It would be hard to tell that Bear was very nearly totally blind if you didn’t know. He was born blind so doesn’t know what he’s missing. However, it’s understandable that he must feel more vulnerable if another dog is suddenly upon him with little warning.
How do you help a newly adopted dog that reacts to the resident cats?
They already have beautiful German Shepherd Dave and, a few days ago, another GSD, Lottie, joined the family.
The most immediate problem is that Lottie barks at cats – they have two that are used to freely coming and going. Now they are scared and Lottie is becoming increasingly reactive.
As she settles in, she behaves like she increasingly regards the cats as scary intruders. (more…)
A lot of people I go to can be stuck in the past regarding ‘control’ and the use of force – by force I mean use of physical control. They think that ‘positive’ means ‘permissive’ which it doesn’t.
The other day, seemingly with no provocation at all. The lady was by herself and both dogs were asleep on the floor.
With no warning, Harry suddenly attacked their other Shepherd.
Why does a young dog start jumping, grabbing clothes and causing chaos around the house?
German Shepherd Kerry is bored.
Kerry
Although it’s natural for adult dogs to sleep for up to eighteen hours a day, this is only so if the rest of the time is filled with stuff natural to the dog – and its breed. Sleep probably won’t be in long blocks of enforced inaction during the day, but dozing between doing other things.
Young dogs in particular need action and fulfilment (just like young humans) or they get bored.
Kerry is a beautiful eighteen-month-old German Shepherd living with another GSD, Lemmy, aged four. They are both gorgeous dogs with lovely, friendly basic temperaments.
Young Kerry, unfortunately, probably isn’t getting enough action in her life and she’s very easily aroused. I saw this by how the smallest thing results in her leaping at someone, me in this case – grabbing my clothes and even hair with her teeth. (more…)
Why does a young dog completely ignore his owners when they call him?
Not only does 9-month-old German Shepherd Max look beautiful, he has a wonderful personality. Like many teenagers he’s full of himself and this is a lot better than being the opposite –fearful. He’s confident and friendly.
Max is a law unto himself! (more…)
Why do some rescued dogs remain shy and fearful of people, especially men?
Tala is shy with people she doesn’t know. She is particularly scared of men.
A year ago she was rescued from an abusive situation. Where shy dogs are very often more frightened of men than of women, it may be that Tala has particular reason to be shy of men.
She now lives in a lovely family. It took her time to relax with the two men when she came to them from the RSPCA a year ago, but now she’s soft, funny and loving. (more…)
He needs more enrichment and brain work, less excitement and being told off. It’s unfair to stir him up (something teenage boys are naturally good at!) and then to get cross when he becomes over-excited
“I was born to be a guard dog. I am an entire male German Shepherd now reaching my prime – eighteen months old. I am ‘The Bodyguard’. My job is to keep my humans safe and to keep safe the environment around them.
Why would a friendly German Shepherd turn into a fierce guard dog when people approach the house? I am sometimes contacted by people wanting to make their dog be a guard dog. These people aren’t happy because their friendly or fearful dog is useless at protecting them or their property. Training dogs to Read more