Psssst! Hey guys!

[sundial]

I think it's too funny that the Austrailian Shepherd is the one owning the pool. Is that indicative of Jodi Bell's personality? I'm almost to breaking point with my high energy gsd girl.

Aly, is the gsd girl yours or a foster? I had a high energy foster one time and opted to trade her for a mellow foster from the rescue I volunteer with. If she is a foster, is it possible you could do that too? Or is this the one you adopted not long ago? If she's really high energy, maybe you should consider a doggie day care 1-2 days a week so she can expend her energy playing with other dogs and toys. Or maybe agility. Are you using NLIF with her--Nothing In Life Is Free? It's a technique you use to reinforce your alpha status. For instance, before going outside, the dog needs to sit. Before eating, the dog needs to sit or lay down before given the food. Make every effort to reinsure your alpha status.

With that being said, sometimes with the best intentions the dogs are not a good fit and I have found that if one needs to consider working with the rescue to find a better fit, the dog is better for it. Our lifestyle dictates less active dogs. I've fostered dogs that were bouncing off the ceiling and for short term fostering, it was ok. However, in terms of adopting one into our family, it wasn't good thing for either of us. I nicknamed them crackheads, lol.

The aussie is definitely a problem solver and can figure out how to get out of something if she doesn't like it. She also is the least social and perfers to be alone--like her mom. My friend has aussies that are high energy dogs and very creative. It's never dull at her house.

[sundial]

Aly, a couple of years ago I rescued a high drive gsd girl from Alabama. As she was being picked up by the transporter, she was literally bouncing around like a kangaroo at the end of the leash. Jada rarely settled. She drove everyone nuts. Then she was evaluated by a Search and Rescue trainer and was selected to train as a cadaver dog. Guess what? She blew away everyone with her performance. She is now a working dog.

You may have a diamond in the rough.

[aly]

I think you just described Mona to a T. She was a foster and was very sick initially. We fell hard for her- she was so sweet and gentle. Then, as she got better and started showing her true self, we realized that she probably wouldn't be easily adopted due to her energy. And so, we decided we wanted to keep her...

Her main problem is that she has loads of energy and is about twice as smart as she is energetic. She was an ace in her first obedience class. The instructor was amazed by how quickly she learned. She won the contests in class and really enjoyed herself. She picked up herding instantly (we just can't do the long drive often enough). On Monday, we're starting agility. I also try to get her out on the bike as often as possible. She has too much confidence though, and sometimes forgets who is in charge. She is also easily distracted.

I think the move and the puppies have kind of thrown things of kilter. We just need to re-establish and get some classes started again. She does best when she's in classes. She's also just slightly over a year old, so I'm hoping she might mellow with age.

Just wondering, our shepherds play very rough with each other. They don't hurt each other, its definitely play. I know other shepherd owners who's dogs play the same way. I'm just wondering if you think this is something we should discourage, or is it just a fun shepherd thing?

[tc1]

Fantastic! Beautiful doggies!

[sundial]

Just wondering, our shepherds play very rough with each other. They don't hurt each other, its definitely play. I know other shepherd owners who's dogs play the same way. I'm just wondering if you think this is something we should discourage, or is it just a fun shepherd thing?

Boxing, jumping and chasing are one thing. Ears back with lips curled and tail held high is another thing. Can you do a short video with a digi camera and pm me?

Your dog sounds like she has the potential to be a working dog. Do you have any K9 trainers in your area that could evaluate her?