Need some help urgent!!!! - Page 2

He could be a soft dog and not handle corrections well but if I was a betting man I'd say he had hard corrections from his previous owner when he had an accident. I'd try this approach for a day or too and see if it helps... when you want him to come to you, get down on his level, lay down on the floor or sit on the floor and let him come to you. I'm gonna guess you're taller than 4 foot, so a stern voice from a giant trying to pick him up is probably overwhelming to him, especially if he had a previous bad experience. Think of it as if Big Football snatched you up... yup, you'd probably cry in fear too. And remember to use a silly baby voice when playing with him. Hopefully that'll help.

if you want him to trust you again I would make sure that you are the one caring for him right now, you feed him his food and take him on walks, play tug with him gently, ect ect. But don't corner him or try to make him play, just keep being kind and feeding him.

Bfitz, you talked about your last "walk" - you need to walk your pup without your girlfriend, and you need to walk without a second dog. ( A one hour walk is a lot for a small puppy, it´s better to do several short walks ).
This littles guy needs to get used to you.
Right now I wouldn´t try to pick him up, but knie down and pet him instead, touching him as much as possible, but only as long as he feels well.
Have you been able to rule out any bone or nerve injury? I doubt there is a problem, but worth to check it out.

go see a good trainer. Use his need for food to your advantage. Wait for him to give you attention because he needs something from you [ his meal ] do not go to him but wait for him to seek your attention. If the dog is acting afraid do not praise him. Crate when not with you. When first out of the crate, you should be the only person with him and let him seek your attention, not you fawning over him. More individual time with you [ no other dogs!]

GSDstudent, what is the purpose of crating? We've never crated him to this point as he hasn't had any accidents in the house outside of what we are considering "fear" accidents. Today, so far I have gotten on the ground with him and let him smell and lick me prior to touching him, which seems to help, if I just go directly into touch him at times he becomes submissive laying on his back and opening his legs as if he wanted to be rubbed and petted, more likely seems a submissive thing with the fear issues. I am going to do more one on one time with just him and I, taking just him out to go potty, just giving him food only. We are going to take him into the vets this week to see if it is an UTI issue, I learned a little more about the previous owners, where the "mother" was overwhelming and smothering of him, he was taken away from his mother younger then he should, usually around 3 months is when GSD should be taken away, from what we've researched, it seems he was taken away at around 2 months which factoring in the chances of strong corrections from previous male owner, overwhelming female owner smothering him and being almost submissive to him, it shows the signs of why this is happening. Corrections being made were for the accidents that happened, it was none physical, didn't touch him, just used a stern tone to tell him no potty, I am equal on both dogs as far as punishments for what they do. I have shown our older dog more love, to lead our pup to show that it's okay, seems to help as well. I think much more 1-1 time is necessary, should we be crating the pup even if he doesn't have an accident or should we continue to let him free like we have been. I thank you all very much for this help, as a combat veteran this dog could help me get rid of medications, with such a long struggle to get into a program getting him has helped, but I also think he picks up on my anxiety, anger that's not directed at anyone or thing, but with PTSD day to day is different but I think he picks up on my emotions and it does affect his when I am trying to approach him.

3 months is super late to wean, 2 is the norm.
I apologize if this is out of line for me to say, but if he is too sensitive to your emotions, perhaps he is not an ideal PTSD candidate.
Hope he works out, he seems to be in a loving home.

There's numerous cases in which veterans use rescue dogs from abuse, homelessness etc. I just feel until he is 100% adjusted and we figure out the issues from previous owners and continue to get him on my side, which with work can happen. I think in experience with veterans who have service dogs it's a bonus that he can read my emotions, it's what he's going to be trained in, waking me from nightmares, getting me out of anxious situations etc, just need to make him more of my dog vs a family dog and I've began doing that more and more trying to separate the difference. I appreciate the advice and opinions, just going to keep working slowly to get things back on track, looking at it as his PTSD issues from what most believe a not so great previous experience with the male owner and helping him to eventually help me.

First and foremost: take him to the vet and be sure he feels OK: Definitely get a fresh urine specimen and take with you to the vet. For now keep him on leash with you with lots of confidence building and play. He is just a baby puppy; help build your relationship with him as the shepherds tend to want to be with the one person that works, plays and feeds them the most.

Make sure he is on a diet that is nutritious and age appropriate for him, preferably not a puppy food. Just be sure his nutritional needs are met. You definitely do not want to walk him for an hour at a time. Maybe a 10-15 minute walk at his speed, not yours.

Also, I notice with male puppies sometimes at different stages of their puppy growth their bladders do not grow as fast as their bodies and they tend to have more accidents. Happened with my boy when he was a youngster; he did grow out of it but was also worried why all of a sudden he was having accidents in the house and had not had any accidents since he was 12 weeks old.?? What are you doing different? Be sure there is not too much salt in his dog food and try to notice how much water he is drinking? If it seems like a lot then maybe change his food.

If he is a real sensitive boy "great" I get a lot out of a sensitive male. BUT I do find that they sometimes learn slower than females and sometimes take longer to bond. Really depends on the dog though, I say give it more time and a lot more patience will be required, after all you are just beginning your life with him to serve you. Don't expect too much too soon but at the same time you need to continue with gentle training in obedience and that will also help build his confidence. Go his speed for a while and definitely try to take him out for socializing, let him sit on your lap on leash and take in the world; for now YOU are his protector. He will figure it out. Before taking him out for socializing, be sure he is healthy and feels well.

Good luck Nan

PS: find a trainer for the two of you, for now train at home with trainer. That would be my program if I were in your shoes... Nan

Nan,

My biggest concern is that he goes to her more then myself, when he is under her feet and things she is giving him praise etc, does she need to do something to steer him away from her so much. What can we do in order to draw the attention away from her more, I feed him, give him treats and praise, walks, take him outside to potty etc, but I feel at times her enabling him being around her so much doesn't help either, just my opinion could be me just being down about this. I appreciate everyone's help and will continue to update more and more as it goes on.


Thank you,
Brian

I would explain to your wife that this is more of a "me" dog, not a family dog. She needs to ignore him for a while.