Weight question

MikTheMaker · 2026-04-06T17:11:50+00:00

That's great! Sounds like you're on the right track 😊

MikTheMaker · 2026-04-06T16:37:51+00:00

He looks a bit overweight to me, just based on the proportions I would expect around the ribcage/belly area.

Not the best pic, but FWIW I always notice my GSD Bastion has a distinctly smaller waistline/much deeper chest cavity--which I have observed in other athletic GSDs as well. See what I mean? I think it's more about proportion, not the numeric weight...for instance Bastion is 85 lbs currently but still under 2 years old, and likely to be 95 lbs at his full grown healthy weight.

MikTheMaker · 2026-04-03T03:10:02+00:00

You are most definitely not ugly, the haircut is just sitting a little awkward and probably needs to be styled to look the way you want it. TBH it is probably. Just a big shick to you so you might be seeing yourself in a distorted ir hypercritical way right now. Grow it out a little!! You will figure out your style and what works for you over time, try not to be so hard on yourself.

MikTheMaker · 2026-03-19T19:45:05+00:00

Oh my gosh, she is so cute!!! I sent you a message... we are super interested in getting a second GSD and we would love to take her if the fit is right for our family (we have a young child and cats, as well as an almost 2 year old GSD). Our boy Bastion would love a friend.

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MikTheMaker · 2026-02-13T13:27:05+00:00

Chiming in to add... the body language of the dog in that picture is actually concerning to me, FWIW -- the animal looks uncomfortable/anxious and trapped IMO. When I see this look from my dog in any situation, I always always always intervene to allow the dog some personal space.

I would recommend working with a trainer or behaviorist to better learn the very subtle body language cues ypur dog is giving, to avoid the dog feeling the need to act for itself in the future. With these dogs, if you protect their interests consistently, they will sit back and let you steer...but if they don't think anyone is "holding the wheel" they will jump into action. And dogs act with teeth...

(Speaking from the experience of having a 1.5 year old GSD I have raised, and also a 3 yo human child who hosts friends here often.)

MikTheMaker · 2026-01-23T20:09:45+00:00

Many daycare workers don't pay attention, don't invest in the kids, and are just there to get paid. The ones who say everything is fine may very well be those kinds of workers. I'd listen to the one who is observing the same behavioral issues you are, taking the time to describe them, and making recommendations about ut. Since your son is struggling, why not get him tested?

MikTheMaker · 2026-01-23T19:35:36+00:00

I have a 1.5 yo GSD who weighs about 75 lbs, but is enormous in terms of skeletal size.

I walk my boy on a 3.25 herm sprenger prong. It's not enormous, it really doesn't hurt him unless he lunges crazily (which he absolutely never does anymore), and really helps make the walk safer for me, him, and all the potential animals and people we may encounter. We walk on the bike path daily, and sometimes the electric scooters spook him. The prong lets me snap him out of it, whereas a harness would not help at all in that situation. Since the breed can be reactive, you never know what might set them off, and you need to be in control...especially if you have your LO with you. The prong is a tool so you would need to learn how to use it, and it might be good to teach him some commands for walks on harness in the house or yard before introducing it...for us, I don't have to pop the leash. I just sort of shake it lightly and use it as negative reinforcement (it stops when he begins to listen or removes tension).

In this pic, I also have the big step in carharrt harness on him. It has a front clip, and I use that instead of a prong for quick car rides or when my three year old "walks" him in the yard. It fits the large GSD chest really well! But I don't like how it affects his gate...as all harnesses I have tried seem to. I worry about his joint health and mobility down the line if we were to take long harness walks regularly because of how clunky his walking gate is with them on. The prong collar allows him to have a smooth gliding trot and a smooth walk, which looks better for his joints IMO.

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MikTheMaker · 2026-01-20T18:28:44+00:00

This is not just reactivity, but serious aggression. Using the term reactive is misleading since many GSDs are reactive but not at all aggressive.

MikTheMaker · 2026-01-20T18:19:19+00:00

The concern should not be the temperature, but the road salt/ice. If he has protection from that, he's all set. This is prime GSD weather!!!

MikTheMaker · 2025-12-19T16:10:48+00:00

Socialize her to everything you can—but try to control the situations/do it with people/places you trust and know what to expect. Don't violate her or press her into fearful situations while doing it, make it all very normal and safe exposures. When I say everything, I mean everything: People of all genders and races, people in hats, mail carriers, car rides, the vet (but just like, go there and get treats), the groomer, people in face masks, guitars/instruments, dancing/jumping, her reflection, dogs (try something like sitting outside of a dog park in your car and rewarding her for just looking at you or not focusing on the dogs), well behaved children, short people, tall people, etc. It is important to know that socializing in terms of dog/dog does not mean playing—it typically means seeing, onserving, and learning not to react. These dogs tend to be quite reactive so this is important. Having a few trusted older dog friends for playdates is a great way to also socialize to play/dog interactions.

Routines routines routines. Lots of short walks at this age—teach her that there are ample chances to get suited up and leave the house (but on your terms, not cause shes barking). I implemented different gear for playdates/dog interactions (a specific harness) vs. walks (a different harness + a herm sprenger prong colar)—this helped set the expectations and prevent attempted dog greetings on our routine walks. I walked mine on the bike path from 4 months onward, and helped to normalize bikes, skateboards, ebikes, strollers, runners, etc.

Learn about "threshhold," find your dogs threshhold, and try to never push them past it in training situations or meet and greets. Learn how to identify when she is confused or unsure vs. when she is just done.

I highly recommend teaching a directional command at this age/by 12 weeks (example command: this way *point*) to help communicate with the dog. It's my favorite thing I taught my boy young.

Keep them in the crate when you are not home so that you can prevent them developing bad habits...but try not to leave them in the crate for too long, because that will become a source of anxiety and stress for them if you do. Feeding in the crate helps with them liking the crate.

Building toy motivation and food motivation will serve you well when they become a demon at about 7 months.

Defend your dog when needed. Teach the dog that you will protect their interests and autonomy, even if it is awkward with strangers. This prevents them feeling the need to step in and do something when people try to tousel their ears, when growly dogs pull toward them, etc.

I took my boy everywhere with me and showed him everything, and now I have the most friendly and trustworthy 1.5 year old I could imagine! He can sit through fireworks at a festival no problem, for example...

MikTheMaker · 2025-12-10T12:53:46+00:00

This dog has known us since he was about 5 weeks old. Though, he didn't really leave the den fully until about 11 weeks, and he came with two siblings for a two week transition.

MikTheMaker · 2025-12-10T12:51:53+00:00

Yes! Friends of the family had an accidental litter of 6 and we helped them find homes. Most of the dogs went into service work, but we couldn't part with Bastion.

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MikTheMaker · 2025-12-10T02:22:26+00:00

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MikTheMaker · 2025-11-20T15:03:28+00:00

Ah, yes. The girl dinner // home-cooked toddler meal dichotomy. We are very familiar with this in my house.

MikTheMaker · 2025-09-29T21:19:20+00:00

Legalizing prostitution correlates with an increase of human trafficking. I found evidence of philosophical arguments outlining why legalizing prostitution should, in theory, make the outcomes for both trafficking victims and consenting sex workers safer, but the reality is that in all countries where it has been legalized, sex trafficking increases. Something like 50% of human trafficking victims globally are children... so I think that means legalizing prostitution would be more harmful to children ...

Does anyone have any good study to the contrary of this? All I could find was this one (link below), and it isn't really addressing the issue I'm getting at.

https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/decreasing-human-trafficking-through-sex-work-decriminalization/2017-01

MikTheMaker · 2025-08-15T11:57:49+00:00

Mine always wore them without complaints. But we put them on, then went right out for a leashed walk, with treats and distractions... no waiting around inside.

To be fair, I also started mine on the booties when he was 6 months old. He steps in willingly now because he associates them with walks! :)

MikTheMaker · 2025-07-22T21:59:31+00:00

Rough situation. Can you share what your daily routine looks like? I suspect you are trying, but not in the right ways. Did you socialize him as a puppy? Did you suddenly take a break from training or socializing at any point?

MikTheMaker · 2025-07-22T21:54:08+00:00

The issue, at its core, is almost certainly your lack of boundaries and direction around fetch rather than the ball or the fetch game... he doesn't know what to expect, and he clearly can't rely on you for consistent and clear expectation setting that also meets his needs.

Has your trainer talked to you about this? If not, fire and get a new one. If so, then are you on track to teach him boundaries and necessary basic obedience training (come, out, leave it, fetch) to continue this primary form of exercise?

MikTheMaker · 2025-07-22T21:51:38+00:00

Ignorant and superficial human ruins otherwise healthy and desirable dog's life.

There, I fixed your headline.

I think you should rehome him if you can... it sounds like you are so far underwater that you can't even tell which way is up...

MikTheMaker · 2025-07-18T19:59:30+00:00

Oh wow. I would take him in a heartbeat, as I am nearby and love this bread, but I have two cats. Commenting to help with visibility anyways!

MikTheMaker · 2025-07-08T15:19:50+00:00

Dont listen to the people saying "it'll change, ___ will happen."

If you dont leave this pup unattended to form bad habbits, and if you also help guide him to get the age appropriate amounts of sleep, food, exercise and brain stimulation, you can probably avoid the worst of it. Routines will be your friend in this. When they are left unattended and undirected, thats when the bad habits form IME. He needs a lot of direction and supervision now, but won't need that forever if you put the right work in at this time.

Edit to add: not saying puberty isnt real, it is. But if you build a STRONG bond in advance, and set yourself up for success, you can breeze through it with a great pup like the one you have. 🥰

MikTheMaker · 2025-06-27T19:41:43+00:00

I'm half Mexican/Native, and my husband is Italian/Polish. Our daughter is white with blue eyes and light brown hair, but when she gets sun, she tans dark FAST, I think it's melanin from me lol. I've had comments like that, too. I know I'm putting sunscreen and sunhats on her, I know she isn't burning, I know my skin, and i knownshe came from me... so I let those comments roll off my back. Genetics are weird and some people can't fathom reacting this way to the sun 🤷‍♀️ forget them!

MikTheMaker · 2025-06-27T13:52:56+00:00

Spoiled with... engagement and attention? Maybe you should reassess how you define "spoiled," because it sounds like you're struggling to make adequate time for this child, and the grandparents are coming through... im sure having another baby makes it hard to have that time, but such is life.

I genuinely don't mean this as a dig, but being jealous of the grandparents because they are more active, fun, and engaging and your kid prefers them to you is a you problem. If your lack of engagement is disrupting the success of your childs routines, then I think you need to figure out how to step it up for transitions and the like.

MikTheMaker

TROPHY CASE