I have an absolutely lovely eight-month-old male puppy here at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels for training.I received a call from the wife of the owner of this puppy threatening to give him away because he jumps on her every time he see her.This is a very nice family and the lady was dealing with a lot of personal and family tragedies.Her husband, the main owner of the shepherd puppy was out-of-town on business and this lady’s patience was just worn out.She called and asked if I could help, and Bear is now here for two weeks for training.
Upon our first training session, yesterday morning it was obvious that Bear while leash broke, he had no idea how to heal on lead.We spent 45 minutes just trying to teach Bear how to walk on the left side and to walk on a loose lead.While only 85 degrees because the training was done at 8:30 AM, I was drenched in sweat from the humidity and from fighting Bear from dragging him, and from him dragging me.Bear also wanted to consistently go to my right side as if he was incorrectly trained to be on the right side.
During this exercise, I was thinking about how much easier it would be to work with Bear when he was younger and weighed 35 pounds rather than 80 pounds.We spent the entire session working on heeling and never got to jumping, which is the main reason Bear is out here for training.Normally, I can get my younger puppies to heel on a loose lead within 15 minutes, but due to bad reinforced habits, I will likely have to spend three sessions just to get Bear to heel on a loose lead.
The main lesson to be learned is take the time to work with your new German Shepherd Dog puppy, when they are young because it is a lot easier on them and you to train them in the basic obedience when they are under 5-months-old.In addition, to be easier for both the owner and the dog, it establishes dominance and expectations of certain level of obedience and control, thus adverting behavioral problems such as jumping on you or others.Even if the German Shepherd Dog needs additional training or behavioral modifications requiring the services of a professional trainer at a later date, it will save you a lot of money if your German Shepherd Dog puppy has an understanding of the basic obedience commands.
My mom’s service dog is well known to the family as he goes on most functions with us.. Kodi like Kay is also a Grand Champion, but even cooler he can tell when my mom’s sugar is starting to fluctuate to a critical level and needs attention. He will alert her by pawing at her and winning until she checks her sugar. Amazingly my mom has only had a problem with her sugar and that was when Kodi was not there to warn her. He has become a very important part of our lives, and the family.
Kodi is amazingly smart, at 4 ½ years old he not only can open all the doors in the house, but he knows to stand at the open door waiting for someone to approve his entry. He has a great sense for knowing when we need to play with him and will take off running and bounding at seemingly randomly times, but always when a break is needed. Just the other day I decided to walk with him to survey the changes after a rainstorm here at my parents’ house. We walked the long way around the pond and as we got closer he knew where we were and very uncharacteristically ran out ahead about 20 yards to the top of the dam waiting on me to get there. As soon as I got there it was on, full sprint around the pond right on the edge of the new water line splashing everywhere just having a great and very fast time, I could not get my camera out fast enough.
Later the next day I thought he would enjoy the pond again so I walked down there with him this time straight to the dock. We sat and looked around for a moment and then it was time to play. He when to back to the bank and then straight to the edge of the water and splashed it with is paw very enthusiastically, and I decided to sit on the edge of the dock and do the same. This was just too much excitement for him as he could not see how he could get to the water from on the dock, so he mimicked my kicking of the water with his front paws in the air a few times. And then he got this look in his eye, he was off full sprint around the pond on the edge of the water again. This time I was able to catch the end of it on video.
Kodi is one that loves attention and especially loves my mom, just the other day I think more due to missing her he jumped into bed with me during a thunderstorm only during the storm. Typically with my mom around he will sleep right through them, but I think with her gone to Yellowstone he didn’t want to feel alone.
Kodi has never looked better in my opinion he is filling out and looking very ‘beastly’, he should not be done filling out until he is closer to 5 or 5 ½ so I am looking forward to see how muscular he gets. Kodi is the grandson to Bismarck and should look very great in his later years. Bismarck could have been mistaken for a body building dog, and was the first dog my mom found to be able to sense when her sugar needed attention by licking her until she would take care of it.
This post has been written by Spencer. Thank you for looking.
I would like to take a moment and tell you about one of our Grand Champions CH. Heidelberg’s Oklahoma Natashac known as Kay. Just over a week ago she was found by me in the play yard with what appeared to be bloat, and was quickly rushed to the vet’s office. Even though she was in extreme pain she was happy to be around me and wagged her tail even during some of the times she was crying. Fortunately Dr. Harvey was able to do surgery and remove the blockage in Kay’s intestines. Little did I know what I was in for as she came to recover, Kay however knows exactly what she wants.
The first thing that my dad and I figured out was that Kay did not like being put in crate where she could not see people. It did not matter if you were in the room with her she wants to be able to see part of your body at all times. Simply moving her crate solved this barking in protest problem, but only during the first few days of recovery. As Kay has gotten better she has shown herself to be a very unique character. Typically when she would see me as I arrived at my parents she would jump and spin in the air barking to say, “Hello”, which is how I was able to spot that she was in distress, so easily.
What I did not realize is what a ham she is. Since I am watching my parents’ house and business I have had extra time to spend with her. Kay has always been one to prance around happily, she moves so beautifully that it obvious why she was easy to finish and get her grand championship. It is amazing to me how much spunk she has even when she is in pain, but even more amazing is all the little things I have not noticed before. See as Kay has got to feeling better she has been able to manipulate me more and more. Now it is not good enough to see me, she must be in the room with me, and it is not good enough that I take her out to potty and watch her, I must walk with her the whole way. She has been attached to my hip for the last several days and it has been great fun.
Kay loves to over run, and loves to lead so when you are walking with her she is a few steps in front of you prancing as if she is floating on a cloud and when you stop she knows that you have because she is carefully watching, but instead of stopping with you she prances directly in front of you as if to say, “Here I am, I’m so glad you got to see me!” It nearly doesn’t matter the circumstance Kay is going to find a way to dance herself right in front of you and look up with her big eyes and then give a big smile. She absolutely loves being the center of attention!
Right now she is very skinny as she is recovering and she has found the best place to lay while I write this is under my feet where she can keep a close eye on me to make sure I will keep a close eye on her.
This post has been written by Spencer. Thank you for looking.
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
The American Kennel Club (AKC) requires that breeders permanently mark their German Shepherd Dog puppies with an individual tattoo number or microchip.We at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels have always tattooed all our shepherds, but about three-years-ago when AKC came out with the AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) with their International Chip, we were quick to jump on board with the AKC CAR program.We now tattoo all our puppies and offer the service to microchip your new puppy for $20.00.
Microchip Your Dog With AKC CAR Program
Having both a tattoo and microchip is the best way to protect your new German Shepherd Dog puppy from theft and loss.Having your new puppy tattooed and/or microchipped is the only legal way that you can prove that puppy is your dog short of collecting DNA from both parents and paying for expensive testing.Having a microchip tag on your puppy’s collar will deter some thieves.In addition, in most jurisdictions dog pounds are required to check for tattoos and microchips and should attempt to find the owner before adopting out or destroying an identified dog.This provides extra protection for your German Shepherd Dog if they become lost.
What Me Get Lost?
AKC CAR program only charges $19.95 for a onetime and lifetime registration fee, which provides you a web page for your puppy, which you can change and update all your pertinent information, such as moving to a new home or changing veterinarians.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
German Shepherd Dogs, adults and puppies love to swim.Even young puppies are fearless when it comes to water.My daughter loves to walk our new litters around a little trail that goes around one of our ponds.One day while walking a six-week-old litter in late Fall she heard a splash and turned to see a little male puppy that jumped in the cold water and was swimming to the middle of the pond.She panicked and was afraid that she would have to jump in the freezing water to save the puppy.However, she started clapping her hands and calling at the puppy and he turned and swam straight to her and the shoreline.He was cold but okay once she dried him off.
Over the years, we have on occasion heard the bad news that our customers’ German Shepherd Dog, puppy or adult had drowned in their pool because the dog did not know where the shallow end was located.The shepherd had either jumped or fallen in the pool when nobody was around and then drowned when they could not get out.
Practice Pool Safety With Your German Shepherd Dog, Puppy or Adult
If you own a pool, you can safely own a German Shepherd Dog, but you must get them in the pool and show them the shallow end and the steps.If you purchase a puppy or adult in the winter when the water is too cold to get in with them, you either must show them the shallow end by you staying outside of the pool or do not allow them unsupervised access to the pool.If you decide to show them how to get out when the water is cold have a long pole with a net to scoop them up if they panic before finding the shallow end.
Having a pool with a German Shepherd Dog can be fun and safe.However, take the time to make sure they are safe.
German Shepherd Dogs Love the Water
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Introducing two or more dogs to a new German Shepherd Dog puppy can be an anxious experience because you will be worried that the older or larger dogs could potentially hurt the puppy.The first thing you must remember to do is present a relaxed mental attitude so that your existing dog(s) does not become anxious or nervous at the time of the introduction.So take a deep breath and carry your new puppy into the house and allow your other dog(s) to come up and sniff the new puppy while you sit on the couch loving the new German Shepherd Dog puppy.Once the existing dog(s) lose interest in the new puppy allow the puppy to roam around the house and approach the existing dog(s).If the existing dogs do not lose interest in the new puppy, after several minutes in your lap place the new puppy on the floor and allow the dogs to meet each other.This should be closely monitored by you until you are absolutely sure the older dog(s) will not harm the new puppy.If you have outside dogs then the same exercise can be done in your backyard.
Excited puppies playing
German Shepherd Dogs are Gregarious and Want to Be Part of a Pack
You should have a fair idea about the tolerance level and aggressiveness of the older and larger dog(s); therefore, if a possibility exists for the existing dog to snap at the new German Shepherd Dog puppy, you should do the introduction while the existing dog(s) are on leash, which may require the help of family members.Even if you have an older dog with a solid temperament if it is a shepherd or larger size dog, I would be hesitant to leave the new German Shepherd Dog puppy under 16 weeks-of-age alone with the existing dog without a couple of days of close supervision. One single act of aggression from the older dog intended only to teach the new puppy manners can severely injure the puppy if you are not there to prevent or intervene.After a couple of days of close supervision, you should know if it is safe to leave the dogs together unattended.
If you have friends with dogs then you can do the introduction in the same manner at your friend’s house.The process should be the same if your friend brings their dog(s) to your house.If you are introducing new puppies to each other there is no reason to go through any pretense, just introduce them and enjoy the show as they discover each other.
Puppies Learn Manners From Older Dogs
Puppies and Adults Can Get Along if Properly Introduced
As always with all puppies, any dogs that the puppy comes into contact with should be up to date on all vaccinations.There is little worse than losing a new puppy to parvo or distemper because they came into contact with an unvaccinated dog that was shedding viruses.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
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