Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

Thank you so much for the advise. I will investigate the trainer idea...

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

I learned alot using Cesar Milans technuques. Buddy used to take me for a walk, not anymore.

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

German Shepherds are NOTORIOUSLY mouthy, in BOTH senses of the word! This is one breed that just LOVES using its mouth to try to influence the world around it; remember, the first Kong toy was invented FOR a German Shepherd BY its frustrated owner! Still, part of your problem is bound to be plain puppy-ish high-spiritedness and youth at work, and that can always be worked on/improved over time; still, absolutely, no two ways about it, a good trainer can and will make a HUGE difference, the difference between "you training your dog," or "your dog training you!"

That was exactly the case with a (from working-stock) Border Collie I had. For years, I just could NOT get him to heel, no matter how I tried, but after only a few minutes working with a good trainer and a properly-fitted pinch collar, he was walking at heel like he'd been doing it all his life, and he never went back to dragging me after that. After a few weeks of working with the pinch collar (which the trainer showed me how to fit and use properly) my boy was making me proud every single time I took him for a walk, and I was even able to stop using the pinch collar altogether after just a few weeks.

Pinch collars (NOT "choke chains," which are something else entirely, and can kill a dog if used improperly!) can have a great effect on a dog who loves to pull. The reason pinch collars are so effective is that they emulate the kind of disciplinary action an alpha dog would take towards any pack member that got out of hand, or became unruly; they literally "pinch" a fold of loose skin under the throat, just like an alpha nipping the dog lightly, thus ensuring that you have its full attention. Another useful type of collar is the popular "haltie," which is a lot like a head-stall for a horse, and which also gives much better control over a dog who likes to pull.

Make sure you work with a good trainer a few times to make sure you've got the pinch collar or the "haltie" fitted properly; too tight, and you'll hurt your dog; too loose and you'll have no control whatsoever. Pinch collars are also sometimes called "power steering for dogs," since they give the master/handler so much more authority when walking/handling the dog.

My current dog is a youthful and very energetic Border Collie/German Shepherd mix with a VERY strong neck, and I've been working him with the pinch collar ever since he was big enough to take his first real walks. The sessions with the trainer all those years ago have stood me in very good stead ever since, since I was able to raise and train Taz without any additional help. Taz was VERY eager to please, right from the get-go, and he trained VERY easily, although the mouthing and pulling did present some small problems at first. I've finally got him to the point where he doesn't pull very much anymore, although he'll still forget and start pulling anytime he gets too excited...that's just the price I pay for having such an enthusiastic, energetic young dog, I guess! Being part Border Collie, he WILL get excited, then everything he ever learned just goes flying out the window for a little while, until I can finally get through to him and remind him to show his best manners.

Just like with anything else about raising/training a dog, it's all about putting the time in, loads of patience and plenty of repetition! If you put in the time, you'll get the pay-off, it really is that simple. Putting the time in with a good trainer will have even bigger pay-offs, and will soon give you a dog you'll be proud to be seen with. Good luck, and happy pet-parenting!

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

as for the pulling, try the dogfather training. "secrets to training the perfect dog" it comes with a special collar and dvd's on training. i have a brittany spaniel, that pulled me down the street when i first got her. i tried a backpack full of water bottles, halti collars, the caeser millan illusion collar. nothing worked, but the dogfather. now she walks along my lab and me, not pulling at all. you can look at it at the website http://dogfather.tv/ it is well worth the money.

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

Have you watched the trainer on the Animal Planet show, ''It's Me or the Dog''? She just had a segment on a Boxer who not only put visitor's hands in his mouth, but jumped up and kissed everyone- she had the friendly but unwanted behavior stopped quickly, and let the dog figure it out. What she taught was, when you know that a dog is going to do this, turn around with hands out reach. By turning your back, the dog not only quit the licking, etc., but stopped everything in order to see what was the right behavior- or what would get him a pet on the head. Once he realized that it was the person who would greet him and not the other way around, he calmly waited to be greeted. It was amazing and it worked.

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

Have you watched the trainer on the Animal Planet show, ''It's Me or the Dog''? She just had a segment on a Boxer who not only put visitor's hands in his mouth, but jumped up and kissed everyone- she had the friendly but unwanted behavior stopped quickly, and let the dog figure it out. What she taught was, when you know that a dog is going to do this, turn around with hands out reach. By turning your back, the dog not only quit the licking, etc., but stopped everything in order to see what was the right behavior- or what would get him a pet on the head. Once he realized that it was the person who would greet him and not the other way around, he calmly waited to be greeted. It was amazing and it worked.

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

I feel your pain, I have 3 shepherds myself, 1 of them is just 8 months and they all go through this. Make sure, for starters that they know whos in charge. My youngest is the most strong willed out of the 3. He has a tendency to jump and be mouthy too. His behavior follows a pattern though. They are inside dogs, and when I would put them out for a while, he has a tendency to be jumpy and mouthy when I let him in. Now when I let him in I spend the first few minutes by somewhat ignoring him. As soon as he sees that the jumping doesn't get him the attention he wants he stops. Also when people come to the house, I make sure and tell them not to pet him when he jumps. Give him a few seconds, he figures out that when he's calm and not jumping or mouthing, that's when he gets the attention. I assure you that this will pass.

Also, I make it a point about once a week to go to the meat market and pick up actual bones for them. I give them good bones to chew on regularly and it seems this cuts down on their need to chew on other things. As soon as they do exhibity any kind of mouthiness I simply go get one of their bones and they are more than content to chew on that. Kind of the old bait and switch routine. Great for keeping their teeth pearly white too!
As far as the pulling, good luck. I've taught mine to heel and they will but they are much happier when they can run. I take them walking or hiking every day. They will not stray from the trails, but I would be less inclined to do this if it were public property. I'm lucky to live on a large property and don't have to leash them but when I do I use the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. It guides them from their chest, so no muzzle or chock chains or anything. They really can't pull with this system.

Re: A Mouthy Shepherd

I have a new to me yellow lab female. I got her just shy of her 3rd birthday and she joined me 8 months ago. If she is not enthusiastically encompassing an end of you with her mouth, she is just as hpppy to lick incessantly. She's my 3rd lab or lab mix in over 25 years and I've never encountered such a tough obstacle. She knows I don't like it and it's a little more than a 'soft' mouth. She smiles every waking moment.

Is this surmountable?