How can we help our seven month gsd calm down on walks? (I tried asking before but haven't received a reply and are in need of help)?

Question

Normally he's fine but people here are weary of dogs and frightened so he receives negative attention. I myself am weary of people on the street because when we walk him the main audience is low class workers who are known to be frequent harassers. He'll try to pull me towards these people or towards vehicles since he isn't used to them (our walks are too early morning for that). He'll pull me towards them or jump and move away because of the loud noises. He's scared children and men and women alike because of this. People here are frightened because of the barking Russian and terrifying "dragger" pointer in the neighborhood so no one is willing to help with the problem and we desperately need to control it before it controls us. Any help is appreciated.

((In case anyone wants to blame me for not socializing him:
BECAUSE HE WAS SICK WHEN YOUNG OUR VET WOULDNT LET US TOUCH OR HOLD HIM (ANY MORE THAN NEEDED TO FEED HIM AND GIVE MEDICINE) SO WE COULDNT LEASH TRIAN HIM OR TAKE HIM OUT. HE RECOVERED TWO MONTHS AGO WE'VE BEEN AT IT SINCE))

Answer 1

Go to an obedience class (which will HELP with socialization & BONDING) or have a private trainer come to your home, to help you learn how to train the dog to walk on lead. I am not sure

a) you have properly leash trained the dog and

b) are using the right equipment to prevent or discourage pulling.



We KNOW (from your post) you do not know how to teach the dog to heel on lead. Virtually no one does..... with out TRAINING. You have a large protective breed and in your case a dog who sadly lacks proper socialization. so a calmer quieter obedience class with puppies under some "slight" control and also on-lead, would be far better than a dog park.



"A calm dog is a better behaved dog, because it has no choice." GSD are a high energy breed coupled with HIGH intelligence; they do need a LOT of BOTH mental & physical exercise, so a walk is NOT the only way to provide such. (FAR FROM IT!)



In fact, if you can find a fenced, but empty field or even a cemetery (NOT POSTED as "off-limits" to dogs) that he can run inside of - he needs to some off-lead exercise. If he gets 30 to 60 minutes of hard running (at his OWN speed) before you attempt to walk him, it will go a LOT better. (I say this having owned a Weimaraner, who HAD to run for an HOUR before she ever entered an obedience class). If she did NOT run (for at least an hour) she looked like the "demon-possessed" girl in the EXORCIST movie - with her head spinning around and in her case, NONE of her feet ever seemed to be on the ground.



If he will retrieve, you should do that was well. If he has any "dog friends" (or develops any, in his obedience class) he can go on a play date (to their house, with you in tow) or have them & their owners come play at YOUR yard, as another outlet. I would also suggest you look into: tracking, nose work, herding & agility classes, as well.

Answer 2

The most helpful thing to do when training a dog is not to punish bad behavior, but to reward good behavior. Talk sweetly and say "good boy!" every few seconds when he is walking along side you and not doing anything that you don't want him to do. If necessary, you can even reward him with small treats throughout the walk when he is acting well to give him a reason to want to behave.



Be consistent. Both you and your pup will become frustrated if you are not consistent with your method. Walk him every day (this is to be able to train him faster and also he is a puppy who will grow into a big dog and needs to be walked every day anyways) and use the same method of rewarding him. I assume you don't use retractable leashes, but if you do, it's time to switch to a standard leash for many reasons including consistency. He needs to have his leash be the same length no matter what day or time it is. This is just a small factor that will make it easier for you and him to get through training faster.



Your attitude makes a world of difference. For example: my 2 small dogs are fluffyand cute, but they are lhasa apsos, meaning they are guard dogs who will bark and bite at anyone new in our home (even the electrician). We have never experienced a time where someone was able to visit our home without constant barking and the threat of potential biting, except for one time. I had someone come over who I was really good friends with. I was excited to see her and completely forgot about the fact that my dogs will go insane the moment she rings the doorbell. She came over and I opened the door to greet her. She walked in and from that moment there was no barking at all. My dogs simply smelled her and welcomed her into our home. I had never been more surprised. After she left, I had a discussion with my father who was also surprised that they never barked. We came to the conclusion that my attitude towards my friend and the situation itself made the dogs understand that there was no reason to be suspicious or worried. If you're wondering what this has to do with your pup, well, your attitude towards walk time and other people outside makes a huge difference. If you're apprehensive and worried about your dog's behavior, he will feel your tension and he will think something is wrong. Walks are the best time to bond with a dog and to create a certain mood between master and pet. Treat walks as a time for relaxation and letting out energy, not as an adventure (like your pup thinks) or a time to play with other people (he also thinks this).



Ways to socialize him are to take him to people who are extremely friendly and understanding of all kinds of dogs and let them say hi and pet your dog for 10-15 minutes. You can also take him to dog parks but keep him leashes until you feel it is okay to unleash him.



All in all, I hope you have a great time raising your pup and a frustrating time training him, because no training session goes unfrustratingly.

Answer 3

Have you had similar temperment dogs before? A German shepherd isn't for a novice answer, and you sure sound like one. Give the dog to someone who can manage such a high maintenance breed.