Thread: 14 week GSD puppy way too friendly

Hello Sanjays Brother
Congratulations on finding your new dog and partner in crime.
At 14 weeks, i would concentrate on building your relationship with your pup. Exposing it in a controlled manner to every social situation you think it may have to face in the future. At 14 weeks, you only have 2 weeks left to lay down your pups socialisation training. Be your aim to have a dog that will be indiferent to other people and dogs when working, or a very friendly family pet.

Ive owned rottweilers and GSD's but never have i owned one that would not gaurd me and mine, instinctively, yet they were all stupidly friendly pups.

"She has been to two puppy classes, which in my opinion completely ruined her and was a grave mistake." There are varied opinions on the merit/demerits of attending so called "puppy classes". I doubt however that the impact, which by your description was a positive one for your pup, would have lasting negative effect. In what way do you fear it has ruined her?

"She is extremely friendly towards complete strangers" Why wouldnt she be? She is completely niaive and trusting. Showing no fear and being confident, is exactly the right temperment you would want in a pup surely? Naturally inquisitiveness is a requirement of learning for your pup.

"now she runs to everyone for attention." Are you 100% sure of her motivation for seeking socialisation is attention seeking? Could it perhaps be her natural play and pack drives? I wonder if you are imposing human attributes such as self awareness, consequential thinking, manipulation etc to certain natural drives in your dog. I doubt very much it is from any lack on your part for providing attention. But pups are gregarious and extreemly nosy creatures!

"What can I do to make this puppy less distracted" Be patient. Baby steps. Teach each exercise precisely, consistently, and with repetition after repitition after repitition, oh and did i mention repitition? Then when you are 100% confident that you pup knows and understands an exercise taught and practices in the back yard, add distrations, eg. another dog tied up, with a family member present, at your local oval etc. Time and consistency in your methods are what develops your dogs focus on YOU. Its focus development over time that will eventually land you with a dog that doesnt react to cats running accross its path, as it cant see the cat as its watching you, waiting all a quivver for the next command, because you MIGHT, reward it with drive satisfaction. As you and your dogs relationship develop, the dog will see you as the most rewarding person to focus on. You bring it work, challenges to solve, affection and rewards. Others simply cannot compete. You will have another Sanji, but that's a adult GSD, what you have is a adorable clutz right now, who's ears are pointing in different directions, has more energy than co'ordination, and a accident waiting to happen. AKA a 14 week old GSD pup.


There are puppy development calenders on the internet, dogs go through various developmental phases. The gaurding and dominant behaviours become far more prominent in adolesence. Around the 12 month mark for your female GSD. They also become selectively deaf at this stage too! Bear with it, get tough, and push through. Teenage angst is not just the province of human house mates, believe me. You will need to of done thorough basic training with your dog before it hits the Adolescant phase or behavioural problems can begin to occur.
At 14 weeks, your dog is learning about its family, its status and the status of others in its family. What works and doesnt work when it comes to getting you off your backside and playing with them. Bite inhibition needs teaching now if you are not doing protective work in future. But at a level where you simply redirect the pup onto its tug toy rather than your lengerie please!

I guess asking yourself what it is you want from your pup will direct you on what and how to introduce your pup to over the coming weeks and months of training her.

Certain specialist canines need specialist puppy development, developing drives etc. For a pet, you perhaps dont want certain drives developed. DO you wish to trial? in what? or do you want a beautifully well mannered obedient family pet?

I wish you both all the best of luck together. Have fun in your training together

Bernie

the puppy preschool has not ruined your dog, if you've only been to two sessions that equates to an entire 2 hours out of the dogs life.

Use this as a learning experience. OK your dog now sees people and dogs as very rewarding ... why is it in 2 hours more rewarding then you as an owner? What do you need to do to build that relationship with your dog?

Locking your pup away to make it bond more to you is the lazy way. You want a bomb proof dog learn to build the human-dog bond a little more. You are attached to your pup, closer then then other dog/person so you have an advantage. At puppy class dont feed your dog before and bring really smelly, fresh treats. Call your dog back to you, reward with food so your dog learns you are better. Instead of whinging about everything use it as a situation to make your dog one better then everyone elses because you have proofed it from the very beginning to choose you over everything else AND by choice. Not every dog is the same, this dog obviously needs something different from your last dog.

Socialisation does not mean pushing the dog into situations and letting it do whatever it decides to do. The point is to expose the dog to things and TEACH it the appropriate wanted behaviour and reinforce it heavily.

Guys this puppy is now over 8 months old lol.

8 months old.
I wonder how the relationship developed?

Old thread.The dog is nearly 18 months old

Lol thanks Shane, i got it wrong by a year, keep thinking its 2011