Help with dad's GSD problems?

Sorry, this is going to be a bit of a ramble!

Dad has had his female GSD pup Eva since she was eight weeks old...she'll turn two this May.
He previously owned a GSD back in the 80/90s and has always wanted another one, as my mum had passed away a couple of years previously, he decided the time was right and he needed the company.
He waxed lyrical about training classes and all the walking he could do as he had plenty of time on his hands (he's a young 70)
From the word go, it became apparent Eva was a very different dog to his last one, very hyper, jumps and mouths visitors and a nightmare to handle on the lead, due to her pulling dad pretty much gave up on walking her and left it to
visiting family members!

We do what we can to help but to be honest she's too much for OH and me to handle, last summer we got into a routine of taking her to the park on a Sunday, however one day she had some kind of panic attack leaving the park, shrugged off her collar and ran into the main road...after that OH lost confidence and was not prepared to be put into a positon where we'd have to go and explain to my dad that his dog had been run over and killed!

Seven weeks ago we took in a stray, she's a Cairn cross, very sweet if a little timid.
Dad brought Eva over to the field near my house and we walked them together keeping a decent distance, they seemed okay so we let them have a little sniff and with no warning Eva snapped her on the nose, fortunately no harm was done (not physically anyway) but my little dog trembled all afternoon.

It's probably pretty obvious at this point that due to lack of walks Eva has not been socialized anywhere near enough with other dogs.
she had one off lead experience with a springer when she was about six months old that went well, because of this dad thinks "she's fine with other dogs"

Sunday we agreed to go to a local waterpark and walk the dogs.
The walk started well when Eva ripped my DS's T-shirt on greeting him!
We set off and I kept a safe distance with my dog, and OH and dad walked ahead with Eva.
An off lead dog approached Eva and was being completely submissive, even lying on it's back with it's tummy exposed...but when it got up Eva went for it, again no warning growl...just bam!
The dogs owner then went to stroke Eva and she went for him too! (probably not a great idea when she was riled up but still)
The trouble is dad just does not see a problem and even suggested he let her off the lead a bit later on, I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of that idea, dad thinks I'm overeacting and trotted out the "she'll be fine" line again, he's also denying that she went for the dogs owner!

I don't know what to do, dad won't admit Eva is less than perfect and is still insisting we try again to introduce her to my dog....Maggie, (my dog) won't even look her in the eye and it's clear to me she wants no part of this...I've tried to explain to him that by forcing them together we'll end up with TWO dogs with issues, and it ain't gonna happen for the foreseeable future, if ever!

I don't want to fall out with him over this, but his constant denial is getting to me...he insists it's because she's "just a pup"

Where do we go from here?


I know it's a vicious circle, no walks...behaviour worsens....should she be muzzled? or only walked where there are no off lead dogs?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

I think , in the first instance, you have answered your own question - not enough exercise. First and foremost you need to solve that.

I wouldn't be letting her off lead at all just now.

When other dogs are near or approach, reward her and play with her - if she gets too hyper stop, turn your back and ignore her until she calms down, then reward her for calm behaviour.

This will be a pain for a while, but eventually she'll get it and she'll start to associate other dogs as a good thing, i.e. other dogs around - Mum/Dad play with me.

This will be difficult for you, but it sounds like she has bags fo energy, so the worst possible course of action is lack of exercise.

PS muzzle her if it gives you confidence, which is really (for the most part) the primary function of a muzzle - IMO the secondary purpose is to stop mouthing or biting. They just look bad, but really are a good tool

Why doesnt he get her into a good training class?
People nearly always think the new dog isnt as calm/good as thier old dog, but thats the difference the old dog was old and the new dog is/was just a pup.

Hi, I wonder if this GSD is from working lines and thus requires a slightly different approach from pet/show lines?

Really I think the best course of action is to give him some concrete choices eg people he can go and see for help (even if he only goes once) who can tell it like it is.

In addition you need to explain to him the facts of life re the DDA; this bitch will get worse not better if intervention is not sought as GSDs keep on developing until at least 3 and then usually mature between 3 and 5.

I therefore strongly suggest you look at GSD specialists such as Sheila Bailey:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/trainers_area.asp?area=Derbyshire


Zep and Mo here:

http://www.dog-father.co.uk/index.ph...119&Itemid=214

BAGSD branch:

http://www.bagsd.net/BAGSD%20Branch.html

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Thanks for the replies, will look into those contacts.

"This is a disaster waiting to happen"

Thank you, this is exactly what I've been saying, but I'm made to feel like I'm being neurotic and her behaviour is going to somehow magically transform when "she's no longer a puppy"

I really don't know why the training classes were never followed through...I'm so frustrated with his inability to see it like it really is.

Whilst your Dad is (hopefully) getting to looking into the different trainers, would it be worth getting her a halti, harness and double ended training lead so she can still go for a walk?

The halti would help work her strength in your favour by making it harder for her to control the walk (these often come with an attachment which clips onto the collar), then put the harness on her, and attach the double ended lead to the halti and the harness. Then, if she goes to slip her halti, she's still attached to the collar and harness, then if she slips her collar, she's still attached to the harness.

This way she'll get a bit more exercise than she's getting at the moment.

Does he have a birthday coming up?

Why not arrange a session with a good trainer who is also a behaviourist as a birthday present. You don't have to tell dad that it's because of the issues, just that you thought it was a nice idea and couldn't think of anything else to buy him . Going along with him will also add to the 'present'.

If you explain to the trainer beforehand at the time of arranging what's going on and why, they will ensure confidentiality and work the session around to the more pressing issues.

I was going to suggest a headcollar too. Haltis can be used under muzzles too if you want to go down that route, but even just using a headcollar on its own gives you a lot more control over a lunging dog. I personally use Dogmatic headcollars rather than the Halti brand and think they're a bit more comfortable for the dog. Look on Youtube for videos of how to introduce a headcollar and a muzzle though - both should ideally be gradually introduced so the dog accepts them.
Another thing to look at is the dog's diet, as diet can contribute to behavioural issues/hyperactivity, do you know what food your dad is feeding?

Hi
Some great ideas!
I think the 'present' idea could work, dad is quite sensitive to criticism and I can already feel a bit of tension building over this whole issue, he's also a stingy old s**
a perfect example of this....Eva has allergies, she's on JWB however dad does not see that topping it up with Pedigree Chum wet food is completely defeating the object!
On suggesting he supplement with Naturediet wet food instead, his automatic response was "how much will it cost?" fair enough, if he was hard up...but he's not!

I've ordered a new Halti (would have ordered the Dogmatic instead but it's already on it's way) so hopefully this will give us more control, she ate through the last one although it did work a dream...I've warned dad this time he must get used to her wearing around the house first!

I'm toying with the idea of the Baskerville muzzle, is this one any good?
I really think the muzzle is a must for the time being because I'm not prepared to risk her biting my dog if she gets a bit close whilst out walking. I'm also NOT prepared to get into any confrontations with irrate dog owners, she's not my dog and I really did not sign up for this...as much as I want to help.

Thanks for all the good advice, I actually feel better just getting it all off my chest, it's been keeping me awake at night!

If Naturediet is a bit pricey, look at the Wainwrights one PAH do - I think it's basically a Naturediet copy but slightly cheaper
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/wainw...-12-pack-27693
At £1.74/kg it's cheaper than Pedigree pouches by a fair bit - those are £2.43/kg on the PAH site, so that might spur him on financially (Pedigree tins are a little cheaper but don't mention that )

I use a Baskerville muzzle for my GSD and it's pretty sturdy