German Shepherd issues!

[brackster]

Hi, I have a 7 and a half year old GSD bitch who has a couple of wee issues I'd like to at least manage!

1. She HATES the postman (doesn't matter if it's not the same one who delivers post) - she's even run across a road in our road to bark at him when he was putting post through a neighbours door - it's a v.v.v. quiet road luckily! How can I help come to love the postie??!

2. She's crap on the lead too, unless pulling my arms off is good! She's good at coming back, stopping at roads, sitting, staying etc, she just wants to get where we're going really quickly so she can chase her stick!

3. Suggestions on getting a 7 and a half year old GSD to meet a puppy when she's not the most dog friendly germie!?

PS - other than all this she's really lovely!

[snook]

Sounds like she might have had a bad experience with someone in a uniform. If that's happened, not surprising she associates the uniform with bad memories. You could use a similar uniform (just use a dark jacket and pants and a borrowed cap, and carry a biggish bag) and either you or someone you trust (and the dog trusts!) approach the dog while wearing the uniform. She might spook a bit, then calm down. Play with her and reassure her. Let her play with the bag. Take the cap off and stroke her with it. Let her associate new memories with the uniform. If necessary, do it several times, over a period of a few days.

About the lead... when you take her out, stop right outside the door, or the gate, and don't move. She'll go a bit wild, but just stop and wait. And wait. Eventually, she'll settle down. Then go for the walk. If she's still jerky, stop and wait, let her settle again, then move on, when it suits you. It will take a while, but she'll get the message: this is something that she has no say in - she can only walk on when it suits you. You will need to make sure she can relieve herself before you go, otherwise you'll have a different problem!

About the pup... take your dog to meet the pup, on its own territory. Keep her on a short lead and insist that she stays calm, by holding her still if necessary. Only give her any freedom at all once she's settled down. Give her time to get the message. Dogs are very astute (specially GSDs), but you have to make sure you're sending the right message, otherwise don't blame them if they're getting it all mixed up.

[lankeela]

Its not just that she hates the postman - she is protecting her territory and every day this intruder comes and tries to gain access - she barks at him and he goes away. So she thinks she has won, and then there he is againt the next day, so she has to bark a bit louder, and off he goes again! Arrange to meet the postman outside your house with her on a lead and laying down. Get the postman to give her a treat if he is willing - most would prefer to meet the dogs and get them used to him as they don't want to be at risk every time they post a letter. If she is willing to take a treat, then gradually meet him nearer your front door.

I doubt if you will stop her barking at him completely, its what dogs do when the postmas comes! You could try a water pistol, it works for mine - I just have to say 'where's that gun' - mind you that probably frightens the postie more than the dogs!

As for running across a road - no matter how quiet the road and how well trained the dog, please don't take such a risk. No dog is so well trained that they should be off lead anywhere near a road - it might not be your dog that causes a problem, another dog might chase it or something might frighten it into running across a road.

As for pulling, take her to training classes - she is never too old for you to be taught how to handle her!