel/run and back yard is for. Remember we are talking about a dominance problem here.

I emplore you to set up a video camera in your kennel run/back yard and see what the dog does all day.

Anyway, I'll play along. The dog is in the backyard. It has access to water, food(whether or not you give it there is always something to eat), shelter, can go potty whenever it wants, get all its exercise it wants(although watch the video)...I have two questions regarding this scenario...1) Whose backyard is it now?(again dominance) 2) What does it need the owner for? Seems to me all its needs are met. Kind of hard to become the center of your dogs world when it doesn't need you.

Also, a young dog left outside in a backyard can become very destructive. If I only had a dollar for everytime I was told about a dog eating the Air COnditioner or worse.

As a dog owner your number one responsibility is to make sure your dog is kept safe. I don't believe left alone to its own devices is safe at all. I call it irresponsible.(again dealing with young dogs)

I've gotta say I agree that if you need to crate a dog that much, you have absolutely no business owning one. We give our death row inmates more freedom than that. If you can't afford to build a kennel/run, you don't have the spare money to care for a dog either. I've got no problem with restricting a dog from tearing up your flower beds/AC unit/vinyl siding. Fine, but 15 hrs in a crate is akin to restricting yourself to one armchair in your living room without EVER getting up to walk around, stretch your muscles, etc. You'd be so cramped, stiff, and sore you'd be running for the aspirin the minute they let you out of that chair. There are a thousand ways to deal with dominance issues (and her's are very minor to boot!) besides putting him in a zero-stimulus box where he can only lay down or stand cramped (can't sit - crates aren't tall enough for most GSDs). I know I'll never change anyone's mind - put had to speak mine.

I agree with SCH3FH, he is correct on the crate issue. Anyone that crates a dog as a permenant sitution for a dog for 15 hours or more a day, and thinks that it is not damaging both physically and mentally, needs a cat-scan. Most people do not exercise thier dogs that, crating for an extended period like that is healthy. To put a pup in that situation is nuts. I have no problem with crating dogs for a lesser period, but the dog needs exerice and space. Common-sense and science dictate this. This is a cruel act.

I've been introducing my young female (17 months old now, and with me for 3 months) slowly into the "routine" my male dog and I have shared for years.

At first she was crated for 10 hours a day (absolute necessity while I was at work). Also crated at night while I slept.

After two months I began to have short supervised sessions between the two dogs. The rank issue still has not been definitively settled between them.

But I still feel that it is necessary to get the female out of the crate more often. I now rotate which dog gets to be "out" at night, and--since the female has shown herself to be very good in the house--may soon be able to have both dogs out during the day while I am at work (in different parts of the house, of course).

My personal feeling is that dogs should be integrated, to the extent that it is possible, into the normal family routine. Dominance issues need to be dealt with as part of this routine as well. I have lived with a dominant dog and he learned not to walk through doors first and not to growl when his toys were put away. He did not learn these things in a crate.

I'd recommend Ed's series of articles on dealing with a dominant dog. Also, Jose Luiz on this board had an excellent post on the drawbacks of using clicker training with high-drive dogs... not something I would want to depend on.

Pete Felknor

I agree with Michael.
A) Find a reputable trainer that gives private lessons and has a philosophy and training method that you agree with. He is not a little 15lb puppy anymore. He has some major weight behind him, has been left to his own devices for quite a while and might not appreciate some of your ideas.
B) PRONG COLLER. (Will not elaborate)
C) Exercise. A physically fit dog has more stamina both physically and mentally. Play and walks form the bond as well.
D) Neuter. If he hasn't already been neutered and he's not going to be bred or used as a sport dog, get it done. It might make him more manageable.
E) Use the F. F. F. approach (Brian Kilcommons). Make training Fun, so he wants to learn (regardless of age he's like a puppy starting out at the beginning). Be Fair (even though he's a big boy he knows virtually nothing. Don't expect a Doctoral Thesis out of someone who's just learning to write a book report. Be Firm. When he knows the command he must comply. Period.
Enjoy your new dog!

I must have rolled out of bed on the wrong side, cuz I'm disagreeing with everybody today! I disagree with almost every single point Jose Luiz makes about clicker training in that post. Only works with low drive dogs, my a**! World Championship/national level Border Collies in agility are trained with clickers all the time, and they make our "high drive" GSDs look like overweight Rottweilers on a hot day! If you can't channel that drive to make it work for you, find fault with your application of the technique, not with the technique itself, cuz it's simply conditioned reinforcement and it works extremely well. But like ALL positive reinforcement techniques, it won't be effective if the dog finds other, self-rewarding activities more interesting that the reward that you have to offer him.

I've gotta say I agree that if you need to crate a dog that much, you have absolutely no business owning one. We give our death row inmates more freedom than that. If you can't afford to build a kennel/run, you don't have the spare money to care for a dog either. Am I allowed to get sarcastic now??? Sorry, my evil twin keeps creeping up.

We are dealing with DOGS, not PEOPLE. Comparison to death row is just silly.

I guess I have no business owning a dog. Because I do crate my dogs that much. Dogs are den animals, and predators. They spend most of their lives sleeping and in close quaters. Again, video your dog in the backyard, and tell me how much your dog streches his legs, stands up and turns around. I have done it. It is eye opening.

THe dominance issues are mild now...again how old is the dog? It is young. Already overpowering her. This is a pet, not a working dog. The dog needs crated and when out of the crate the leash needs to be on. To give a handle to the owner. The dog is only out when able to be supervised 100%. This is not permanent. The dog needs to know where it stands.

Anyway, back to the crate. Since the dog is not supposed to be crated 15 hours, as this is cruel(dogs sleepo 19-21 hours/day) but anyway, when you are in the shower, where is the dog? Who is watching to make sure no electrical cords are chewed? What about dish towels?

I am not talking about putting the dog in a crate and forgetting about it. The dog gets plenty of time playing and exercising. On my time!

Like I said, you're entitled to your opinion and I won't change it, that's fine. But when dogs are treated like cars that can be parked in the garage, taken out for a spin, and parked again, I say get yourself a car and sell the dog to someone else.

I am not asking you to change my opinion. If you leave your dogs to their own devices...sooner or later it is inevitable something will happen to change your view of crate time. It is sad though that a dog will have to learn the lesson for you.