I have a German Shepherd pup who like most German Shepherds is very intelligent. I am in the process of training her and I have run into some problems. It seems she get's a little nervous while working and then get's confused and want's to hide or run in circles with her ears back. She is never punished for this behavior I normally stop the training when I realize I can't get her back, only to start again the next day. Her work sessions only last about 30 minutes on a good day and the bad day's are about 10 minutes or so. She has no problem with come here, or stay, sit, heel. She ignores other dogs and people. But lay down is the mother as soon as I tell her to lay down her head explodes and she starts acting like I am beating the heck out of her.
Any Ideas or tips would help so that we can go on with our training. Like I said this is my first GSD and I know they are quite unique.

I have the exact same problem with my 1 year old female shepherd. But I also can't get her to budge on a leash. Any tips there?

You didn't say how old she is. I am a strong believer in early obedience training. I start the day I pick up a 7 week old pup. The younger the pup, the shorter sessions need to be, only a few repetitions at a time at first. 10 minutes may be enough at 6 months, although basic obedience should be complete before then.

Down is a difficult one for the dog. It is a position of complete submission to you. Once you know the code, Shepherd ears tell all. The further down with the mouth closed, the greater the fear. With the mouth open and teeth bared, it shows a mixture of fear and aggression. One thing that may help is eye contact. Make eye contact, and give the command once if a quiet, but firm voice. Maintain eye contact. That puts you in the position of the higher status dog. Try a hand signal too. Hold your hand out palm down and slowly lower it. If she still doesn't comply, give a firm ''Bad dog!'', keeping eye contact. Whoever looks away first, loses. Pack structure is very important. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. You can't go wrong picking up a copy of the book The Art of Raising a Puppy.

If your dog is at least 4 - 5 months old, start with a good 6' leather leash and
A sturdy slip collar, the metal chain
Ones with the rings on each end. You want the shortest one that will go on
And off easily. If you walk with the dog on the left, pull the chain through
One loop forming a "P". Facing it, slip it over its head. The free end
Should come over the neck to the leash, and the other end should drop slack
When there is no pull on the leash. Before 4 months, use a conventional flat
Collar to protect the tender young neck.

All but the most recalcitrant young puppies can be controlled before they are 4 months old with the flat collar and patience. If you must have something more with a younger puppy, use a fabric restricted slip collar. These are sort of a cross between the conventional flat collar and the slip collar. Some of them are adjustable, Good for a growing puppy. They have a fabric loop at one end with a metal ring holding the other end in the loop, allowing it to slid back a forth. Find one, or adjust one to where it will go on over the puppies head, but will not tighten up past a snug fit around the neck. Put it on the same way as the metal slip collar. The service dog school my Pepper went to uses them on all their dogs, puppies and working dogs, except where they must use a head collar.

Most puppies will quickly catch onto walking on leash. A pull, or a few gentle snaps will get most of them moving. With some, it is best to face them, and coax them. Dogs, even within a breed, or litter, are not all alike. What works great with one, fails completely with the next. The younger you start, the better. I start with the walk from the kennel out to the car.

Here is a link to a picture of my Shepherd enjoying a visit from a Lab, http://www.photolocker.net/images/La...llaplaying.jpg

I got her when she was about 5 months old. She is now 1yr. I gave her away about 2 months ago. They gave her back a few days ago because she was heartbroken. They had no luck with the leash so I am trying again with no luck. I have no problem getting her to sit or lay down. As soon as she hears or sees the leash, she hides and won't come.

Try treats. Shepherds are not as food motivated as Labs, but most will respond to treats. Bribe her into walking on leash, she should find she enjoys it and not need the treats. Treats are one tool, and work great, but too often are overused.

She needs some stablity now. Shepherds become bonded to one person, and do not change people very well. Maybe she associates the leash with being packed off to a new home.

The treats don't work, she doesn't care if she gets a treat or not. I had the leash problem before we sent her to another home. I keep trying though.

Best advise is to keep trying and do it daily. We have had several shepherds over the years. Once police trained. All of them have their weird quirks about them and not all of them the same. Our current shepherd used to hate the leash and we found out that she had been beaten with one. Now, after 6 months of working with her daily, she knows that the leash is alone time with me and that we go for a walk. I varied the times of the walks (we have a large ranch she can run on so the walks are more for excersing me than her) so that we were flexible. Just KEEP TRYING. They are magnificent animals and loyal to the end.

Thanks for the advice. I will keep trying.

Hi, I have to put in my 2 cents. I have a hard time understanding how people can give away their pets? If you truly do not want her, put an ad in the paper and let her have the loving home she deserves from someone who will love her. Gsd's are very loyal dogs who need a person to bond to. :confused: :confused: :confused: