Dutch Shepherd Forum

I cannot believe how brave this little guy is at 11 weeks! He is coy with new things & experiences, but I would not call him skittish. If I'm around he doesn't run off for cover, only back away from the object or person until I assure him it's ok. I'd call this an intelligent way for him to approach new things. I had one pup in the day, that approach everything new with a bite and a growl, in that order! Both breathing & non breathing...
Introduction to the dogs in the area has been good. He always takes a submissive role until he gets familiar with the other dog, then it's game on! At just under 30 lbs. right now, he keeps his own with a neighbor's 85 lbs. Retriever. If the other adult dog is to frantic in their introduction George just stays clear, but doesn't run off or get freaked out. He can compare sizes & seems to know when it's not worth the effort. Amazingly calm little bugger!
Noises get his attention, but don't seem to bother him. I've had him at the garage with me; air ratchet hammer away, air hose hissing, no problem. Neighborhood kid with his 2 stroke dirt bike go blasting by us on the road, no problem. Fired up the old noisy Impala, no problem. On the tractor with me today, again, no problem.

I guess that's enough bragging. I'm impressed!

I hear ya! I think people are getting sick of how much I brag about ten week old Asha, but I've never been around a pup that is so smart, well-behaved, at ease around people, and as I like to say, perfect in every way!! I figured most of the readers of the forum can appreciate how exciting it is to meet a dog of such caliber and how quickly dog lovers can go head over heels about the breed.

Sounds like you have a DS with very stable temperament, good character, and high intelligence. From my experience these kinds of quailities show up at a very young age and we seem to know what we have early on. He is a looker also!

Sounds like you have a DS with very stable temperament, good character, and high intelligence. From my experience these kinds of quailities show up at a very young age and we seem to know what we have early on. He is a looker also!

Thank You,

His leash training sucks. He will listen, but it's like getting a barn sour horse to walk down the street & leave the property. Coming home is easy, training is also easier. As we are walking away I'm just trying to keep him focused on a correct walk. The word "heal" is never used on are way out. Coming back is a different story... It is a double edged sword as well. On the property, off leash, right now he stays put & doesn't venture off. I want that in grained in him. I think I'm just going to start more of leash training on our property & leave or limit the adventure walks for now. We are in the country, so distractions were never a problem.
I realize he's young & don't expect miracles, but I figure the sooner I correct this, the easier it will be.

Pic at 10 weeks:

Yeah I'm not sure the best strategy. I guess it depends what your goals are. Medy was good on leash at an early age. But my routine is I walk about 1/4 mile on leash from my house to a a creek. I then cut the dogs lose at the creek and we can hike up to 6 or 7 miles if we chose to do so. I am taking 3 to 5 dogs on these trips. I have never tried to get her to heal in this situation because it was a setup for failure. If I eliminated these trips early on I'm sure healing would have come along faster but I figure the trips are worth it for me. There was a lot of pulling by her and me snapping leash and a little cussing by me. Now at 17 months she is really concientious about leaning into the leash but it still happens the closer we get to the creek. She does ok with leash work but again I am sure it would be much better if I did not do so many excursions with the entire pack to the fun place.