Kaiser - German Shepherd, Dog (6 Years)

Kaiser was returned to the kennels in March 2012 and has been put through a vigorous training programme to ensure that his next forever family will be his last one!

Kaiser is a beautiful German Shepherd who loves people and playing two ball fetch. He is still active for his age and likes nothing better than to strut his stuff around the kennel's grounds! He knows his basic commands and will walk to heel when instructed to do so, but this will need to be kept up in his new home.

Kaiser's forever family will need to stick to the training regime that has been designed for him (see below) to ensure that he doesn't slip back into bad habits. His owners will need to have experience of German Shepherds or other strong willed dogs, and continue to be firm, consistent and patient with him. Kaiser needs to be handled carefully around other dogs, but he is being socialised with a dog trainer's Labrador and is behaving very well. However, he would prefer to be the only dog in the house as his life has been rather unsettled so far. Kaiser might be able to live with sensible children who are used to large dogs, but he will need someone around for most of the day to help him settle.

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Kaiser loves to play 2-ball. Its wonderful to see a big dog like this running free instead of on the end of a lead. He returns the ball, drops it easily and will lie down if asked before you throw the second ball. After a good run playing ball, he now hangs around and sits on command to have his lead put back on. (Last week he was difficult to catch.)
He saw one of the cats and pulled towards it out of curiosity, but when pulled away didn't seem too worried. He was certainly not hell bent on catching it. He was a bit worried when two other dogs were being walked around the field he was in. He kept looking from one to the other and didn't like not being able to see both at once.
When away from other dogs he relaxed and enjoyed a lot of fuss and a bit of grooming. The only time he pulled on the lead was going towards the play area, but don't they all! He's quite keen to obey commands for a treat or two.

Beautiful dog, needs a home asap...shouldnt be in kennels...hopefully a home is lined up for this boy....but he is still available at the moment.....friendly, good on the lead, sweet natured and very lovable....

What a boy this dog is! I have had two German Shepherds in the past and Kaiser is right up there with both of them. I have walked him on several occassions and he is not a bit of trouble. He loves the playpen, choses his toy first before playing fetch brilliantly. I have never had to chase him to get the ball back as he always brings it straight back to you, he also loves playing tugger.He is very obediant and knows all the commands, sit, stay, down etc. In fact, i had him out all day on the open day as i was his fete date, and he was great around other dogs, adults and children who came to make a fuss with him. He actually got loose when his choker broke, but came straight back to me when i called him with no hesitation. He is going to make someone a fantastic, loyal companion and needs someone who can devout lots of time to him and take him on long walks.



Dave



Fosterer and walker

Sadly, Kaiser is available for rehoming through no fault of his own.

Dave is distraught. Poor Poor Kaiser he will hate it back in kennells.

Kaiser will probably be looking for his old pal Dave for some reassurance and cuddles!

Dave will be there tomorrow for Kaisers eyes only........

Kaiser recognised me and was as excited to see me as I was him. He did his best impression of a train and pulled me towards the playpen but it was occupied so we did a lap of the field first. Once we were in the playpen he reverted to the good boy he always was, loves playing ball, brings it back, allows me to take it from him very gently. He remembered all his commands sit, stay, down, come. Kaiser did show an interest in other dogs but not in an aggressive nature. I spent a couple of hours with him and his walking returned to normal as he had expended his energy. When my time was up he didn't want me to go and jumped up clinging to me with his paws, please don't put me back in there. Kaiser is not suited to kennell life and needs a quick release. I will be back tomorrow and I'll try to find the brushes and give you a good grooming, until then you will be safe in there with staff and volunteers who can give you two walks a day, lots of love and attention and although not the environment you want, its the one you need to get you the best home ever.

Poor poor Kaiser you did not deserve to be back in kennels, I expect it's through no fault of your own as you are such a lovely boy...Dave how great that you were there to give him some love & attention & a little reassurance that life will be good again...I still think he is trying to tell you & Jeanette where he would love to live lol...Lets hope that some suitable owners are soon found for this stunning boy

Today we had an 1/2 hr training session with Sam where Kaiser was addressed with his train impressions he responded magnificently and was walking to heel within minutes. Training with the ball went well too with Sam encouraging me to retreive the ball from Kaiser when he wanted to keep hold!!!! Training will continue with a walk in the forest togther with Sam and one of her dogs one day soon. Until then we will re-inforce the training so far and hope other walkers of this most gentle and misinterupreted dog will carry on with the strict routine of being pack leader and not let him dictate the route he wants to take.

I am happy to report that training is going well. Kaiser is walking much better and my arms and back don't ache at all today!! As a reward we spent 15 minutes in the play pen where Kaiser played with the ball and the retriving went well too. When the light began to fail and it was time for him to go back into his kennell he was relunctant as usual and so was I.

Hi Dave,

Just wondering if the instructions for how to walk Keiser together with how to retrieve the ball from him are written down anywhere? I noticed that Angela wrote some great instructions on Ruby's thread on how to deal with her, and I think it would be a great idea to do that with Keiser on his thread here. Most walkers look at the updates (well, the important ones do, ). I think it's also good to have the record here, so that when adopters take the dogs home they have an idea of what works well and what doesn't.

Kaiser must be the best 2-ball player in the world! He rushes back with one ball and as long as you show you have the other ball, he drops the ball just right so it rolls to your feet. Then he runs round the back of you just ready to run after the second ball, leaving you plenty of time to pick up ball number 1. Very energetic for the dog but not the walker.

After a really good work out in the pen I am actually finding him quite easy to walk. He is very, very strong when he does start pulling, but after a run he seems content to walk at a reasonable pace and take in the hedgerow smells as he goes.

Today when I sat on the top field bench he laid down at my feet while he took in the views over the forest.

Kaiser is such a nice big chunky dog I love to throw my arms round him for a cuddle. He seems to quietly enjoy it. He's a dog I feel perfectly safe with.

I did speak to Dave about putting some training notes together and he will do it.

Daves words

Last night went well with Kaiser much calmer coming out of the kennells, not so much pulling on the walk at all. The only time there are any blips is a change in direction, if he thinks you are heading back to the kennellls and that is when the training comes in. I make him sit or lie to calm him then continue, it works! After half an hour he had his reward of fifteen minutes in the playpen where he didn't once hold onto the ball, he offered it back no problem. We then did a 'warm down' a leisurely stroll around he stopped to pose for the camera before bed. Love this guy.

Notes for Kaiser

1) Make him sit before putting lead/choker on.

2) Make sure choker is on correctly. Loop of choker should lie flat under his chin so that when the choker is tugged it releases after.

3) Making sure he is sitting, slowly open gate, if he makes to get out before told, make him sit again. Only when he is calm, step out of gate with him behind you.

4) Repeat step three with other two gates.

5) Always walk him on the left.

6) If he starts to pull, give the choker a quick/sharp tug and command him to "heel" When he comes back to heel praise him with lots of "good boy" and treats if you want.

7) If when you change direction he jumps up, stop, tell him "down" When he lies down, again give him lots of praise. Do not move off again unless he is calm. Always remember to stay calm yourself because if you are calm then he will be as well. He does this because when you change direction he thinks he is going back to the kennel and also remember to walk where you want to go and not where he wants to drag you!

When walking him, if there are other dogs around act before he does.Tell him to leave, and then praise him.

9) When playing ball, if he doesn't let you take it from him when commanded to loose, gently press his tongue back which will force him to open his mouth. He doesn't at the moment come straight back to you, but goes around your back first. I will ask for a long training lead so I can reel him in to come back in a straight line and sit in front of me and then loose the ball.

These are the basics steps which Sam has given me to concentrate on. I am going to meet with Sam and her dog at the forest at some point soon to continue his socialiastion with other dogs.

　

What a good idea, putting these tips on. I know Angela did it for Ruby, so if all regular walkers follow suit, it will be a great help.

Oh dear.

Must I really stop Kaiser running round behind me?

I didn't teach him, he did it on his own, presumably taught to him in a previous life.

But I thought it was so sweet I've encouraged him. It makes 2-ball so swift and exciting and he really, really seems to enjoy the pace. And I love to watch him going like the clappers.

He's the only dog that does it, it was his trademark.

Gutted if I'm going to have to stop this little behavioural gem.

Reply to Annie

The training is not meant to stop having fun with him he does love two ball, I do it myself as a treat after his training.

Saturday

His walking to heel is really coming on good now,the only time he really pulled me was when we were heading in the direction of the play pen, buts thats understandable!

In the play pen he gave me the ball back every time and we also had a game of tugger which of course he won!

Sunday

Jeanette and i took Kaiser in the forest, a much needed change of scenery for him. He was really excited ! He enjoyed all the different smells. During the walk a Wheaton Terrier came up to him off the lead. Kaiser was very interested in him but did not show any aggression. His owner then came up to us with another one, put both on the lead and we walked with them back to the visitor centre.After the intial greetings, Kaiser didn't bother with them and was quite happy walking alonside them.........what a result!

Spent an hour with magnificent Kaiser yesterday. He is walking to heel on command now, think he's cracked it ! We did some training before going into the playpen for his reward............the balls! I have given Sam (dog trainer) an update on his progress and she seems pleased. We are hopefully going to do some more socialising in the forest with two of her dogs sooner rather than later.

I think the sun has got to Kaiser today ! He was hot and bothered and didn't really want to do any training. We did two laps of both fields before heading to the play pen. After a half a dozen retrieves he stood by the door of the pen waiting to go. We then went and sat down so he could cool off. On a positive note he really wasn't too bothered about other dogs around him today which is brilliant.I took him by the paddling pool to see if he wanted to go in it but was only intrested in drinking it! We need to get some people to have a look at this brilliant boy because he so deserves a good home, with someone who has the time to walk him three times a day, who has a big enclosed garden and ideally where he is going to be the only dog. In return he will reward with a huge amount of love and loyalty.

Today i took Kaiser to the forest to meet Sam (trainer) and one of her dogs. He was really excitied when he realised he was not being taken out for the usual walks! He leapt in the back of the car and had his head out of the window all the way to the forest. He waited patiently while i went and got a car park ticket and sat nice while i put his lead on. We met Sam and Duke (black lab) and after an initial "who is this!" walked side by side for a good hour. Apart from a few times when he woofed at Duke he was a perfect gentleman.He did show an interest in other dogs but was no way aggressive.He even didn't bother with the mountain bikes he saw.(he barked at them last week) I so wanted to let him off the lead so he could have a good run around but i don't think he is quite ready for this yet. He is making big progress though and Sam is really pleased with him.

Kaiser was really quite funny on both Good Friday and Eater Sunday! On Friday i got him out of the kennel and walked around the top field and then headed in the direction of the playpen.Little Jake had beaten him to it though so we went to walk around the bottom field. Jake was really brave and started barking at Kaiser. Kaiser didn't react but merely stood there and cocked his head as if to say "Is he mad wanting to take me on ! " Eventually Kaiser got his way with two visits to the playpen and was as usual on his best form with the balls.

On Sunday, he was again beaten to the playpen so we sat on the bench to wait for his turn. However he was not at his patient best and began to be very vocal as if to say " Hey, come on, get out of there its my turn now!" He did get his wish and again he had two visits in between his training which he continues to excel at. He wore both of us out, but this is good for him to expel his enormous amounts of energy that he's got. Whoever gives Kaiser his forever home will be guaranteed to get fit if they are not already!