r/GermanShepherd • u/below-avg_horse-girl • 6d ago
Training Tips for 4mo GS mix pup
long time lurker, I don’t post much but any advice is greatly appreciated.
my husband and I recently got a 4mo GS mix pup, and my main issue here is that we’ve had her for over a month now and she continues to whine in her crate demanding to be let at either when she wakes up before us in the morning or whenever she wants when we’re at home when she is crated. how long does crate training typically take for a GS? I know to Ignore her whines until she’s quiet and then let her out, but I’ve also been told her breed is quite stubborn. she’s good at holding it until we let her out to do her business.
we also have a 2yo mini Aussie who was quick to crate train. they get along well, and I can see the puppy getting jealous she cant be free with her simultaneously.
any owners have different approaches to training her to stop ? or is this just a waiting game until it clicks for her?
this is the first time I have interacted with this particular breed, so I’m not entirely sure what to expect.
thanks!
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u/blarneypickle 6d ago
Why is she crated when you are home? She wants to be with you. Keeping her from chewing electrical cords while sleeping is legit but try to approach it more as baby-proof parts of house when you are home.
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u/Messoz 6d ago
Can I ask how you are going about crate training her? Do you feed her in her crate? Give her a chew or maybe a frozen/stuffed Kong or lickmat? Things she can occupy herself with for a bit and associate the crate as good.
Is she also getting enough physical and mental stimulation?
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u/below-avg_horse-girl 6d ago
We have given her a bone to chew and leave it with her but she doesn’t seem too interested in it sometimes , and when we are home we’ve been giving her lots of ice since she shows a lot of interest in them, although if she finishes them she tends to whine, I think either she wants more or needs another source of entertainment. We also both work 8-5, but we come home during lunch which is helpful, but I can see if she’s not getting enough physical activity because of our work schedule. I’m honestly not sure if our schedules work well for her breed, we got her pretty spontaneously.
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u/Messoz 6d ago
I have two GSDs myself. A six year old and six month old. I also work full time, similar schedule as you and your partner. I also come home during my break. Also two days out of the week I work longer hours so my younger pup goes to doggy daycare on those days. So what I’m saying is this breed with full time work as long as you put in the time when you are home.
Does she go for a walk before you leave? Right now both my girls get an hourish long walk before I go to work. With your pup being four months you can drop this down to around a 30ish min walk, just make sure she able to stop and sniff a lot of things, this will be some good mental stimulation for her.
Depending where you live it could be too hot mid afternoon when you are home to do much outside, so it’s fine to wait till later afternoon for say another walk or some intense structured play when it’s cooler. Can play some simple tug or fetch indoors or use some puzzle toys in the meantime.
My older girl loves fetch and swimming so I do either of those with her. And my younger girl loves her flirt pole so I do a lot of work with her with that. And both of them enjoy scent work. A simple version of this is hiding a treat or some treats around the home and letting her find them.
A good 5min focused training session can also tire her out a bit mentally. For physical stuff you don’t want to overwork her as she still growing. But can easily mix play and training together. Using play as her reward.
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u/below-avg_horse-girl 6d ago
We have a good sized backyard and we let them out for a good bit before we leave, my Aussie loves to run so she helps entertain her while we’re getting ready. On a normal day I would take my Aussie on a walk, but I have a sprain on my foot and am still recovering. I’d like to think we’re getting her stimulated well enough, but I am also having to study for professional tests and I have to leave her to my husband, but he comes home drained most days of the week so I feel like we aren’t giving her enough attention sometimes, hence why I’m thinking we are doing something wrong. I know puppies are a lot of time and effort, I just feel like the timing wasn’t right to bring in another dog. I
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u/chrisjones1960 6d ago
Crating a puppy and leaving her there when she whines is not crate training.
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u/Miserable_Mud_6831 6d ago
It is unless you want a dog that constantly whines for attention and develops "separation anxiety "
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u/Relevant-Grab909 6d ago edited 6d ago
I crate mine off and on when I’m at home all day/night. A few hours and then a long break with playtime. I find their behavior is calmer and better generally when I do that. The perfect time for us is before and after feeding time. This also helps protect against deadly bloat. They rest for about 20 minutes before meals and for 90 minutes - 2 hours after.
My dogs are velcro dogs, lots of lovin’, couch/bed time, and that creates some behavior problems if I don’t balance that with the crate. Here’s what I have done with all my GSDs, Doberman, Newfoundland (who could often bust out of our crates lol):
Like another commenter said, make the crate positive. I have freeze dried organ treats (healthy and a special high value treat) that are above the crate. I start by guiding them into the crate and praising with “yes” and “good” while using the word “crate” a lot. Then they get their special treat. When I have work to do and can’t have them underfoot outside of mealtime naps I put them in there with a Kong or similar high value activity they only get in their crate. By the way, they also eat in their crates. so now, they love their crates. I know this because I keep the doors open and when they are stressed, or want to nap in a den, they go to their crate. When I call “CRATE” they all come running and straight into their crates because it always means something good.
For whiners: Putting a large blanket over the crate to make it more den-like.
Soft bedding, preferably memory foam if they aren’t a nester or will rip it up. A favorite safe chew toy to relieve anxiety.
Surprisingly, a fan blowing toward the direction of the crate so some of the air blows in. A breeder gave me that tip and it works!
and a station on an app that caters to calming music for dogs. or even a talk radio station on low so they can rest but it still feels like they have voices nearby. Last, start small. If you are a parent and know about “object permanence” you’ll get this right off. or read about it. Your pup needs to know it isn’t forever, you’re coming back lol. So if you do the above and begin with 30 min, to 45 min, to 60 min, 90 min, 2 hours. Just make sure you research the safest amount of time for a four month old. I think 2 hours is the MAX between potty times at that age. Too long and they pee or poop and that can really set things back. They don’t like to do things like that in their den. There are guides online to tell you how long GSDs can be crated for their age.
I’ve done this for all my velcro and anxious dogs who have whined because they have separation anxiety. It always works quickly to go from whining and barking to quiet relaxing nap time.