Update on Marnie my 11 month old German Shepherd

[Liberalynn]

Okay after count them three trainers and th e collar experiment, she
is still mouthing and using her teeth on us.

The collar did control it for the most part but she was still misbehaving anytime the collar was off. I talked about it with the trainer who recommended the collar and she said just leave it on her anytime she's out.

To me that's not a solution. Electronics can malfunction, break, or get lost etcetera. I didn't want to constantly have to rely on that to control my dog.

So I contacted and am now working with an animal behaviorist who graduated from Cornell University which is one of the top agricultural and domestic animal colleges.. She says Marnie has a combination personality problem:fear dominance! She also said the dog has no respect for my authority and that the mouthing behavior is the dog's way of correcting a subordinate pack member's behavior that she is unsatisfied with.

The behaviorist said over the next month she is going to train me to become the leader and that at the end of that time the mouthing should be resolved once and for all.

She warned me Marnie's going to resist and I am going to have to cope with her temper tantrums but that in the end it should be worth it. Wish us luck. Hopefully fourth time is the charm!

[2theleft]

1. Marnie!! I cannot help but laugh.

The first dog I got as an adult was KICKED OUT OF four puppy classes. Four. Bad behavior. I bought books, (she ate the book titled "The Perfect Puppy&quot , we went to classes. Got a trainer to come to my home at $75 a pop, 3 times a week when I was making less than $20k a year and eating ramen noodles to afford it...I was determined she would be good and stop biting. The trainer definitely helped and many years later, several dogs later, she is the true doggie love of my life. Turned out to be an AMAZING girl. Part GSD, by the way.

All of that was to tell you to hang in there and boy can I relate! Fingers crossed you come out of the month as the leader Marnie clearly needs!

PS - I have two friends who have GSDs. Both have been difficult in their own ways. I think they are too smart for their own goods. Both had to get trainers (not classes, but private trainers) and both dogs are now gems.

Hugs to you - Your next month will be challenging I'm sure, but you will do great!

[Liberalynn]

3. That's so funny that she ate

the perfect puppy book. Glad it all worked out in the end. I decided to cancel the next appointment with this new trainer.

Marnie was getting worse not better especially on the fear part. She was hiding under the table and shaking like a leaf. My sister and I talked about it and we decided that we should stick to the collar for now and try to get her into some day care sessions at at the previous trainer's obedience school. She thinks Marnie will benefit and learn quicker from the other dogs.

[murielm99]

8. She ate the book!

LOL!

Our current dog once ate her leash. She was a terrible puppy, too. She mouthed people and chewed on my arm a LOT. She once tore some wall paper off the kitchen wall.

We worked with her. She is now nine, and a great dog. It took several months, a lot of chew toys, obedience training, and a lot of exercise to wear her out, because of all that puppy energy. She is a Lab/Dobie mix, about 82 pounds.

Hang in there. Things will get better.

[easychoice]

2. I wish you well.I grew up with a Shepherd

What a wonderful friend he was too.

I want to add that he was trained by pros.
He was really well mannered.A wonderful friend,40 years since he passed away and I still think about him every day.

[Liberalynn]

4. He sounds like a great dog!

Marnie is my fifth Shepherd! The other's have passed and I still miss all of them too. They all had a few issues but Marnie is my first real "problem child!"

[easychoice]

5. she is a puppy,lets see when she is 3...

My folks got the Shep, Dusky when I was 4.They showed him in the U.S,. and Canada for his first 7 years.He passed away from cancer when I was 18... I came home from college and he was breathing funny so I took him to the Vet,He had lung cancer and it had spread.
I am so glad I flew home and had the opportunity to spend a few days with him before I had to have him put to sleep.He was my bestest buddy to the end...I sat on the back porch,totally crushed and cried for 3 days,he really was my bud.

It was years before I got another dog and she was another real keeper.I could write a book about both of them.

[hamsterjill]

6. As an animal lover, I SO appreciate your willingness to continue to work with this dog!

Thank you.

I wish you and Marnie much success.

[Crewleader]

7. I have been so lucky to have had two German Shepherds in my life

They are so worth it, most loving and protective friend. Best to you Liberallynn with your pup.

[marzipanni]

9. Does the training to make you the "alpha of the pack" in Marnie's eyes

include only feeding her, and taking her for walks, if she follows some commands first? Only letting her have what she wants if she does something you want her to do first. Sit, stay, lie down, come (I taught my dogs to do a silent or soft bark for a treat just because it's so cute) Teach her to ring a bell hanging on the door knob to go out, etc. If you reward her for doing the behavior you like, and that keeps her occupied and on the right track, she'll really enjoy pleasing you. Turn your back on her and fold your arms when she mouths you, or other things you don't like.
And play outside in the yard can be a reward too, an exercised dog is a calmer dog, as you know if you've had several dogs in your life!

[trof]

10. 1. Get "How to be your dog's best friend".

http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/books/bk.html

It's by the Monks of New Skete, NY, an order that specializes in training dogs, especially German Shepherds.

We've had 5 German Shepherds over the years and this became my bible.

2. To chastise a puppy or young dog: When she misbehaves, roll her onto her back, belly up. Hold her there and put your hand firmly on her chest, bare your teeth, and in a loud voice say " NO, BAD DOG!"

This is the way her mother corrected puppies (except for the vocals. you could try growling.). She is in a vulnerable position and learns who the pack leader is. It is VERY important that you establish your position as the pack leader.

Also, since she is now a member of your pack, she should sleep in the same room with you.
To deny her this is cruel.
Doesn't have to be on the bed, though that is her preference.
She will come to accept on the floor by the bed.

Good luck.

[marzipanni]

11. That's interesting

I've held a younger puppy by the scruff of her neck (and growled) because I read that's what parent wolves do with their teeth if the pup is biting and annoying too much.

[Skittles]

12. once you win you will have a fine dog on your hands

if the trainer is good, Marnie will retain her spirited nature but she will respect your authority