Shiloh Acres
Lovin' The Homestead
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Hi all,
I know there's been talk here of various things for dogs to do, and some of y'all are very good working with dogs, so I was hoping for some suggestions.
I have a 13 month old male GSD, not yet altered (still a mental puppy). He's an inside pet, really, but he thinks he's a Most Vicious Guard Dog keeping me safe from all and sundry (especially squirrels in the pecan tree out the front door!).
I've taught him basic obedience ... very basic. He knows sit, down, stay, crate, bed (a blanket in the dining room), fetch, drop it, leave it alone, and a release to eat and one to go through a door. He knows the cats are not supposed to go outside and will herd them back inside if they go outside or into the garage.
I play fetch with him, and I've also been working to teach him to wait while I hide an object and then send him looking for it. I've never taught a dog to search for an object before, and he amazes me how quick he is with it!!! I can tell he's very scent-oriented, and not by sight at all. I've though of starting to expand that to some scent discrimination.
His problem is ... he needs a job. I have raised GSD's before, and worked with them in obedience. I remember when they hit about a year old, they've learned everything I know how to teach them, and I have to start looking for things to do with them to keep their minds occupied. I usually worked 8 hours a day plus lunch and commute then.
I work far less hours now ... I'm gone only 7 hours 4 days a week to work. I'm not always with him, because I don't allow him in the bedrooms or feed room. But he shouldn't be lonely.
He's had some behavior issues (he sometimes steals things and takes them into his crate, sometimes chews things up, and has started licking a front paw) and I've figured out pretty much that he is simply bored, and has a higher work drive than my previous GSDs did.
I don't like to run him too hard, because I've seen him have a little lameness on one rear leg. He sometimes holds the paw off the ground. There is no limping on it. He also tends to get excited and tries to change directions too quickly and sometimes slips, landing on his hips. The males in his bloodline are extra large (about 135-150 pounds) so I am trying to be careful of his frame, though I saw many of his relatives and all appeared sound (no, no x-rays in the past few generations).
Any ideas of what I can do to easily give him a job? I usually taught my other dogs various tricks and commands relating to their body position. My guy now ... well, he wants to know "why?" he should do something and I don't think he'd enjoy or take too well to being told to turn his head a certain way or hold his tail still. But when he sees a purpose, he's all over it.
Maybe the scent discrimination, as I was thinking. He REALLY enjoys me hiding something and sending him to find it, but it's become too easy for him, after only a week.
I know he'd love it if I let him herd the goats, but he'd just aggravate any animals I put him with, so I don't really let him work with them.
Any ideas??? Thanks, if anyone has any. He really needs to feel useful in order to be happy.
I know there's been talk here of various things for dogs to do, and some of y'all are very good working with dogs, so I was hoping for some suggestions.
I have a 13 month old male GSD, not yet altered (still a mental puppy). He's an inside pet, really, but he thinks he's a Most Vicious Guard Dog keeping me safe from all and sundry (especially squirrels in the pecan tree out the front door!).
I've taught him basic obedience ... very basic. He knows sit, down, stay, crate, bed (a blanket in the dining room), fetch, drop it, leave it alone, and a release to eat and one to go through a door. He knows the cats are not supposed to go outside and will herd them back inside if they go outside or into the garage.
I play fetch with him, and I've also been working to teach him to wait while I hide an object and then send him looking for it. I've never taught a dog to search for an object before, and he amazes me how quick he is with it!!! I can tell he's very scent-oriented, and not by sight at all. I've though of starting to expand that to some scent discrimination.
His problem is ... he needs a job. I have raised GSD's before, and worked with them in obedience. I remember when they hit about a year old, they've learned everything I know how to teach them, and I have to start looking for things to do with them to keep their minds occupied. I usually worked 8 hours a day plus lunch and commute then.
I work far less hours now ... I'm gone only 7 hours 4 days a week to work. I'm not always with him, because I don't allow him in the bedrooms or feed room. But he shouldn't be lonely.
He's had some behavior issues (he sometimes steals things and takes them into his crate, sometimes chews things up, and has started licking a front paw) and I've figured out pretty much that he is simply bored, and has a higher work drive than my previous GSDs did.
I don't like to run him too hard, because I've seen him have a little lameness on one rear leg. He sometimes holds the paw off the ground. There is no limping on it. He also tends to get excited and tries to change directions too quickly and sometimes slips, landing on his hips. The males in his bloodline are extra large (about 135-150 pounds) so I am trying to be careful of his frame, though I saw many of his relatives and all appeared sound (no, no x-rays in the past few generations).
Any ideas of what I can do to easily give him a job? I usually taught my other dogs various tricks and commands relating to their body position. My guy now ... well, he wants to know "why?" he should do something and I don't think he'd enjoy or take too well to being told to turn his head a certain way or hold his tail still. But when he sees a purpose, he's all over it.
Maybe the scent discrimination, as I was thinking. He REALLY enjoys me hiding something and sending him to find it, but it's become too easy for him, after only a week.
I know he'd love it if I let him herd the goats, but he'd just aggravate any animals I put him with, so I don't really let him work with them.
Any ideas??? Thanks, if anyone has any. He really needs to feel useful in order to be happy.
LOL He'll spend the whole day just trying to keep them as close the the front door as he can
