dog training tips and questions

[scootr]

Well our old pup just got put down this afternoon. She had been diagnosed with bladder cancer a while back. Meds only did so much.
An old man like me having to load a 100 pound dog into the back seat of the pickup was a circus. Fortunately she has always liked to ride and once I got her up all I had to do was help her with her hind quarters to get up the ramp. Once we got to the vets office it took a crew to get her out and onto a stretcher to carry her in.
Once we made the decision we knew we had to make she was asleep and then down in just a few minutes.
This one is hitting me harder then most of them have over the years, even the ones that I had to put down were easier then this one. Have to wonder if it's because I'm not far from that time.

I had to put my old down this past spring. He and I were best friends. At the end I was his eyes. I think these relationships mean more to us as we get older and understand the true value of the bond. Maybe we're just getting soft? Sorry for your loss, Lou

 

[Jstpssng]

Maybe we're just getting soft?

We're getting something but I don't think it's soft. I have a 10 week old puppy helping me write this and I know that he'll be my last... I'm crowding 67 so we'll grow old together. Getting him really made me think about how much longer I'll be enjoying life here, and how short it is.

 

[Eagle1]

Well about time you got that pup...... life is good

 

[BackRoad]

Tough on you Mr. Lou. Sorry to hear the news. It brings back some hard memories and deep emotions.

I believe there's some truth to what you said about it having more effect as we get older, and closer to our own last days...

 

[BackRoad]

We're getting something but I don't think it's soft. I have a 10 week old puppy helping me write this and I know that he'll be my last... I'm crowding 67 so we'll grow old together. Getting him really made me think about how much longer I'll be enjoying life here, and how short it is.

Pictures, or it didn't happen!

 

[Jstpssng]

Pictures, or it didn't happen!

 

[BackRoad]

Congrats Mr. Jstpssng!

You've been hankering for a running buddy for quite a while. Looks like a keeper!

 

[scootr]

View attachment 4207856

That's not a puppy. It's a house piglet

 

[Jstpssng]

That's not a puppy. It's a house piglet

He met his first electric fence today. I was cruising a piece of property which is crisscrossed with fields and fences. I wasn't sure if that one was hot or not.
It was.

 

[ponytug]

@Jstpssng he looks adorable! I'm impressed he is keeping up with you.

All the best, Peter

 

[Jstpssng]

@Jstpssng he looks adorable! I'm impressed he is keeping up with you.

All the best, Peter

He isn't- yet. I take him out when I'm working near the truck, then put him back in and let him wait.
We've been working around some nice fields... I think he's been looking for his Clydesdales.

.

 

[Rockbadchild]

View attachment 4207856

I am happy for you Jstpssng, you simply can’t go wrong with a lab

 

[ponytug]

He isn't- yet. I take him out when I'm working near the truck, then put him back in and let him wait.
We've been working around some nice fields... I think he's been looking for his Clydesdales.

.

Whooo hooo! Clydesdales! Lucky pup.

Ever seen horses or oxen hauling lumber in the woods? I think it is amazing.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Rockbadchild]

Male or female ??? Pros and cons of each and which you like better?

 

[Rockbadchild]

For what it is worth I’ve shown a picture of My Gsd as well has her parents to AI and she is mostly west German working line with a influence (from her mother) of west German show Line and her dad has a little bit of czech working line so thats explains what I am working with plus a female but despite that I starting to love GSD she has her flaws but what a dog!!

 

[1 Old Man]

I've had both male and female GSD's. My last male was the smartest
dog I've ever owned. He was intact (a mistake on my part) and had
a tendency to "roam". Not too far, and he always came home. Out on the
town by himself.....friendliest dog you could imagine. Put him in your
truck cab or inside the house.....and he became the dog you never wanted to meet.
He was very obedient and would give you immediate response. I swear he
understood English. All my family and friends loved that dog. I did too.

When he passed. I thought I'd never want another dog. 6 months later
I had a 8week old female GSD. She was blk & silver. Registered AKC but
I had her spayed at 6mo. I'm not a breeder and didn't need a batch of puppies.
Anyway, she was protective, but not as aggressive as my male had been.
Extremely well behaved. When she (the dog) was about 2 y.o. I found my future
wife. Got married etc....wife & I started a family....kids. That dog was so gentle
with my kids. They could climb all over her, pull her ears and she loved
all the attention....never, ever, a single time, growled, showed teeth etc
At the time we lived in the city. Put a hand over the fence when the our
kids or their friends were playing outside....she would let you know right
quick you made a mistake. She was 12y.o. when she passed. It really tore me up.
Stupid thing, makes my eyes water even now. No more dogs. Years went by.
Lots of life changes.

Never say never. Got a 12 week old GSD female in May of 2024. March 1st she'll
be 2 y.o. I had her spayed at 6mo. We had a few puppy issues.... but she was
easy to obedience train. I have a e-collar but seldom even put it on her. She loves
me and loves my wife. She is not instantly friendly....but once she sees we've let
someone, like a guest, into the house she just sits on her bed. Watching. Doesn't bother
anyone. We live rural, and she could leave off property anytime she wanted.
Will definitely alert to someone at the gate or driving up to the house.
I don't have a dog run or a fenced in yard area. There are about 8 ac around my
house and she patrols that area. Nothing gets to cross or land without her chasing it off.
I have woods and a hay pasture too which she has anytime access. But she stays
near the house. Working and she goes with me. We trimmed some trees today...and she was
right there. Chewing the tastiest sticks. "helping". I can't even imagine her not being
here. She likes to swim. Will chase a ball forever....likes to run. We ride in the Mule...she
runs behind or beside. I love this dog.

Male or female, the return (love, loyalty, obedience) you get out of them
is according to the time, training and treatment they receive. And just like
human siblings....they each have their own quirks and personalities.

Sorry this got so long. I'll stop now.

 

[Jstpssng]

Male or female ??? Pros and cons of each and which you like better?

It's all a matter of preference. I will spay/neuter as soon as they let me.
I went with a male this time because I don't want to deal with a ***** in heat for 2-3 cycles until I can have her done.

 

[BackRoad]

So Mr. Jstpssng, what's the update on your buddy? Is he starting to figure out life? Has he learned his name yet?!

 

[scootr]

I find females easier to train. Males to be more aggressive towards strangers. I've had exceptional males and females. For companionship I'd get a female. For protection I'd get a male. Not to say either one can't be both. Australian Cattle Dogs (over 40 yrs).

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've had both male and female GSD's. My last male was the smartest
dog I've ever owned. He was intact (a mistake on my part) and had
a tendency to "roam". Not too far, and he always came home. Out on the
town by himself.....friendliest dog you could imagine. Put him in your
truck cab or inside the house.....and he became the dog you never wanted to meet.
He was very obedient and would give you immediate response. I swear he
understood English. All my family and friends loved that dog. I did too.

When he passed. I thought I'd never want another dog. 6 months later
I had a 8week old female GSD. She was blk & silver. Registered AKC but
I had her spayed at 6mo. I'm not a breeder and didn't need a batch of puppies.
Anyway, she was protective, but not as aggressive as my male had been.
Extremely well behaved. When she (the dog) was about 2 y.o. I found my future
wife. Got married etc....wife & I started a family....kids. That dog was so gentle
with my kids. They could climb all over her, pull her ears and she loved
all the attention....never, ever, a single time, growled, showed teeth etc
At the time we lived in the city. Put a hand over the fence when the our
kids or their friends were playing outside....she would let you know right
quick you made a mistake. She was 12y.o. when she passed. It really tore me up.
Stupid thing, makes my eyes water even now. No more dogs. Years went by.
Lots of life changes.

Never say never. Got a 12 week old GSD female in May of 2024. March 1st she'll
be 2 y.o. I had her spayed at 6mo. We had a few puppy issues.... but she was
easy to obedience train. I have a e-collar but seldom even put it on her. She loves
me and loves my wife. She is not instantly friendly....but once she sees we've let
someone, like a guest, into the house she just sits on her bed. Watching. Doesn't bother
anyone. We live rural, and she could leave off property anytime she wanted.
Will definitely alert to someone at the gate or driving up to the house.
I don't have a dog run or a fenced in yard area. There are about 8 ac around my
house and she patrols that area. Nothing gets to cross or land without her chasing it off.
I have woods and a hay pasture too which she has anytime access. But she stays
near the house. Working and she goes with me. We trimmed some trees today...and she was
right there. Chewing the tastiest sticks. "helping". I can't even imagine her not being
here. She likes to swim. Will chase a ball forever....likes to run. We ride in the Mule...she
runs behind or beside. I love this dog.

Male or female, the return (love, loyalty, obedience) you get out of them
is according to the time, training and treatment they receive. And just like
human siblings....they each have their own quirks and personalities.

Sorry this got so long. I'll stop now.

Thanks for sharing!