Hi everyone,

I am new here and hope that someone here can give me sage advice on how to handle my 1 yr. old female GSP.  I got her through a friend that couldn't keep her since she was moving (military).

Here's the problem, I took her in and she is lovely! super sweet, gets along w/cats, is a good watchdog.  BUT, I thought my life was stable at the time only to find that my husband was in a mid-life crisis that caused him to want another woman, life and leave me and my children after 22 years!

Sorry about all the personal info. but it gives the background on why Ella, my dog is sooo out of control!!!!

I love her dearly, but she is a THIEF!!! She robs things from countertops, rips anything paper into small pieces. opens the trash and takes out things.  Doesn't obey the electric fence, making all my neighbors upset...(my neighborhood doesn't allow phyiscal fences).

She knows to go outside when duty calls, but now and then decides to urinate or poop anywhere and everywhere.  Why I don't know...

I don't want to give her up but my house and life are falling apart.  Right now I am using what little money I have to pay for an atty. since my soon to be ex-husband also doesn't want to support us.  This is why I haven't run out for professional training,

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!  Maybe the first mistake I made was treating her like another child!!! who knows

Thanks so much!!!!

G

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation--that's really tough.  And an unruly dog certainly can't be helping matters.

I can only speak from my own experience--which is limited (we have a 1 yr old GSP, our first birddog)--but there is a direct correlation between the amount of exercise he gets and the amount of unruly behavior I see.  For the most part, I'm able to keep him pretty tired (and sleeping dogs can't tear your house apart!), but when the weather's really bad, I'm constantly pulling shoes out of his mouth.

How old are your kids?  Can they help you exercise your dog?  Does she walk well enough on a leash that you can actually walk her?  My dog was terrible on the leash, but our trainer worked him on a Delmar Smith Wonder Lead and the difference is amazing.  You can order them through Lion Country Supply.

Do you have any friends with fenced-in backyards (and better yet, with dogs)?  Maybe you could arrange a doggie play date or two each week to help wear her out.  I don't think I could get Otto settled on walks alone.  He definitely needs some all-out running time.

If you're unable to fix the electric fence right away, you could always run out to a local pet store and pick up a tie-out cable.  They're an inexpensive way to contain your dog and keep her safe.

As for in the house, you can help keep her occupied with some inexpensive dog toys.  Otto loves his peanut butter Kongs, and they keep him busy for quite awhile (I fill them 3/4 of the way with dog food, top them with peanut butter, and freeze them).  And my sister swears by her Buster Cube.  Her dogs are only fed with a Buster Cube--and instead of gulping down their food in 5 minutes, they're busy for 45 minutes or so...

Good luck with your girl.  I'm sure that if you can conquer her bad behavior, she'll be an enormous source of comfort.

Oh, and I didn't mean to suggest that your stress isn't affecting your dog, if that's the way my post came across.  Trey and Bruce are definitely right--your dog can sense when things are out of balance!  They know what they're talking about and offered you some great advice!

pc2gmr:  I hear ya loud and clear sistah!  I got rid of my husband 4 yrs ago, same deal, but for the last time.  I fought to keep the house, the dogs and in the process started up a rescue!  Do this for me, find time for this puppy and yourself right now.  A puppy that age is like a sponge, sucking up all information.  If she is not allowed to run, get that energy out, she will destroy your house and what's left of your life.  Find time for you and her to go hiking, walking, anything.  The year I gave my husband divorce papers, I went rocking!  I bawled my eyes out, I screamed to the skies, and in both hands were field stone, I carried home to my new (without him) yard, created a nice rock bed, that I have flowers in now.  Those rocks and my dogs were the things that got me thru.  The puppy needs a routine, and someone to say NO, OFF when on the counters, or tearing paper apart!  Divert her attention to something she won't destroy.  Make time for her.  You should only have about another year of puppy left, if you play your cards right.  If you can't, see if a rescue can help you place her, until you are ready to do it again some day.  If you are in WI; I extend my hand to you for help.  I know what you are going thru, minus the kid portion.  You have to look towards the future, not dwell on the past, for there is nothing you can change about that. You CAN change everything about your future and the future of the naughty GSP puppy.  Go, go, go!