Dutch Shepherd Forum

My pup is 5 months old & chases his tail. Done this from day one. Doesn't seem to effect him in his training & it can be redirected toward other activities easy enough. He'll do it for a few minutes/ seconds before he crashes after a long exercise or activity. He'll do to get attention or to occupy his time under the kitchen table while we eat. He doesn't beg or jump up by the way. I guess for the most part he does it when he's tired or bored. Never really thought of it as a problem only a trait that I've seen other sheps do.
Other than the dog maybe getting dizzy, what negative effects are created from this? Is it something that he should be broken of? Again this is one smart pup that is really showing promise. In another month or two, the two of us will start obedience training.

It can become a neurotic obsession...

Dances With Empties wrote: Again this is one smart pup that is really showing promise. In another month or two, the two of us will start obedience training.

Why wait to start obedience? I prefer to get puppies started on basic obedience 10 days after the new owners get them. Pups are so easy to train. If you don't want to do a group format, you should at least have the basics done at home. Denise Fenzi has a great online class for working dog foundations.

I would say in any hour he's doing it for 20-30 minutes.

LyonsFamily wrote:

Dances With Empties wrote: Again this is one smart pup that is really showing promise. In another month or two, the two of us will start obedience training.

Why wait to start obedience? I prefer to get puppies started on basic obedience 10 days after the new owners get them. Pups are so easy to train. If you don't want to do a group format, you should at least have the basics done at home. Denise Fenzi has a great online class for working dog foundations.

You misunderstood me; I am training the basics at home since day one. With success I might ad. But I will be seeking professional training with this dog, as he shows a ton of potential. A couple of trainers I have conversed with have stated that there is no real advantage to group puppy lessons with the past experience I've had with dogs. In their words, not mine: "Why would you take your pup to a place that may teach him bad manners through the poor handling of others." One trainer accessed my handling of the pup & told me to come see him when he is 6 to 8 months depending on his disposition.