Older GS with a stubborn streak

Question
I have a GS, he is about 11 years old, I've had him for about 5 years. I found him running on the side of a highway with no tags. With no luck finding his owners after contacting every local shelter and running an ad in the paper I took him in as my own. He is a great dog. Full of life and energy and I trust him with my life. My only problem is, recently he has become so stubborn, he just will not listen on the first command. It takes 3 times for me to get him to sit and lay and when we are out in front of the house with no leash he rarely listens at all unless he wants something, for instance, me to throw the ball. I know this isn't a hearing issue because he hears people walking on the street in my neighborhood. What can I do? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer
You are to be commended for giving your dog a new home.

German shepherds are very smart.  They learn a great deal from the way you interact with them.  Apparently your dog has learned that in some cases he doesn't have to listen to you.  He has learned that as a pack leader you are not consistent don't necessarily appropriately correct for inappropriate behavior.  He's starting to do what he wants.  Dogs tend to only do what is in their best interests.  If they know they will be appropriately corrected, they will learn to avoid correction.  

A dog will go into various states, Fight, Flight, Prey Avoidance, Submission, a good pack leader learns how to bring their dog to a relaxed submissive state.

The first thing you need to know is that dogs are at their happiest when they are in their submissive state.  In the wild the pack leader sets the boundaries and the dogs eagerly comply.  They know it is in their best interests to do so - their life depends on it.  A pack leader immediately and appropriately, corrects inappropriate behavior and ensures that the dogs needs are met.  Corrections should be   

Dogs live in the present so they don't know what they are in trouble for when they get heck for something they did yesterday or an hour ago or even 20 seconds ago. They should only be corrected when in the act.

One example of how humans are inconsistent and unpredictable with their dogs.  

If they are asked to come and they comply only to get into trouble for something they did earlier, they are afraid to come the next time because when they come they get into trouble.  

BE A PACK LEADER
For reference:  A pack leader is not someone that is mean to a dog, gets angry at the dog, yells at the dog, is inconsistent or unpredictable in behaviors.  Dogs don't listen to that behavior they defend themselves from it.  Dogs also sense anxiety, fear, frustration.  A pack leader is confident and relaxed.  A pack leader provides sound structure, is consistent and can be trusted.  


Corrections on or off lead

1.  Adopt a verbal correction.  I say Shhh very fast in an authoritative manner while quickly pulling the lead towards me (if on lead).  Used in a consistent manner my dog's understand this means a correction.  I use this verbal correction off and on lead.  Off Lead I point at my dog, look him in the eye, square off to him in a dominant position and say Shhh.  I also gently move the dog, say, to a sit or down position, to assist him to know what I want.  I NEVER, YELL AT MY DOGS!  I teach by example and Praise for good behavior. (Good Sit, Good Down, Good Heel, Good Stay, etc.)

2.  Correct with Lead - Pull the lead towards you with a short fast jerk. Don't hurt the dog, don't yank so hard to create a neck injury.  It is only to get his attention off what he is doing and on to you.  And then relax your arm keeping it by your pant pocket.  (if you want your dog to relax, you must relax! If you want your dog to be confident in you, be confident yourself!).  The goal is to put your dog in a relaxed state of mind and to keep him in that state.  He won't go there if you're not there.  Put your thumb in your pocket to get used to where it should be.  Hold the access lead in your right hand.

3.  If the dog remains stubborn

While on a walk, in combination with the Shhh and a lead correction, I gently touch the dog with my foot. If your dog is on your left, use your right foot, bring it behind your left leg to touch the dog.  I do not kick the dog or hurt the dog, I simply touch him to get his attention off of what he is doing and on to me.  The goal is to shift from one drive to the other and get is attention on me in order to place him in the relaxed submissive state.  

Your dog won't submit if he is afraid or intent on being the pack leader. The key is to get and stay relaxed. I ask my dogs to sit if they are stubborn and after I have their complete attention, I continue on.

The above corrections are designed to take the dog's attention off what he is doing or what he wants to put his attention on you.  The more he is corrected the more he will learn to pay attention to you and the less he will do the undesired behavior.   

Corrections must ONLY OCCUR AT THE MOMENT THE DOG ACTS.  Not 10 minutes later, an hour later and so on.  

You can prevent pulling or aggressiveness by correcting just as he turns his head to pull or to become aggressive.  You can prevent barking by correcting the moment he starts to bark.

CONSISTENCY is the key.  Your dog will learn fast.

PRAISE YOUR DOG
Just as important is Praise.  When your dog is doing what you want.  Say Good Heel! Good Sit!.  This gives your dog a word picture he can relate to desired behavior.  Pet your Dog.  Hug Him.  Give him a treat when he is doing what you want.  

If he knows you like it he'll continue the behavior. You must be consistent!

IGNORE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR ie, a dog that jumps up.  Owners should correct, relay a command such as off, and turn their back, not giving the dog attention until the dog sits.  when sitting, only then should the dog get attention.  Owners all too often give the dog attention even when doing inappropriate behaviors.  This only encourages the inappropriate behavior.

A dog with rules and boundaries, structure, consistency and exercise are a happy dogs.  Doing this teaches your dog how you will react too.  The more he can anticipate your reaction the more he will want to please you.

To assist with dog behavior issues that may arise, training, or learning to become a pack leader, I recommend purchasing some books on these subjects. The more educated a pet owner is about his or her dog, the better he or she can understand his or her pet, the more balanced and happy all of you will be.  

More info, help, books and dvd's on these subjects and more are available on my website.

Wishing you and your dog all the best.

Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com