I'm very happy for you.

He was my first choice!

leih

thank you so much for your compassion and encouragement.

I really feel that there is a sense of community in this forum. I hope to add to the excellent work being done.

I'm trying to think as to what I should purchase. I'm already thinking about a collar, leash, crate (although he gets around great without one), stainless steel bowl, water bowl, prong collar?, Some toys.

am I forgetting something?
I would love to hear recommendations for each one of these products.

Tomorrow go into the trainerto work on obedience. I can't wait.

Eitan Waks

 Quote: Eitan Waks

... I'm trying to think as to what I should purchase. I'm already thinking about a collar, leash, crate (although he gets around great without one), stainless steel bowl, water bowl, prong collar?, Some toys.

am I forgetting something?
I would love to hear recommendations for each one of these products.


Eitan Waks

This may have been addressed. If not, have you looked at the LB videos? Definitely worth the money.

You might want a sleeping mat or two.

Congratulations on your new dog. He looks awesome!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

You might want a sleeping mat or two.

Definitely a doggie bed or mat! The dog may prefer that to a crate if it has not been using a crate, and you can place train the dog to hang there when you need him to. There is a good podcast about it:
http://leerburg.com/podcasts/placecommand.mp3

 Quote: Eitan Waks

I'm trying to think as to what I should purchase.

Oh, man, are you in trouble now!

You will soon find that you become addicted to buying stuff for your dog.

You might get him a nice dog bed (with a great mattress, washable cover, etc.). But, what about around the house and when you travel? I have several lambswool rug things...they're portable, washable, and cooling/warming.

When you buy toys, stick with real rubber...stay away from vinyl anything (it outgasses chemicals). Don't forget to just make up your own toys, too...you can play with boxes, towels, just about anything. I tend to stay away from toys that look like things they shouldn't have, like shoes (here, Fido, chew on this shoe, but just don't pick up one of mine? I don't think so.).

Let us know how it goes with the training session. You'll have a blast, and the more you train, the greater the communication you'll develop with Dark.

leih

 Quote: Eitan Waks

And also, although I don't have the video, there is a dog that is two years old (also German Shepherd) that is up for adoption. He is completely housebroken and trained to a certain extent. The one flaw he has is that he has a slight limp due to an accident. I'm curious to hear what you guys have to say about adopting a dog like this. In my case it might even be a better choice because he might not try to pull as hard due to his physical impairment.(:-) like owner like dog :-))

Eitan Waks

Thats great news Eitan!!!!

is it the dog you were talking about in the above quote????

Was Dark a house dog or a kennel dog in his previous life?

If he was a kennel dog he may not know how to behave inside the house yet. If his is true, its nothing to worry about. He will get used to home life soon enough.

Even if he was a house dog, you have to remember that it takes some time for him to know that your home is his home. He may have gotten nervous being somewhere unfamiliar by himself.

Is there any particular reason why you can't use a crate? It really is the easiest way to establish house rules with him, and to prevent accidents.

Plus, it's convenient for you in those times that you need him out of the way, like having someone in to do work on your house or when you need to clean. A crate is also great for those times when you just need a short break from the dog. I don't think I could live with any dog without a crate!

The groundwork article is good for someone who is taking on a new adult dog. I recommend reading it.

http://leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf

Glad the training session went well.

As far as the housebreaking, why don't you read the housebreaking ebook this site has? Anytime you take in a new dog, regardless of age, you should start out at step one, using a crate as Lauren suggests, and work the program. Just being in a new home with a new owner is enough to throw him off, and if he was a kennel dog, he really doesn't have a clue.

You're right...you didn't give him enough time in the morning (10 minutes...definitely not enough). And, I wouldn't wait a whole hour after a meal, until you know his own routine.

The broken dishes are your own fault, of course! Crates are your friend.

Keep in mind, Eitan, that he's only been with you a couple of days. As wonderful of a dog as he is, he needs to gain an understanding of your rules, what you want and expect of him, etc., and there's no substitute for time and patience and gently showing him what you expect. Set him up for success by preventing unwanted behavior in the first place (e.g., not leaving him free in the house when you're not there, keeping him close to you when you are there, etc.).

Also...you know not to scold him if you come home and find an accident, right?

A lot of this may be overwhelming at first, but it won't take that long for you two to find your rhythm together.

As far as the electronic collar goes, without knowing how your trainer plans to use it, can't really comment. Dogtra makes great collars.

I like that you're trying the verbal corrections before going to physical ones first. It's always a good idea to use the least intrusive correction that will work, and if a verbal no will do it, great.

leih