I have a 7 month old GSD. All of my previous experience has been with APBT's (3 over a period of 22 years) has been a matter of socializing and pack order, which wasn't really difficult. My husband & I took a rather laid back approach to raising & living with our dogs & never had any problems, but never really demanded or expected much or did any training. Our latest Pit, Daisy is 11 and has been the dominate dog in the family until recently.

In September, my husband brought home an adorable 8 week old GSD, that we named Max in honor of a wonderful, laid, back dog we had lost the previous year, Well, after a couple of weeks Max was nicknamed "Godzilla" for reasons you can imagine! Max then became Maxey.

Maxey is now becoming sweet, (though it took a while), and eager to please, although he is trying to dominate the other dogs. From reading posts to the forum I think he is food driven and EXTREMELY intelligent. He is also COMPLETELY different from any dog I have ever had before, and I am COMPLETELY at a loss! I want us all to be happy and I understand that means training. I guess that has to start with pack structure. In reference to the e-Books, do I use adult or puppy, since he has been in our home for almost 5 months??

Daisy (the APBT) & Sam (the Lab mix-previously a stray, with issues of his own) are compliant, so far,(both of them untrained in obedience) but Maxey is starting to dominate them during play & guarding the porch when it's time to come in the house.

So....where do I start? I only recently discovered this site and I'm hoping I'm not trying to start too late. I've read that bringing Maxey into the mix might not have been the best idea, but I'm committed to making this work for everyone. I have been told that working dogs need a job & I am trying to figure out just what his job could be, as well as finding a way to keep him from becoming bored while we are at work every day. I would greatly appreciate any advise and direction I can get!

Thanks!
Carol

Hi Carol.

Coming to this site is, in my opinion, the BEST thing you could have done so far! There is so much information here and on Ed's site that you will be knee deep in it for a loooong time. He breeds German Shepherds so his information will apply.

One important distinction that not many people new to the breed know is that there are American Lines and Germand show and working lines. Which line you have strongly influences what kind of dog you have and what you need to do to keep him from going nuts. I know he's a rescue, but do you have any info on his pedigree? If not, you could post a pic here and people would be able to give you an intelligent guess.

Most of the books you read about GSDs will be about the "AKC" American Showline. There are forums here, on this site, for everything GSD related. Use the search button.

Finally, you should really really really really (Stressing this A LOT) learn how to become your dog's pack leader. Ed has articles on this topic (sorry I don't have the link handy) There are also articles on dominant dogs.

Good luck, welcome aboard!

Carol - it is NEVER too late to start good training and establish sound pack strucutre.

Dogs live in the present - they react to what works for them right now, unlike hiumans who live in the past. Dogs figure out right away what is in their best interest.

Just start the groundwork programs I outline in my e-books.

Actually, Maxey is not a rescue. We bought him from some people locally and his mother is from Bulgaria. Since he is only 7 months old, do I use the puppy approach to establishing pack leader? Does anyone have suggestions on what might keep him occupied during the day while we are at work? He's in the yard all day with Sam (the Lab-mix rescue).

Thanks for your encouragement! I spend quite a bit of time every day on this site, trying to educate myself. I want the entire pack to be happy!

Max is still a pup at 7 months old, so start with the Puppy Groundwork -- Also, I would not allow him to run with your older male rescue unattended (either they will start fighting, or he will make your Lab mix miserable through bullying)...

I highly recommend you get Ed's DVD, "Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months" http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm because 3 dogs is definitely a pack, so an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!