Family wants to give dog away.. any advice stopping them?

Question

Currently, we have a German Shepherd that is wrecking havok on our backyard, through digging holes and also, sometimes she jumps up on us, because her last owners (she was a show dog) rewarded her through letting her jump up, does anyone have any advice through how we can stop her from digging and jumping up?
Also, she's just over a year old, is that makes any difference.

Answer 1

She needs obedience training...she is still just a puppy, practically! Sign up for a local class ASAP. She is probably a very sweet dog that just needs to be taught that you are the head of the household! (Cesar Milan has a book out, too...the Dog Whisperer. You may want to check it out)

Answer 2

Havanese: This is a busy, curious dog; it is happiest when it is the center of attention. It loves to play and clown and is affectionate with its family, children, strangers, other dogs and pets — basically everyone! The Havanese is willing to please and learn easily. Although energetic, the Havanese can have its exercise needs met with a short walk or a good play session. It is not a dog that can live outside. Coat care entails brushing two to four times a week. This is a nonshedding dog, which means that loose hairs are caught in the outer hairs, tending to tangle, unless they are combed out. VERY HEALTHY BREED! • Life span: 12 – 14 years Boxer: The boxer is playful, exuberant, inquisitive, attentive, demonstrative, devoted and outgoing; it is a perfect companion for an active family. It can be stubborn, but it is sensitive and responsive to commands. It may be aggressive toward strange dogs, but it is generally good with other household dogs and pets. It likes to run, but its exercise needs can also be met with a good jog or a long walk on leash. It does not do well in hot weather and is generally unsuited to living outdoors. It does best when allowed to divide its time between a house and yard. Some snore. Its coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair. • Life span: 8 – 10 years Beagle: One of the most amiable hounds, the beagle was bred as a pack hunter and needs companionship, whether human or canine. It loves to explore the outdoors and is an enthusiastic trailer. Given adequate exercise, it is a calm, tractable house pet. It is an excellent child's dog, gentle, incredibly tolerant and always ready to join in a game or an adventure. The beagle needs daily exercise, either a long walk on leash or a romp in a safe area. • Life span: 12 – 15 years

Answer 3

Consider locating a Petsmart in your area. We offer reward based methods and deal with dogs that show problem issues as well. The beginner course can help with all of the issues you mentioned and the results are guaranteed. German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent and for this same reasons get destructive and bored when not given a purpose. Even if that purpose is to be a family pet that is a welcome and obedient member of the family. If she spends a considerable amount of time outside she should be brought inside. This breed was meant to work with a handler and the close companionship of a person. She is still a puppy/teenager and is going through the changes of entering adulthood. With a little guidance and help from a training class you will most likely decide that you own one of the most incredible dogs you have ever known. If you decide that you are not equipped to handle her and decide not to keep her try to contact her original breeder. Most reputable breeders require that their dogs must be returned to them if they are no longer wanted. There are also many rescues available that are able to handle these dogs....www.akc.org...has breed rescue contact information available on this website.

Answer 4

You can train it if it's just a year old. I have an idea, say a word ( BUTTY ) push her butt down so that she is sitting down, then reward her with a treat. When she jumps up on you, say BUTTY and push her butt down and reward her with a treat. Dogs love to dig, you can't really do much about it except saying BUTTY or some word to make her stop. Don't plant flowers or anything you don't want dug up. Fill your yard with pebbles and limestone or whatever. If she dig through the pebble and stones, at least it won't make a mess like dirt.

Answer 5

You certainly can not convince your family all the time. Your dog sounds like it may need more attention. Sometimes, you can't always fix these problems in a pup. Maybe more attention will help, otherwise, you probably need to learn to let go if it will benefit the dog.

Answer 6

you need to spend as much time as possible with her.. It does not sound like she was a show dog, A based on her age, and B, based on her behaviour.. Show dogs are normally incredibly obedient..you need to get her to puppy school and teach her the commands for down and stay.. With lots of attention, she will come around.

Answer 7

Watch the "Dog Whisperer" or email the show for tips. You can also check out the web site.

Answer 8

Well the dog is kinda young so he might learn to stop it. what you gotta do is give the dog a chance of learning that it's bad to do that so everytime it does something bad kick it (not too hard) and yell at it and it should learn not to.

Answer 9

Here is how to stop her digging:
Avoid punishing your dog for digging ' this only teaches her not to dig in your presence. She may resume digging when you're not around.

2. Take her on walks. Dogs often dig to expend energy, and walking is a less destructive way to accomplish this.

3. Put up a fence to keep your dog out of areas ' like your well-manicured lawn ' where you don't want her to dig.

4. Confine your dog in a dog run with toys, shade and water.

5. Keep your dog's sleeping area shaded in hot weather, and supply a wading pool if it's hot outside. Dogs often dig in search of a cool place to lie down.

6. Turn on the sprinklers or spray your dog with a hose each time she starts digging ' this may discourage her from digging if she doesn't like water sprayed on her.

Tips:
Digging is often a result of boredom, so keep your dog occupied with other activities.

Give your dog her own place to dig ' a sandbox or dirt area ' and encourage digging in only that spot by hiding treats for her to find. This allows your dog to enjoy the natural behavior of digging without ruining your yard.

Keep your dog nails trimmed.

Dogs usually dig out of boredom. Years ago when dogs where in the wild, they used to dig to stay cool and make a bed for which to lie in. Chances are, that is not the case with your dog since dogs have become more much domesticated and settled since then. They will dig holes to escape when they feel frustrated or they are bursting with energy and have no where to release it. They will also dig when they are lonely since dogs are very social animals.



If you have a digger and have tried everything, check with your vet. There are mood-altering drugs for the extreme cases to stabilize their emotions. Also communicate with your dog by telling him that you have found him a nice place to dig and don't scold him for not digging in the previous spot. Dogs would rather go by your praise then listen to what you don't want them to do. Spend more time together, by doing so, your dog will not have the time to be bored.


Dogs will also dig and eat the soil if they aren't getting the proper nutrients in their diet. If this is the case, make sure you give them a multi-supplement. You can tell if they are eating the dirt (called pica) or not by their nose being covered with dirt. Usually the underlying case is anemia, but make sure you have them checked by a veterinarian to make sure. A Dog can also get serious bacterial infections from dirt. And the digging and constant abrasions to their nose can cause cancer over a period of time, if left to continue digging holes.


One of the best ways to prevent any of this is by keeping them cool. By keeping them cool, they won't need to bother with the earth as their next choice

I once had a jumping dog and here is how I taught her not to jump. Everytime she jumped I would pull her from legs outfrom her and she would fall on her hunches in a sit position. You could, if she knows the sit command, command her to sit.
Here is some more tips.
Take a treat between your finger and your thumb and hold it above your dogs head. If he is jumping on you click and treat him when all four paws are on the floor. You will notice that after he has been clicked and treated for this a few times he will waste less time jumping. At this point take a treat between your finger and thumb and hold it above your dogs head again but this time slowly ease your hand back until he sits. When he sits quick "click" and give him the treat.

I like to toss the treat a couple feet away from him so he has to get up and go get it. By doing this he moves out of the sitting position so he has to think then sit again. Most dogs will sit when you hold a treat over their head because it is the easiest position to take and still keep an eye on the tasty treat.

Once he has got the idea and will repeatedly sit, click, walk over and get the treat and then come back an sit he is ready for the next step. Now take a few steps back and act kind of happy to get him a little excited. Your pooch may jump on you at this point "habits of the old game" just ignore him if he does. Suddenly the light bulb will go on in his head "hey I know the rules to this game" and he will sit. Click then treat. By Job he's got it! Keep playing after all it's fun to play when you know the rules.

Note:, you can ruin this and get him back to playing the "jumping game" by petting him and giving him attention when he does jump on you. After all it's all a game he plays to get your attention. If he does jump on you, simply turn and walk away. Don't play the jumping game! Instead wait a minute and then play the sitting game outlined.
hope this was of help to you and good luck

Answer 10

You sholud take her to puppy school they can teach you ways to keep her from digging and jumping. i went with my dog and it worked.