Whats the best way?? - Page 1

I have a 10 wk. old gsd puppy. I've tried to google the best scheduel to put her on in terms of feeding and training, but I can't find anything. When I put her in her crate at night all she does os whine. She won't stop until I let her out in the morning and I can't get any sleep because of it. I wanna know what the best way to train her is because I don't want to be mean, but at the same time I don't want her to decide when to listen to me. I've heard with treat training that can happen and I would like to know how to avoide that problem. If any one has any ideas or expierence on how  to train a well behaved dog I would really love it if you would speak up. Thanks.

10 weeks...she is so young, what kind of training are you talking? for now everything out of the crate is "training"..potty breaks, play time w/o biting your hands...it does not take much to tire out a puppy...a 30 min play time in back yard should knock her out for a couple of hours...i bet around 8-9 pm after you had your dinner and she had hers, while you watch TV she sleeps on your lap or next to your feet...and than 2-3 hours later you get up to go to bed and she is up and ready for play? right?....don't let her snooze at that time..keep her busy, tire her out so she would be happy to get to bed and fall asleep...and when she wakes up have a beef bone for her to chew on, she wont stay quiet all night but you should be good for 5-6 hours and sounds like that more than what you are getting right now.

If she is new to the crate Brittany it will take a couple of nights.  She will soon be quiet in her crate you just have to be patient.  Make sure she has gone potty before you put her in for the night so that isn't the problem.  As long as her needs are taken care of do not let her out when she whines or she will whine to get you to let her out.
At this age, I did get up to let them out in the middle of the night if they whined, just to be sure they didn't have to go potty. 

Feed her three times a day  until 6 or 7(depending on your schedule) at night then the food and water goes away.  Put her to bed right before you go to bed and let her out first thing in the morning.  Always have a bone for her to chew on in her crate to keep her busy in between and a toy.

Right now all you want to do is get your puppy to  bond to you.  Leash training is important also than she learns she has to come when you say come (as she is on a lead) and when she is with you, you can make sure she gets outside to potty, and  that she doesn't chew something she is not supposed to that may be harmful.

Instead of treats for a reward you can use a toy if you like for some things.  They work great too, and of course praise.  You can teach her things like come (always praise when she does, even if she was doing something naughty before) and sit and encourage her not to jump on you.  It will make life easier when she gets too big for that.  Also as LF said, redirect to a toy when she bites you.

Is your puppy a little biting monster? or not too bad?

Go to Wal Mart and pick up some earplugs, may help a ittle bit and not expensive to try. Might help sleeping to get you through this silly stuff that will gradually stop.

Had a response a couple of nights ago and lost it so I'll try again. The first two responses I'd agree with, the third one I wouldn't for security/safety reasons. I think I read where you have other dogs? (I could be wrong) The whining could be for many reasons. Did you just get her? If so she has just left the family she has only known both dog and human. Let her settle in. She could be whining for loneliness and wants to be with you? She could be whining for everything she just left? She could be whining to let you know it's time to go "potty"? Many things.

When I first get a pup, I give it full attention (@ 2 wks) especially during the night. It'll be rough but it will be worth it. All of my dogs except one, (Czech) were house broken in one night or two nights. Czech ? 4 wks. But the pup is near to me and as soon as a whine or whimper, lights on and pup is whisked outdoors.

For training; You didn't state what type. But the pup is learning already. With or without you. If bite work or prey motivation, I can send some info but won't send it now since you might not being taking that route. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Well shes getting better in her crate at night so I guess she just had to get used to it. Since she is so young all I really want her to know is basic obedience. Later on when she's older I might want to train her in protection. I read that gsd's are'nt all that affectionate when it comes to cuddling so I try not to let that get to me. When I put her food down how long should I leave it down for?

We are all going to see our dogs differently and at times somewhat the same. I have never heard or read (not saying it isn't out there) that GSDs are not affectionate/cuddling aspect. All my GSDs, even the service dog are affectionate. My Czech female is one of the most affectionate/cuddler of any dog I have ever owned. She stays on the bed the entire night and can't lay next to you but has to be on/in you. That's how close she cuddles.

All my GSDs LOVE children. My 9 yr. old male use to play with my friends' Pom and little girl, she was a TINY one. And instantly he was attached to her and would stay close. And play and look out for her. He is at times a "younger" dog when children are around. You can just see the change.

You are (in my eyes) to be the "everything", "all", "the universe" to your dog(s). With mine, EVERYONE wants to be at my feet, at my side, walking next to me, having me pet/stroke them, talk or pay attention to them. Wherever I am at, indoors, outdoors, going for a ride.... They want to be there. I know no other way. Some would say I care more for my dogs then humans. I just think the bond is that strong.

The majority of what that dog brings to the table depends on you and your environment. 

I had one dog that wasnt' that affectionate, and I really liked that aspect.  Now I have a dog that literally hugs me, and acts like she wants to absorb herself in me.   So, honestly, they are all different!  Yours could be very affectionate, once she bonds with you. 

I know people say males and females are the same, but my female is definitely more attached to me than any male I've  had.  Males are more worried about every female dog out there.


As for the food, I had it down the whole time the pup was out with me and I've never had a dog that overeats.  That is how I do it, but everyone has different ideas.  :)