Since Rowan and I spend a lot more time with Ruger than Killian and Matthew do (because of work and school) I feel like we have a bit of a different relationship with him. To Ruger, I am definitely his #1 caretaker - he looks for me when I am gone, and whines when I leave him in another room. Rowan is his play buddy, and I think he thinks of her as another puppy sometimes. Which is great in the sense that they can have a fun time running around and playing together, but not so wonderful at times because Ruger can be rougher and much more mouthy with her than he is anyone else.
Our training for him is based on him being the low man on the totem pole - we go out the door before he does, we eat before he does, he only has access to his toys when we are playing with him...things like that. It may seem mean, but German Shepherds are a breed that need consistent firm training, and he has to know his place in our pack and what we expect of him if we want him to be a well trained and well behaved dog when he grows up.
To give her a higher status than him and to build their relationship, I have started having Rowan help me with Rugers training and she is having a great time teaching him new things! We had a rare break in the rain the other day, so we headed outside for some learning - but first we had a little play time!
They loooove chasing after each other, and especially running in circles around the tree:
Ruger paused for a couple beauty shots in the sun - I love this one because it looks like he is smiling!
What a handsome boy he is! ♥
Then it was time for some training. Rowan and I stand at opposite ends of the yard with treats, and call him to us. He is struggling with "Come" because there are always more interesting things to explore, so we work on that one a lot:
But he has totally mastered "sit":
And "lay down":
A girl and her dog - I think these two are going to grow up to be the best of friends:
Rowan took a spin around the yard with the camera when we were done with training, and took a few pictures of me and Ruger. I loved his face in this one - he was barking at a squirrel/bird/leaf/ant/something - and he looks so silly with his floppy ears and squinty eyes. He is such a character!
Our training for him is based on him being the low man on the totem pole - we go out the door before he does, we eat before he does, he only has access to his toys when we are playing with him...things like that. It may seem mean, but German Shepherds are a breed that need consistent firm training, and he has to know his place in our pack and what we expect of him if we want him to be a well trained and well behaved dog when he grows up.
To give her a higher status than him and to build their relationship, I have started having Rowan help me with Rugers training and she is having a great time teaching him new things! We had a rare break in the rain the other day, so we headed outside for some learning - but first we had a little play time!
They loooove chasing after each other, and especially running in circles around the tree:
Ruger paused for a couple beauty shots in the sun - I love this one because it looks like he is smiling!
What a handsome boy he is! ♥
Then it was time for some training. Rowan and I stand at opposite ends of the yard with treats, and call him to us. He is struggling with "Come" because there are always more interesting things to explore, so we work on that one a lot:
But he has totally mastered "sit":
And "lay down":
A girl and her dog - I think these two are going to grow up to be the best of friends:
Rowan took a spin around the yard with the camera when we were done with training, and took a few pictures of me and Ruger. I loved his face in this one - he was barking at a squirrel/bird/leaf/ant/something - and he looks so silly with his floppy ears and squinty eyes. He is such a character!
