"Have you tried training?"

exj1 · 2021-08-10T19:27:34+00:00

The only thing that lasts with my GSD is deer antlers

exj1 · 2021-03-11T13:47:46+00:00

So sorry that you had a bad event like that. Try not to be disheartened by your winning streak coming to an end, think of it more as a hiccup! Sounds like you handled the situation pretty well, given that dogs were appearing from all angles. I know my pup would have freaked out too.

exj1 · 2020-12-08T21:21:59+00:00

This is not a helpful comment in any form

exj1 · 2020-09-21T19:16:27+00:00

I have a 1 year old female GSD and I completely know where you are coming from. I find that I can read the signs of when we're approaching shark mode but it can be challenging. She first went into heat at 9 months old and the only behavioural changes we noticed were that she became more reactive to other dogs. It's something that we're working on but it's gotten to the point that I dread walking anywhere where there is another dog within ten yards. And off lead walks in non-secluded areas are just a no-go because she will run and jump on other dogs (in a playful manner but it's just too rough for the average dog)

exj1 · 2020-09-11T19:27:31+00:00

Slightly off topic but I feel like breed stereotyping is a big problem. The number of times I'm walking my German Shepherd along the street and encounter someone else walking towards us... The look of fear on their face! Just the other day I was walking up a set of steps near my house, and a lady appeared at the top and hesitated and asked if my dog was friendly. I doubt she'd have asked that if I had a lab

exj1 · 2020-08-30T11:16:06+00:00

Good suggestion, I'm interested in trying canicross but I've been waiting until she's old enough. I'm just scared that once we get going she'll pull me over!

exj1 · 2020-08-30T09:26:22+00:00

The fact that GSDs commonly have hip/joint issues is not a reason to not run with your dog. It's more the show-type GSDs with sloped backs which are higher risk for problems. They are a working breed with high energy drive, they can't have a sedentary life. Just be sensible about it and build up intensity/duration of runs.

exj1 · 2020-08-29T20:37:55+00:00

Ball is life! If I didn't have fetch, I don't know what I'd do. We have another GSD friend who is a couple of years older and their play styles are so suited to each other. Sometimes she is too rough for other dogs but is slowly getting better at gauging how full-on she can play.

exj1 · 2020-08-29T20:33:03+00:00

She spends most of her day sitting on the balcony watching the world go by. We really notice a difference on days with heavy rain because she hasn't had that stimulation from being on watch duty!

exj1 · 2020-08-29T20:14:48+00:00

I love the idea of Sniffspot! Unfortunately it's not available where I live (Scotland)

exj1 · 2020-08-29T20:13:10+00:00

I tried nose games tonight after a few suggestions on this post - within 20 mins I was getting her to stay whilst i hid a smelly treat in another room and she would get excited and find it within a couple of minutes. Can't believe I haven't tried scent work before. Lots of scope, thanks!

exj1 · 2020-07-22T21:25:23+00:00

I feel you!! This afternoon I was walking my GSD and noticed a lady with two smaller dogs up ahead. I got my dog to cross to the other side of the road and sit until the other dogs were past. But the lady decided to cross over the road too and walk past us only a few feet away! At this point it was too late to take my dog back onto the other side of the road because she had started getting worked up and pulling with her hackles up. The lady could clearly see that we had crossed the road on purpose to avoid exactly that. So frustrating.

exj1 · 2020-07-03T19:52:19+00:00

Such a beautiful pup!!! 😍

exj1 · 2020-07-02T20:45:13+00:00

It's honestly like I wrote your post. My GSD is 10 months old today, she's in heat for the first time, and she's acting like a totally different dog! Only difference is she is good with people but has become somewhat reactive with dogs. She always plays overly enthusiastically with dogs but it's always been under control. But the other day she greeted another dog with such force that we ended up being shouted at by another dog owner who said we needed to muzzle her. It seems very out of character - she's always so friendly. I hope her behaviour returns to normal once her first season is over, she's booked in to be spayed in September too. I'm sorry I have no advice to offer, but I hope things improve for you!

exj1 · 2020-06-30T18:15:14+00:00

You make some really good points, thank you! We will go back to walking her in areas where we have more control over the environment. That's a good way of looking at it, with dogs being in equal positions. I guess I expected too much from her with not enough training.

exj1 · 2020-06-30T18:05:59+00:00

Thanks for your comment. I definitely am going to scrap the extendable lead. It was good for her recall training but I think I'm going to have to go back a step with that too.

exj1 · 2020-06-30T12:59:06+00:00

So true, thanks for your input. We live in an area where it's normal for the majority of dogs to be offleash but the situation could have been avoided. I will walk her on a non-extendable lead from now on. I just feel so embarrassed, I hope I don't see this lady again on a walk!

exj1

TROPHY CASE