Pack Of German Shepherd Dogs Running Free - Page 5

And now guys we calm down and get back on topic, any further outbursts will be deleted, thanks.

 

Eight GSDs together. Four of them are under 2 years of age, and this group includes a mom and two of her daughters (one of whom is just 16 months old). Two Jack Russells aren't in the picture. The area is partially fenced. Only one unneutered male right now. I have several bitches that have rivalries, so I have to separate those, but that still leaves me with selected groups that I know get along. I also have to make changes based on who is in heat, etc., of course. Also, no throwing balls--they are allowed (encouraged/required) to carry toys, but I don't throw anything if more than one dog (sometimes two, if the pair is right) is out.

Christine

I used to work several at once- load them up and take them to a park or playground or whatever. I'd take maybe 4 at once, sometimes 5-6 if I had some help. So long as I was doing something with them, they were fine. I mean, I could play ball with one or two and have the others in down/stay. Or, play a game where I throw a ball and only the dog whose name is called is allowed to retrieve it. I could take 2 males who hated each other and put them in the backseat together and go to work and they know to look out their respective windows and not argue. Looking back, that was pretty funny- like two naughty kids with an angry, scary mother that they knew better than to talk back to, LOL.  But it worked. No fights on our way to work and once there, they were just separated (by commands, not by physical barriers). I can say I never had a real fight with my old crew that spent a ton of time together, even if they didn't love each other. 

Fast forward a few years, and the whole dynamic changed. Now there's a baby/small child involved and I don't chance it with more than I can physically manage at once just in case. He changed things, big time. I no longer have as much control over the environment (meaning, he could do something to change the mood quickly, without much warning) as I used to, therefore, I don't feel as safe as I once did having 5 dogs out together. I still do have 5 I can let out together, but I don't let my son out with them. He could spark a fight that would not happen otherwise, just as a certain ball or bone could.  If he's outside and then I go outside, again, we've changed the dynamic and the pushier ones start getting possessive of both of us, the ones who like my son more get protective of him, and my feeling is it's simply too much of a risk. It only takes once. 

I also think dogs who are not actively trained by their handler, ie dogs who are pets and integrated into a pack of dogs from the start, can live together with only minor scuffles as they develop a kind of hierarchy of their own.  The more of bond they have with the person and less with each other, the more likely I think fights are to break out OVER the handler and that's where skilled reading and handling comes in. 

So, basically, sure, it can be done, but I think it is best done within a very controlled environment, fenced so no one can invade, nothing they will want to fight over, and with ONE person who is their main handler and has good control. 

! I have ONE gsd... When I bought a house in Florida it had, and I emphasize *HAD*, a green lawn on the side my ONE GSD played on...After one, yes, ONE month of Casey James playing in the grass, pooping and peeing, despite immediate clean up, i was giving a eulogy for my grass..... LOL! . It turned from a green lawn into a dead grass area of dirt :(  Got so bad I had to put down pavers because with the way it rains, in Florida, it never dried out... Dirt to a puppy mill is one hell of a leap, IMHO!!!!

Of course there are times when my dogs get seperated. It just isn t very often. They all have their pack order. I have crates and kennels. I just prefer not to use them. My yorkies hang with them, just the same.

   They are socialized from the git go...some come to work with me, but all enjoy the company of each other..

(Exception being Duke, very arrogant). My pups hang out with the big ones too, 'after' their initial out in the morning.

I built the ruckus room for them for days like these past weeks of rain, non stop.

they would be driving me crazy if this went on in my living room all day, and it would be unfair for them to have to sit in a crate or kennel and wait for the sun.

They have a great time together...and I love that they can have so much freedom, and still behave 'wonderfully'.

Vtsgd I love your pack .... beautiful dogs ..

I personally have taken the VERY long drive to kitkat's to get one of her pups I have two dogs from her lines .. excellent dogs ALL of them .. very well behavided and very very obedient . My two babies are the best dogs I have ever had the pleasure of sharing my home with . Kitkat is most definitely the pack leader at her place amd those dogs adore her . The first time i was there i drove up the driveway to find 4 stunning GSD seating by her front door checking me out . Once she came out to greet me and they noticed i was a friend they were very happy to see me as if they had known me for a very long time .... I will look forward to driving the 7 hours again to get yet another AMAZING puppy from her .

We love our winter runs! Cool thread..

 

Bet there's a good story to the name "Shouldn't"  ???

It was either that or Lucy that girl was into everything, you shouldnt play with that, you shouldnt be in there, you shouldnt do that.... before long the stinker just answered to shouldnt. I like to let them offer up there names. :)

JD

That was just beautiful, Kitkat !  All of your dogs look gorgeous and well behaved. Thanks for posting.  

I have 3 dogs (2 GSDs - male and female and a male Field Labrador - all intact),  and to be quite honest, I don't have more than 2 of them together at the same time, due to the possibility of a chance fight breaking out, even though they are all well behaved  with me around.