Dutch Shepherd Forum

I just finished the 4 hour drive back home to Maryland with my new (to me) DS/MAL/GSD mix.

He is currently 13 months old.

He has been charging around the house exploring in between inserting himself between me and anything I happen to be doing because of course everything is for him. LOL

He drank when we got here, but it was a good half hour before he ate the food I set out for him.

The prior owner said he had " a different kind of whine" when he needed to go out. I am listening very carefully for a whine that is not the play with me whine that I already know.

I am blown away by how closely he seems to be attached to me in no time flat.

I stopped at a rest stop for him and discovered that he pulls like a freight train.

Just doing some research now about how I will train him past that.

I want to start with engagement training tomorrow.

-Adam

Here are a few pics.

It's nice to meet Phoenix
He's a beautiful boy!

My boy seems to be long, narrow and tall... I wonder if that is the GSD influence in his heritage?

Looking at the pictures on this site, pure bred DS seem to be a bit more compact in form.

I love how he is so loving at home, but so intense out in public, with ears high and eyeing everything around him.

I am going to attempt to use the engage/disengage training game to temper his intensity in public.

Thank you for the kind words

P.S. Phoenix is a master yoga practitioner (see photo)

Awesome looking pup!

I just got a new pup (pics and intro coming soon) and a quick look on the engage/disengage training game you mentioned sounds interesting. Have you used that before? I found a site selling something (I am sure there are many sources now that I know a name) and the description sounds like something I'd like to get my pup focused on.

I am new to everything dog.

I am actually reading an interesting book called "control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt

The engage/disengage game seems like a dumbed down version of her Look At That (LAT) game. I really like how her training games are about starting a conversation with the dog rather than just issuing commands.

I have ordered her book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U ... UTF8&psc=1

I am hoping to give Phoenix the gift of being able to chill as he is very high strung much of the time.