I agree with CandD. Not going into the whole 'pack leader' thing, but I don't think in the wild a 'pack leader' type dog takes things away from the more subordinate dogs.

I don't take anything from my dogs, unless it's something they really shouldn't have (I was able to take a large piece of raw beef from my staffy's mouth no problem).

OK, thank you, I get it now and as with everything, as soon as one gets it, it is simple and obvious.

This is the best advice on here!!! If you can manage to get that ball the focus of his life, if you play with him enough with it, maybe out in the garden, whenever you have the opportunity, and let him have it in his mouth on a walk (or stuff it in your pocket, and ALWAYS,but always carry a spare!!!) you will be ahead in leaps and bounds with the "watch me" command! My current puppy can be distracted from just about everything, even if she's still got that ball in her mouth, and I show her mine in my bum bag and say the "watch me" command, I can stop her in her tracks from looking elsewhere or doing anything other than to stop and stare at me! It's wonderful if you can get this with them, and you should do, if he likes that ball, or something else, whatever, but you need something, coz I found they're not very "treat" orientated, they can take it or leave it and usually they'll leave it!

Practice it at home when you're sitting on the sofa and he comes near or something, you have to say it kind of whispery (never loudly or shouting!) and short and sharp, you know, kind of like "what's that????" or similar, a kind of alarm if ya like! and his little head will flip flop to each side and he'll be focused on YOU, and you immediately give him a treat and tell him what a good boy he is. Practice it over and over and over again and always out on walks and you'll find this will be your absolute Godsend!!! When you take his ball off him, or when you initially get it out of your pocket you say it then, he'll probably sit like mine does, and then you give it to him coz he HAS watched you! You're lucky if you can take that ball off him! Blimey, I couldn't bribe mine with a bit of liver cake she's so obsessed with it, and yet when I really need it to get her attention again, she knows to just give it to me, otherwise it's just a game! Oh you're gonna have sooooo much fun, they love all this!

p.s. I don't actually hold mine up to my face, I just hold it close to my chest! It's a brilliant way too of teaching good heelwork when you've got that tucked up in your chest I can assure you of that! That dog will never pull forwards!!!

and ps again, I NEVER take my food away from my dogs -= why would I want to do that??? I only add to it, so they know I can do what I want with it IF I wanted, if ever there was a case of emergency!

Why do you feel that you need to demonstrate you are the"leader" ???

Removing food ? Going through doors first ?

This all sounds very domination theory stuff & totally the wrong way IMHE(of over 50 years of owning GSDs)of treating any dog let alone a GSD.

You should not be allowing him to rush up to anyone off lead This could get you & him in court under the DDA ! Even if he does nothing more, scaring someone is a cause for a dog being PTS.

Have you had a GSD before ?

Hi,

I understood from other posts here that if I did not show that I was the leader, he would take that role on himself.

I agree that he should not be allowed to rush up to anyone, and that it is scary. I have had him 3 weeks and let him off the lead in the country for the foirst time this weekend.

I have had dogs before which we well trained but not GSD, hence I am here looking for advice, so share some of your accumulated 50 years wisdom please.

Brendan

You have already had some excellent advice on here, and advice I completely agree with, so I won't waffle too much

Your dog sound as though he is quite protective, but also a bit fearful. He may not have had any or enough early socialisation when in his previous home and so it would be wise to start from scratch with him. Try to slowly expose him to situations in a controlled manner and where he doesn't feel threatened and reward any good behaviour immediately with a really high value reward (roast beef if necessary ) and ignore any bad behaviour. As Claire&Daisy has suggested, teach him the watch me command, and try to make a treasured ball or toy the most valued possession to him. Play short fun games with this special toy and then put it away - ONLY to be had for fun training session and then you can use it to your advantage when out on walks etc.

You don't need to be your dog's *pack leader* in the sense that you eat first, go through doors first etc, but a breed like the GSD needs to respect your authority and look to you for guidance.

Two books I would highly recommend are both by John Cree and are "Understanding the German Shepherd Dog" and also "Training the German Shepherd Dog".

Also, try to enrol in a local reward-based training club who will help you to learn about your dog, to help socialise and train him.

Good luck with it all, and I would love to see piccies of your dog please

Good post

There is absolutely no proof that taking food away from a dog or making the dog wait for you before going through doors actually is of any use in training dogs.

Please don't use a clicker without either going to a motivation training club that teaches how to use a clicker properly or print off help from Karen Pryor's site

Thank you all for your advice. I will attempt to follow same and will get the books suggested.

I would love to upload pics as requested but I cannot see how.
If anybody can tell me how, I will do so.

Brendan