german shepards

[hensleyll]

so my husband has a three year old shepard,he follows me everywhere ,didnt used to mind but now im raising my 5 month old granndaughter every time i turn around im tripping over him with baby in my arms he doesnt listen when i tell him go lay down my husband says hit him i dont want to hit him any other suggestions

[tzs]

Obviously your husband's German Shepherd needs more companionship. If he's following you around everywhere than he needs love. And because dogs should be part of the family for humans, for dogs, that means you are part of his pack, so of course this is gonna happen! I suggest you look where you are walking a little bit better when you have the baby and involve him more.  If the dog is good with kids and you keep him clean, then why not introduce him to the little ones....dogs get jealous too, you know!

[hensleyll]

i do watch where i walk,but he is everywhere,i do include him and try to get baby to pay attention but she is only 5 months and doesnt know what to think of him because he is so big and i understand he jealous but he is not a lap dog i cant very well hold him

[stbernard1973]

Hit him?  That's just barbaric, and animal abuse.  I'd beat the crap out of the husband out before I'd hit the dog.  That's definitely the wrong action to take.  There's not a dog expert in the world worth their salt that would advocate beating an animal.  I have a 5 year old GSD and they are extremely loving and affectionate dogs and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.  My GSD is a rescue with an unknown history but he's just like the 3rd child in the family.  Biggest issue with him is he likes to hog the bed.  :-)  My Shepherd shadows me constantly.  I wouldn't have it any other way nor would my husband because he likes that there is someone here to keep the family safe when he's not home.

All dogs see their people as their pack leaders.  The pack leaders are cherished and loved by those lower in the pecking order and you are very important to him.  Before resorting to abuse, did your husband consider that the dog might be wanting to protect both you and the child?  Following you and the baby around so closely may be his way of making sure you and the baby don't get into any danger and that if you do, he will be there to help you.  If the dog was properly raised and socialized as a pup, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.  Shepherds can be willful dogs but a firm "NO!" establishes that he has done something you do not like.  The pack leader needs to chastise the follower.  Not with a beating but with a firm word.  Let the sound of your voice let him know you mean business.  A strong and sharp "NO!" from you, his human back leader, equals the growl or serious bark he would receive from his canine pack leader in the wild.  He will still respect you for it later. 

Introduce the dog to the baby.  The only thing you need to keep a close eye on is that if the baby is playing with the dog, do NOT let the child pull the dogs tail or ears or hurt the dogs nose.  Teach the baby to respect the dog as much as the dog respects the baby.  Both of my children were raised around VERY large dogs (100-250+ lbs) from the moment they were born and I've never had a single problem with the kids and dogs.  Sure, one of the kids might have gotten knocked on their bottom while playing with the dog but it was nothing done intentionally.  No harm, no foul.

Please, please, please don't hit that dog.  Beating him isn't the way to stop a behavior you don't like.  GSD's are highly intelligent and he can learn extremely fast what you do and do not want him to do without laying a hand on him.

[bowrunner]

I agree with the other posts - do NOT beat the dog.  You can easily teach him to "sit, down and stay."  Start with "sit" as it's generally easy to teach.

[linderlizzie]

Poor dog needs to be better trained and he needs your time too. If he's always following you, remember that before you turn around. Firmly tell him to sit where he is until he obeys you. This may take some patience till he gets it. 

When he does what you asked, praise him and pet him, and then go on your merry way. He'll learn this is the way to get your attention, and it's much better than hitting him for loving you and wanting to be near you. Remember that he could save your life someday.

[Kassandra91]

i agree hitting the dog is not an option. ive had dogs pits, german shepard, husky ect. hitting them can result in three ways.
1. dog will retaliate towards you.
2. dog will hate the baby and get jelous because it will feel neglected.
3. dog will obey but out of fear.

[Kassandra91]

All dogs that are newly intoduced, a baby for instance/ new member to the house will make them feel jelouse like a first born child to a sibling. just keep practicing sit ect. and it has to be both of you to keep it consistant. then reward the dog when it listens.

[hensleyll]

no he is not a bit jealous wants to love the baby,i do not hit him i allow him to stay in room with me,i do love him some times he just gets overwhelming.yes like another child

[gsdoss]

We had 3 German Shepards when the kids were little and they had a ball with them. They watched over them and kept them out the way of harm.

[potluck6]

He maybe protecting the baby or wants to be near the baby sweet really. Don't hit him,sounds like my cat who wants constant attention from me no babies around yet will see when my son has a baby,whenever that happens who know or my daughter inlaw .

[hensleyll]

yes i thinks so,he lays at my feet

[hensleyll]

we get along better we have been setting time aside just for dog

[jmc1070]

I agree with all of the above. They are definitely teachable, it just takes time, care and repetition.

[tzs]

You just got to care enough and put in the time to train correctly. It's not a quick fix by any means.