Ask a Trainer8 Things I've Learned from My Dog-Training Clients

Dogster

German Shepherd/Breed Unknown

Photo Comments

Home:Surrey, BC, Canada

Age: 13 Years Sex: Male Weight: 51-100 lbs

Dogster stats for Patrick


Stars:

Leave a bone for Patrick

Nicknames:
Patty, Pads, Patty Poo, Patty Boy, Cazy dog, My boy

Doggie Dynamics:

Energy

sleepy		energetic

Intelligence

silly		genius

Friendliness

aggressive		affectionate

Playfulness

not playful		very playful

Disposition

anxious		calm

Quick Bio:

-pound dog

Likes:
bacon, running, squeeky toys, pulling the stuffing out of stuffed toys, food, running through water, playing with other dogs, my neices and nephew, wrestling, having someone chase him, arguing with my sister

Pet-Peeves:
People and dogs staring straight at him, not coming first because its all about him, not getting fed first because its all about him, not getting greeted 1st when we come home because its all about him, getting outsmarted by sister

Favorite Toy:
chew toys

Favorite Food:
bacon

Favorite Walk:
anywhere outside

Best Tricks:
doing figure eights through my legs, twirling left, then right, is learning to crawl on belly

Arrival Story:
Patrick was adopted from a local SPCA shelter. He was originally a birthday present from me to my mother. She picked him because he looked like the German Shepherd I grew up with. He lasted 2 weeks with my mother and then he came to live with me. Little did we know he was crazy.

Bio:
After several months of living with me, Patrick began to become the dog he really was. Patrick began nipping/biting people at work . I used to take him to work with me every day. This had to stop. I had a couple of trainers assess Patrick for me. The 1st one told me his problem was that he thought he was the alpha in my household and was protecting me. That didn't hit home for me. I found another trainer. She did told me Patrick was a fear biter. He was actually afraid of most people male or female but would bite men because they tended to be more aggressive/threating in their approach to him. He was also extremely anxious (which is common for German Shepherds) and could not relax when I was out walking him. The poor dog was always wondering what was going to come out at him. After this startling revelation, I isolated Patrick from the world as I tried to work with some of his issues. After isolating him for a year and making very little progress on my own, I began taking him to dog classes where they used only positive reinforcements. Patrick is now in intermediate class. He loves it and so do I. He trust me and loves working with me in class and, although still reactive, takes his cues from me. I can now walk through a busy strip mall or park with Patrick. Last week, I actually was able to let go his leash and walk away from him and he just looked at me without "freaking out". It was quite an achievement.

I've Been On Dogster Since:

January 23rd 2004