White German Shepherds

Question
Hi, I'm the owner of a white shepherd and she is driving me crazy, she is 8 months old and I have tried taking her to training but no luck. She is hard to walk on a leash, when she was smaller i tried to take her for a walk and the nieghbor dogs scared her so now I can barely get her out of the house on  a leash. But that is only one problem, I try to make her mind and it is just impossible, i lose patience with her constantly. Another thing she does is jump on everyone who enters the house. We can be gone an hour and it's like we have been gone for days. Well I could go on and on so the question that I have is, are white shepherds harder to train than other shepherds? Thank you for your time

Answer
I have just started responding to questions in this category and saw your unanswered question. It is good to see such a caring dog owner. I hope your answer is not too late.  I gave a similar response today.  See it below.

How is your dog doing now.

Your dog is or was aggressive for many reasons not just one.  Aggression in dogs comes from Lack of Exercise - Outlet for pent up energy, Lack of Boundaries, Confusion, Fear, Uncertainty, nervousness many factors contribute to aggression.

I can understand your frustration.  It's hard to know what to do if you don't understand where your dog is coming from.   With a few changes in the way you relate to your dog, you will see very positive changes in short order.  Your Dog is in fight mode when he is aggressive.  She wants to protect either himself or you.  This is not a good state to stay in it will definitely lead to bigger and bigger problems.

Since you have not stated that you correct your dog I'll need to cover a number of areas. Your dog needs exercise and your dog needs to know the rules in dog speak.  Your dog needs a pack leader he can trust and submit to.

UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG
The first thing you need to know is that dogs are at their happiest when they are in their submissive state.  You're dog can't submit when he is in fight mode.  It appears that he switches from fight to Flight mode when you attempt to correct him. 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 corrects inappropriate behavior and ensures that the Dogs needs are met.  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.  If they are asked to come and they comply only to get into trouble they are afraid to come the next time because when they come they get into trouble.

BE A PACK LEADER
A pack leader is not someone that is mean to a dog, gets angry at the dog, yells at the dog, is inconsistent in behaviors.  Dogs don't listen to that behavior they defend themselves from it.  A pack Leader is Consistent and can be trusted.

BE A PACK LEADER AND WALK YOUR DOG
German Shepherds are high energy dogs.  They need an outlet for all that energy.  Walking is a must a minimum of 1.5 hours daily.

In the Wild dogs usually migrate each day looking for food Walking mimics what they would naturally do in the wild.

BE A PACK LEADER - TEACH YOUR DOG TO HEAL BY YOUR SIDE
Teaching a dog to heal is not as hard as most people think.  The proper way to walk a dog is to have him walk on your left with a lose lead. Not behind, not pulling (you're the leader not him), not trying to chase other dogs, not barking at people or animals.

In order to teach your dog to heal, start by keeping the leash very short.  Just long enough to keep him at your side.  Walk tall, shoulders back and walk like you need to go somewhere (until the dog learns to stay by your side).

HOW TO CORRECT A DOG WHILE WALKING ON A LEAD
A dog that is pulling, sniffing, going the other way, barking at people etc. needs to be corrected.

3 Ways to Correct
1.  Look Your Dog In The Eye, Pull the lead towards you with a short fast jerk. Don't hurt the dog.  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).  The goal is to put your dog in a relaxed state of mind.  Put your thumb in your pocket to get used to where it should be.  Hold the access lead in your right hand.

2.  Adopt a verbal correction.  I say Shhh very fast in an authoritative manner while quickly pulling the lead towards me.  I also use the words Ah Ah Ah for corrections around the house.  My dogs hear that Ah Ah Ah and stop what they are doing and do something else.

3.  If the dog remains stubborn, I gently touch the dog with my foot. I do not kick the dog or hurt the dog  I simply touch him to get his attention.  I often teach my dog to sit when I stop.  And if stubborn I often stop.

The above corrections are designed to take the dog's attention off what he is doing 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 occur at the moment the dog acts.  You can prevent pulling by correcting just as he turns his head to pull.  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 Heal, Good Sit In an excited Tone.  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.

BE A PACK LEADER - FIND WAYS TO ENJOY YOUR DOG AND BURN OFF ENERGY

BIKE WITH YOUR DOG
Get an attachment for your bike so you can run your dog without him pulling you over.  My dogs love bike rides.  It burns off excess energy fast.  I love it too, because I can go as fast as them.


RETRIEVE.
Walk to a field and get your dog to retrieve a ball.  All that running is good for Your Dog and he will love you for it.


BE A GOOD PACK LEADER - SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG
Until a dog has been in a specific situation he does not always respond the way we want.  For that reason the Dog needs to be exposed to many different things.

Have your dog sit or lay at your side and practice having friends walk in front of you and around you.  Correct your dog as above for in appropriate behavior.

If your dog does not react.  Let your friends come up to him slowly.  No Eye contact, hand out.  Let him sniff their hand and look at them.  If he reacts.  Correct him as above.  If he accepts them.  Praise him.

Practice in many situations.  Someone at the door.  Socialize your dog with children, with bikes, skateboards, busy streets, loud machinery, to give him confidence on how to handle the situation.

Teach your dog to pay attention to you on walks and to avoid dogs and distractions.  But also teach your dog proper behavior around other dogs and people, socialize him with your neighbors and friends and their dogs.

DO NOT LET YOUR DOG JUMP ON YOU.  BE THE BOSS.  If he jumps on you turn your back to him. This tells him that you do not like what he is doing.  Turn around and ask him to sit.  Do not pay attention to your dog if he jumps up on you.  Teach him that you expect him to sit to get attention.  Correct him with the Shhh.  or Ah Ah Ah.  In time your dog will learn if he wants your attention he must first sit.  Praise him when he sits for you and give him lots of attention.  He will soon put it together.

BE A PACK LEADER WHEN YOU FEED YOUR DOG.
Do NOT leave food out all day for your dog.  Do not feed your dog until after his walk in the Morning so he feels like he earned it as he would in the wild.

Ask your dog to sit.  Do not give him his bowl until he sits and stays.

Put the bowl down and then tell him to go eat.

Leave the food out for 15 minutes.  The remove the Bowl.  This teaches your dog that Meal Time Is meal time.  If he has to miss a few meals, he'll learn to eat when the bowl goes down.

Praise Your Dog For Good Behavior.


PRACTICE LEAVE IT COMMAND
Practice a Leave It command by Placing food on the floor.  Hold his collar as he is lying down.  When he goes for the food say Leave it and hold him back by his collar.  When he moves back say Good Dog.  Teach him to look at you and wait until you say OK before he gets the treat.  Make noise, a clicking sound with your mouth to get his attention at first.  I've taught all my dogs this and meal time is a piece of cake...Uh Kibble....

This translates into leaving things he shouldn't get into around the house....

A dog with rules and boundaries, and exercise is a happy dog.  Doing this teaches your dog how you will react to.  The more he can anticipate your reaction the more he will want to please you.  Educate Your self on how to relate to your dog.  There are many good books out there to help you.

I recommend Dog Training for Dummies and Books by Ceasar Milan on behavior issues and being a pack leader.   Check out my bookstore at http://www.gallantshepherds.com/bookstore.htm  I carry all dog related books. The more educated you are the better you and your dog will get along.  I really hope this helps.

I hope This Helps your relationship With Your Dog.

Please contact me any time with your questions and concerns.  I assure you our response will be faster.