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Location: B'ham (nr the airport)
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,963
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I agree with everything said so far. As an owner of GSDs, I believe Eva needs professional help right now. Not in a few weeks, months or years time when your Dad accepts there is a problem.
You mentioned that he is concerned about the cost of things. Maybe you could point out to him that should Eva seriously hurt another dog, he could end up with a vets bill for several hundred pounds that he will have to pay whether he likes it or not.
Also, if Eva has tried to bite another dog owner, she's at risk of being seized and pts if someone chooses to take things further.
I'm sure your Dad realises that GSDs already have a bad reputation and by not training her or getting advice from a trainer and/or behaviourist, he is allowing his dog to display all the negative behaviours that the vast majority of the general public believe GSDs display anyway.
Do you think your Dad would accept advice from someone else? generally, we all listen to other people but when it's close friends or family who are trying to advise us, we don't pay much attention. When a completel stranger tells us something, particularly if it's the same and what has already been said, we tend to sit up and listen more closely.
I'm thinking tha maybe you could show this thread to your Dad. If he can see that we are all advising training and professional helpf or Eva, maybe he will be more likely to consider it.
Also, you coudl point out the advantageds of training ie a calmer dog generally, better exercised (easier to deal with when out), more obedient etc. Does your Dad stimulate Eva mentally at home? Does he play games with her? He can play hide and seek (GSDs love it) or do scentwork with her. He could throw a ball for her up and down the garden and turn this game of fetch into retrieve training. He could make his own mini-agility course with things he has in the garden, shed, house, attic etc. At least this way, some of her excess energy will be used up.
I hope he will get help for Eva. It would be a shame if she had to be rehomed and it would do nothiong for her behaviour. Although, if your Dad isn't prepared to make an effort, then it's in Eva's best interests for her to be in a home with people who can deal with her unruly behaviour and set her straight with an ongoing training programme.