Turning the tables on my German Shepherd

[BlueKota]

He will often come and just stand right outside the open door when I want him to come back in the house. He has a large fenced in yard to play in. He wouldn't budge until I threw a treat on the garage floor, but the vet wants him to loose a few pounds.

So I started saying as a joke, "Okay, want to stay outside all night in the cold, I will go get kitty and she can sleep in the house instead. " He ran right in. Works every time now. I can't believe he understands the words, but he must somehow get the gist.

The cat by the way is a semi-feral female who used to live in our old barn. We had to tear it down, but built a shed and filled it with straw, so kitty can be safe from the elements. I'd bring her in too but she and Dakota don't like each other, and I am the only human she tolerates, and it took years before she trusted me enough to let me pet her. Still can't pick her up.

[LearnedHand]

1. My German Shepherd does exactly the same thing

Just stares at me when I say "come dogs." (My other pup usually comes right in.) I thought my guy was just extra stubborn but maybe it's a breed thing LOL.

[BlueKota]

4. I think it probably is breed related! 🤣

[Karadeniz]

2. Shes turning into Lassie !!!!!

[BlueKota]

6. 😄

Timmy's in the well. 🤣

[Diamond_Dog]

3. I am laughing because my dog also understands things like that!

Maybe your dog understands the tone of your voice or the word “kitty” ? And he thinks somehow Kitty is going to get preferential treatment if he doesn’t haul ass into the house?

Supposedly adult dogs are able to understand the equivalent of a three-year-old human child.

Things my dog understands even though I never ever tried to teach her these things…. “Pizza”, “Go get your ball”, “All Gone,” “Go bug Daddy,” and of course “outside” and “treat”. I am sure I can think of more, eventually.

When she sees me leave the house around dinner time she knows I am coming back with a pizza, and when she sees me set the table at noon on Sunday she knows it’s a day that my son is coming over and will watch out the window for him.

They sure enrich our lives …….

[BlueKota]

7. I love "Go Bug Daddy."

When Dakota sees me pick up my purse he runs and gets in his crate. That is sweet she watches for your son. My cousin calls me on most Saturdays and asks if he can stop in for a visit. The minute I say hi Rick, Dakota starts barking and wagging his tail like crazy. He adores Rick.

You're right dogs definitely enrich our lives.

[maccafan]

5. Love my German shepherd

But her intelligence sometimes makes my life with her challenging. You gotta love them though.

[BlueKota]

8. Dakota is my sixth Sheperd over my lifetime.

You're right outsmarting them is definitely a challenge. A certified master dog trainer told me Marnie, who sadly we had to euthanize in 2019, due to cancer, was the most obstinate puppy she had ever had to work with. She said, "She's definitely a smart one. I know she understands what I am asking of her, this is just her letting me know she doesn't want to take orders from me. Well guess what Marnie, you're going to." Marnie finally did.

[red dog 1]

9. German Shepherds are smart dogs

[BlueKota]

11. Yes they are.

[debm55]

10. What a great post. thank you BlueKota.

[BlueKota]

12. You're welcome and Thank you!