How can I get my 1 yr old, Female German Shepard to listen to me?

Question

She is a great dog with a big heart. My problem is when she see's people she just gets overwhelmed with excitement... She's too ruff (pardon the punn)...Should I use a choker? I don't want to but I've tried begging, It's not working....haha.

Answer 1

Our female German Shepherd does the exact same thing. She's 15 months old now, and slowly calming down, so it will get better.
The most sucessful thing we've done: when she jumps, bring your knee up to hit her chest and tell her no. Don't do this too hard!! Just do it hard enough that she gets the idea.
Next, have a guest call you and come over. Warn them in advance to bring their knee up when she jumps. It's even better if she's never met them before! We have our friends do this and slowly, our pup has improved.
Also try to make her sit before you give her ANY attention, and make sure she's getting enough exercise. At her age, her bones are solid enough to jog.

Answer 2

I have a GS/Boxer X, have the same problem. A choke collar is fine, so long as you use it correctly. The best way I've found is the following:

1. Ask the person to be stern with her and say 'Down' and 'No'

2. If using a choke, only a very quick movement - the use of the word 'choke', well, you shouldn't actually choke your dog. I use a Martingale collar - it's cloth with some choke but can only go so far.

3. I taught her to sit.

While she's sitting I pet her head and ignore her and the person you're speaking with should also ignore her. When she's behaving reward her for good behaviour a ton of 'Good Girl's.

So far it's worked, the only time she jumps up or acts poorly is with people she's known since puppyhood that choose not to listen to my instructions and reward her for bad behaviour (giving her attention). It's down to one person, and I've given up on them.

Now, when she meets anyone new, she's quite well behaved and loves to greet and welcome them without driving them crazy.

Your dog's also only 12 months, she'll start to calm down soon anyway... patience, and consistency in training will get you the farthest.

Answer 3

Enroll her into an obediance class. Or go purchase the dog obediance and guide book by The Dog Whisperer. I'm sure you've heard of him. He's been on Oprah! Haha. Heres a look at that book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307337332/sr=8-1/qid=1153179441/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3759909-4449506?ie=UTF8

I'd definetly reccommned the book if you dont want to spend money on a class. I've heard about this guy alot and he did a show with Oprah and showed how he turned dogs around! Good luck. :P

Answer 4

The first thing you need to know is what kind of training you and your dog need. After that locate some good trainers that will take you and your dog, not just the dog. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/HHIpy

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These are the very same tips that I spent years perfecting, the very same tips that have worked for thousands of dog lovers just like you.

Answer 5

Learn German!

Answer 6

is this while your walking her? I have a 100lb labrador that pulls on a leash - try a pinch collar, it looks evil but it really isn't - it only pinches when the dog pulls on the leash - it will not puncture the skin. In fact, they are alot safer than choke chains since those will actually choke the dog and if they pull alot they can collapse their trachea. I've been using the pinch collar on my dog since he was about a year (he's 5 now) and it works great...I really can't even walk him without it....If you don't like the idea of the collar, they also sell no-pull harnesses at pet stores and that works really great on my smaller dog but not sure how they work with large dogs. ask at your local pet store.

Answer 7

Your prolly tired of hearing this, but what i'd suggest is to bring her to training/obedience classes. and from that maybe have your guests have her sit or stay and then give her a treat and play with her. She probably is just happy to see them, but German Shepherds do have a protective nature too, that might be why. but your's sound like she just wants attention and to play with them.

Answer 8

I am very anti choker chain... please take a moment and look at the following links for some exeellent articles on the subject

http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/dogs/pullingonlead.pdf

http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/choke.pdf

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_leashmanners

http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jan_feb_2005/punishment.pdf

http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/mar_apr_1999/how_to_walk_shelter_dog.html

http://www.peta.org/living/AT-summer1998/leash.html

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/LA/hawgood1.htm



http://www.courteouscanine.com/toptenchoke-prong.shtml

http://www.dogscouts.com/collars.shtml

http://www.nwk9.com/article_corrections.htm

I am not good with links... you will probably have to cut and paste.

I teach dogs SIT FOR EVERTHING ... basically this entails that she gets NOTHING from ANYONE unless she sits (food, petting,anything)... when she does jump turn your back and walk away... it can be hard (it will get worse before it gets better) but with consistancy and cooperation from your friends it will pay off in the long run. Keep in mind... She is still young... GSDs respond WONDERFULLY to positive Reenforcement.

Answer 9

just train the dog. If it jumps on someone say no and tell it to sit if that doesnt work put it on a leash and tie the leash to the door. it might bark or wine but just leave it there for 30 minutes everyday until it understands. I have 8 dogs and they all did the same thng but now there trained

Answer 10

German Shephards are one of the most brilliant of breeds. Unless she is biting, let her experience people. Never confuse ruffness with enthusiasm and a need to associate.