tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post4028075336409244682..comments2024-03-15T03:43:53.437-04:00Comments on INSIDE THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS WORLD: ALL BY MYSELF.......SEPARATION ANXIETYBarbara J. Galassohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06374747787599553697noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-14890194244195518882009-11-28T11:40:27.432-05:002009-11-28T11:40:27.432-05:00This all starts from the very beginning with your ...This all starts from the very beginning with your pup. Yes, you can throw in some "bad" temperament, but with all the dogs I have had, you can't tell me that not one of these dogs would have been as destructive as you describe in another's hands.<br /><br />As this isn't my column, I'll try to be quick. It's difficult to explain in type, but pups have to be raised with finesse, shall we say. Here's some of what has worked for me for years.<br /><br />In the morning, I softly but meaningfully say good morning to pup in crate. I never take a pup outside in the morning until coffee is brewing, and they know it. There's no big to-do when they finally do come out.<br /><br />I suppose I gradually ease my way into the day.<br /><br />Throughout the day, they are spoken to. Full sentences. Conversations. If I can't think of something to say, I tell a joke. Whatever it takes to get the dog to know that we are a team, I care enough to include you in my life and not just bark one-word commands. Throw in some eye contact.<br /><br />When I return from being away, pup knows I'm not busting in the door, popping open the crate, "setting him free." Again, like coffee, he has to wait.<br /><br />Sometimes he comes with me. When he doesn't, I say, "No, you stay here and watch the house. I'll be back." No petting. When I return, it's "Hey, I'm back."<br /><br />This is all somewhat easy to say, but it's really all about demeanor, attitude, attitude that comes from deep inside not a surface, robotic or staccato type of interaction with a dog. I think that has to come naturally.<br /><br />So, get your dogs to respect you, give them a sense of responsibility and worthiness, FROM DAY ONE, and when you leave, it's "I'll be back, watch the house."Jodi Distillinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4955077234995938266.post-61617003201191723812009-11-27T13:29:52.177-05:002009-11-27T13:29:52.177-05:00This takes me back to a summer at Rockannand (Ceda...This takes me back to a summer at Rockannand (Cedar Lake,QC), where we have a family home. My brother had come up with their Lab and when I met the dog, I was rather disappointed that he hadn't trained it and that his wife had been treating the dog like a baby. That evening we went over to our cousins cottage for supper and I asked my brother where the dog was. He said he couldn't bring it if he was going to have any time to relax and had put it in the old run. 30 min later, the howling began. I sat there quietly waiting for my brother to do something about it but instead he grew angrier at the situation. Finally, I said... "There is an easy way to get your dog to stop 'all the racket' and I will do it for you but you probably aren't going to like it. Just DO IT it he said... the howling is echoing all across the bay!!".<br /><br />I walked back to the main house where the dog was... and, without saying one word to him, took a pail of lake water and got the dog squarely in the face... then, left the pail sitting there in front of him by the gate. Never said a word, just left and went back to the party.<br /><br />It was over...He never made a sound again... My brother was all smiles ... and said, "that's my tough sister... Thanks Kate!"<br /><br />Dogs are not babies! They need parameters, direction and an Alpha leader or they will reluctantly take up the job themselves. And, don't be lazy like my brother...Get up 2 hrs before you have to go to work and get out there exercising and training your dog! Some of my closest friends I met in the dark and rain walking their dogs... You'd be amazed at how many others are meeting up each morning before breakfast with flashlights and dogs. It was a great start to each day no matter the weather.... The benefits are amazing. **Just DO IT**.Katenoreply@blogger.com