New Son

**berettabone** · 01-01-2025, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by djd100

Interesting! I train GSD's and Belgians, don't know much about Heelers aside that they're in the herding group (had a girl friend with one once, great dog but stubborn!)?

I've found that mouthy dogs need a firm no and a quick redirect into obedience, say some sits, stays, downs, and heeling exercises with stops, circles, and turns etc, and chew toys are only given as a reward for performance. As to jumping, a quick knee to the chest when they jump, and/or a light step on the rear feet will discourage unwanted contact, being careful to not knee or step too hard of course.

To me he was asserting himself by herding you guys LOL, just as my current Belgian Tervuren/German Shepherd mix does to us (though without the mouthiness). It sounds to me that the dog really needed a lot of running to drain some energy, and you thoughts about ball/toy obsession is spot on as it's quite common in shelter dogs (as my Belgian/GSD mix is another prime example, and it's something we have to manage, especially around other dogs excepting her 100lb GSD boyfriend).

It sounds like a farm with some real herding work would be the ideal situation for Micah, hope it works out for him!

Happy New Year everyone!

Rapunzel the Belgian Tervuren/German Shepherd mix and her big German Shepherd boyfriend, Data...

I applaud your patience........they're not for everyone. Once you own one, and understand the breed, it becomes a little easier. They'll take all the input you want to give them.

**djd100** · 01-01-2025, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by berettabone

I applaud your patience........they're not for everyone. Once you own one, and understand the breed, it becomes a little easier. They'll take all the input you want to give them.

Yes indeed!

Rapunzel is our fourth GSD/BSD, while her boyfriend Data is one of the GSD rescues I helped adopt out to a close friend of ours. Rapunzel was/is a Belgian/GSD mix with serious issues that I took in as she needed an experienced handler due to dog aggression, plus noise and separation anxieties (mostly cured now, but still there at times, so situational awareness is key!). On the other hand Data is likely the best GSD I've ever worked with, just the best German Shepherd in every way (though he was likely an outside dog as a pup I'm thinking seeing his only flaw is that he's a sloppy water drinker LOL!).

I will continue to work with them via the GSD Rescue as long as I'm able, love them till death do us part.

**jeepster09** · 01-02-2025, 02:49 PM

And here is my HOME DEFENDER
Prowlers beware.....

**Barth** · 01-02-2025, 06:48 PM

My favorite dog was a Doberman named Nikki.
She was the best.
Got her at 6 weeks old about the time my first son was born.
Their first Christmas we had a little xmas tree and put presents under it.
My son was too young to get the whole thing.
Nikki got a rawhide bone that she normally loved.
But she wouldn't touch it!
My wife asked - "what's wrong with Nikki"?
I realized our presents were wrapped and hers wasn't.
Wrapped her bone and gifted it to her.
She was so happy to tear the paper off the present and enjoy her bone.
Anyone that thinks dogs don't think and have feelings are flat wrong.