German Shepherd rescue out of control. Any trainers out there?

[ohio_liberal]

Hey all! I'm desperately in need of help.

I got a phone call this past week asking if I could take in a 1 year old extremely large German Shepherd that was being evicted from her home. The folks that owned the dog never trained her and kept her tied to a leash 14 hrs a day and in a too-small crate the rest of the time. She barked all day, every day and the local police told them that they had one day to get rid of her or they'd be fined daily. One of my friends picked her up immediately and she went to the vet for a checkup. She's too thin but otherwise healthy. And now here she is with us.

I've owned Shepherds most of my life and I've taken in untrained dogs before but whoo boy, this time I'm stumped. She wants to be a sweet dog and is very friendly but she's a doggie gone completely wild. She's manic in her behavior and I can't get her to calm down at all. I had to order a crate for her (the pet store didn't have a tall one in stock) and it won't be here for 7-10 days. I have another crate that is bigger than the one that came with her but it's still too small and she can't fully stand in it. Today I had to go to the grocery store and I put her and my other Shepherd in the basement. The new doggie literally broke down the basement door, went upstairs, and broke out the kids' room window and was out on the porch roof. The window plexiglass so she didn't get hurt, but OMG, the police came with a ladder while I was gone and put her back in the house and locked her out of the bedroom. I'm a wee tad embarrassed. Ok, I'm way embarrassed. :blush:

Kara paces all night, wants to play rough with the other dog until poor Abbie hides under my feet to get away. I can't pet her without being mouthed very roughly and "no" in any tone just sets her off into mad fits. I've taught her an off-leash basic sit command so far but I can't pick up the pace fast enough that she and everyone else is happy and safe.

So what it comes down to is that I don't know what to do with her until the new crate arrives. I've tried to beg or borrow one from the local shelter but they can't give one up even temporarily. I know some folks are dead set against them but I've ordered her a prong training collar as well. I don't like chokers because of the physical damage they do to the dog and nylons are to me basically useless in training a dog this size.

So does anyone have any suggestions? Or maybe just a hug for poor sweet Kara who desperately wants to be trained?

[MrsMatt]

1. I suppose you've heard of the Monks of New Skete

they specialize in GSDs and have written books about raising and living with them. If you haven't read their books, you might consider picking up one or two. They also have a website - you could probably contact them with you concerns.

[ohio_liberal]

6. No, I hadn't heard of this!

I'm always willing to learn something new though, so I'll definitely look into it. Thanks! :)

[China_cat]

8. They also have videos

You might also ask the vet for 2 weeks worth of Valium for the dog to break the manic cycle and allow you to get some success with training. (I've seen that used on Bouviers out of control with wonderful results)

[IndyOp]

2. Rescue Remedy! Now!

Have you used Rescue Remedy, before? I would put 2-3 drops on her tongue every few hours. She is like a child that's been locked in a bedroom for the first 6 years of their life. She is overwhelmed and freaked out and it is a really, really good thing that she is sweet.

If you don't have a safe room you can lock her in, put her in the crate that is too small while you are gone and when you go to bed until you get the better crate. This *is* an emergency and the crate will keep her, as well as your house, safe.

When your other dog wears out - let her go into another room so she can get a break from the puppy - it would be bad news for the two of them to get into a battle for dominance.

Many, many, many chew toys for the puppy!

I have *no* complaints about prong collars - the prongs are rounded, not sharp, and if fit correctly, the collar won't hurt the dog. If you don't already have a prong collar, however, you might consider trying a harness that stops pulling:

Sensible Harness
< http://www.puplife.com/dogcaretips/senseationharness.html >

[ohio_liberal]

4. All right!

Thank you, thank you! I'm ordering it the Rescue Remedy now. :D

And thanks for the good words about prong collars. There are a lot of folks turned off by them because they look like a torture device but I tell ya, they've been a life saver for me. About 15 years ago I took in a very aggressive male shepherd who did not respond at all to training attempts. One of the sweet ladies from the local shelter gave me a prong collar for him and he was heeling on a lead in an hour rather than dragging me down the street.

My problem with these doggies is that a new one comes along every few years, I buy all the paraphernalia needed, train them, and then when they don't it anymore I give it away to someone who needs it more than I do. Then I'm at a major disadvantage when the next "lost cause" comes along. *sigh* I'll learn someday.

I do have good things to update today. Kara went the entire night without a potty accident and she sat this morning with non-verbal commands. I have high hopes! :) :)

[IndyOp]

12. Yeah! Good report. Let us know how it is going when you can... (nt)

[Lorien]

3. This book really helped a friend with her totally wild lab:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096677261X/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/104-3491654-2899102?%5Fencoding=UTF8

it's written for wolf hybrid owners, but the techniques work well for any dog with behavioral issues.

[ohio_liberal]

5. Thank you!

:hi:

[wildeyed]

7. What is her exercise situation like?

If you could get her tired out, you might have some luck teaching her to be calm in the house. Also, it might help to confine her to a small portion of the house. Since she has been confined to a small area her entire life, suddenly having so much freedom might be overwhelming.

:hug: for Kara who wants to do better and :hug: for you for helping her.

[ohio_liberal]

9. Thanks for the hugs!

I'm walking her twice a day, 8 blocks in the morning and 12-16 at night. It's been raining and nasty for the last couple of days so besides the ritual walks and potty time we've been inside. I play ball with both dogs every day until they're wiped out, and we do the usual tug o' wars and such. I have to use long leads outside right now for Kara because she can jump my fence. She and Abigail do mad running when they're out in the backyard for those short periods of time. Abigail tends towards being overweight and I have to exercise her a lot and the new doggie is getting the same exercise. It'll be more when the weather clears up. Soon, I hope. We hate being cooped up.

You're right, the new freedoms and environment might be causing additional problems to her established behaviors. I was truly afraid to do more psychological damage with the too-small crate but I'll use it a bit until the new crate arrives.

[Jo March]

10. I've emailed a rescue friend of mine for some advice

She's taken in dogs in various stages of training - most without training. I'm waiting for her response.

Is she food motivated? Can you use food to motivate her to sit and stay?

[Jo March]

11. Got this from my friend who does rescues

"My best advise would be to email the Shepherd Rescue. They would be the best people to ask. So would Wylyn, but I have to ask her if I can give her email address out first.

Tell her to do a search on the net for a Shepherd Rescue in Ohio. The one in NC is awesome, but if she can find one closer, it may be easier for her. They will want to help !"

Have you tried the Shepard Rescue to see if they have any advice or a spare crate?

[ohio_liberal]

13. 1/09 UPDATE

Well, the new crate came and I was just so happy to see it! Unfortunately it hasn't lasted but two days. Kara broke it and escaped into the house when I was at the grocery store yesterday. Doggoneit!

The rescue remedy hasn't arrived yet but I'm hoping it will come on Monday.

She finally let me roll her over and look at her belly and she's in HEAT! I don't know how long she may have been in heat so I've got to take her to MY vet and get her spayed ASAP. The people who left her outside just kept her on a chain she so she might have been impregnated. The vet who initially examined her said nothing about her being in heat. It was a very basic exam though, and the vet didn't know if the person who took her was the owner and breeding her so I can't be too harsh about it.

Kara has calmed down just a little bit and is responding very well to new commands both verbal and non-verbal. The issue of course is to try to change the bad habits. It'll come, I'm certain of it. She's getting along well with Abigail but she's still a too mouthy with my kids but at least she's not knocking them over anymore :D

[IndyOp]

14. Wow - you are patient!!

I am really sorry that I did not mention that you can purchase the Rescue Remedy at most 'health-food' stores/co-operative groceries -- you could call around and see who has it in stock. It can help with separation anxiety - which is the polite explanation for why Kara broke the crate and escaped. (I hope the damage from her being loose wasn't too extensive!)

Congratulations on making progress with her - spaying might help a lot - at least over a few weeks time. Yikes!

:hi:

[wildeyed]

15. Oh my!

You are a very patient soul. I wish I had more advice, but other than doggie valium (and maybe some for you, too), can't think of a thing. Good luck! :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Have you ever heard of the Anxiety Wrap?

I used to help my German Shepherd deal with thunderstorm and fireworks anxiety, but it is used for gentle training as well. It is a soft, flannel/ stretchy material that fits around them, and somehow soothes them.

www.anxietywrap.com



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