Meg’s Diary: 22 Weeks (5 months)

I am beginning to despair of ever being able to walk Meg on the lead. The last couple of times I have tried, when a car has passed, she has fixed on it and then been completely deaf to any attempts to break her focus, ending in a full-body lurch towards the traffic, which hurts me and nearly gets us all killed. It is deeply disappointing. We have contacted a man who has trained police dogs and therefore must be familiar with working GSD. Am hoping he can help, otherwise I really don’t know what to do. I am in despair.

If I evaluate what we have achieved, the picture isn’t completely gloomy (it just feels like it is when you have nearly been dragged under a lorry). I will do a quick recap of what Meg has learnt since November:

Being calm—she will now sit and chew a toy next to me when I want to read. When I cook, she brings a toy and ‘dances’ with me, and then sits somewhere close, watching while I work.

Being alone—Meg is great with this, and is always willing to go into her crate. I try not to leave her for too long during the day, but in the evening she goes in about 6pm, and other than a couple of toilet trips, she is fine to be ignored until morning.

House-training—this has been excellent since the first day, and we have had very few accidents in the house.

Car travel—I have taken her out most days, and she hasn’t been sick for a while. She is very good about walking up the ramp into her crate, and settles down while we drive.

Biting—after a few weeks, Meg understood that biting us was wrong, and when she’s excited she will now collect a toy and chew that while playing with us. She never snaps her teeth at me now, and even when she has caught escapee ducks, she has been very gentle.

Animals—Meg still barks at the poultry, and the cats, and chases them if she can. But she has never appeared vicious towards them, and will happily stay in the same room as Milly, my cat. (When she jumps up to the work surface, Milly slaps her face!)

Walking on the lead—in the house and garden, if zero distractions, Meg understands that she should walk near me and not pull. She can do this for several minutes. The teeniest distraction, and she forgets I exist. She is stronger than me, and hurts me when she pulls, and potentially could pull me into traffic.

Looking at me—she is getting better at this. I have been feeding her in the park every day, and she will look at me while she is fed, though I can see she is feeling tense. She can cope with mobility scooters going past, and children, and shopping trolleys. Other dogs and traffic are a real challenge. She’s very friendly to passers-by, and wants to greet everyone, so I think she has a lovely nature.

Sitting/waiting—this is excellent. I can ask her to sit in the hall, and she will usually still be there a minute later (as long as there are no distractions).

Lying down—she can do this to command.

BUT, the not being able to walk her on the lead is a huge problem, especially as she needs more exercise. Last weekend we met friends for lunch. We drove for an hour, and Meg was fine in her crate in the boot (wasn’t sick). But when I exercised her on the village green I nearly had my arm pulled off, and there was no way we could have taken her into the pub because she would have barked at the other dogs. She was fine left in the car (we checked her regularly, and she just slept, wasn’t frightened) but I want a dog I can take places.

Soo, lots of progress. But mostly I feel like I am failing. I really hope this man can help, otherwise I don’t know where we go from here. Not sure I can cope with a dog I cannot walk.

Hope you find the help you need this week. Take care.
Love, Anne x