when i got my GSD benji he was an unsolcilised 13 week old that had never been on a lead and out side, or seen anythign of the big wide world. i have been getting him used to everything i can think of. and im now pleased to say that he is turing in to a very well ajusted pup. he is a lot better and seeks out new things now instead of hiding from them.

he was slow to want to play with other dogs and play bal or fetch with me. and he seemed to be scared of water somethign i have been working on recently.

however last week we had a break through. while walking past the shallow swimmign river where all the dogs tend to play i dropped one of benji's balls by mistake and it rolled into the river. there were no other dogs around, so i know benji did not do what i am about to tell you, through protecting one of his belongings. but he jumped straight in to the river and retreived the ball. he brough tit back to me and was all bright eyed and bushy tailed so i threw the ball in to the river and he retreived it actually putting his head under the water to retreive it.

since then i have been giving him little challenged liek throwing the ball in to the woods and him having to sniff it out as well as taking him on hills and hiding the ball for him and asking him to find it.

it would appear that he prefers to work or should i say use his brain rather than play.

throw a ball for him across an open field and ask him to fetch and after about 3 goes he gets bored. but throw the ball in a wood or near water where it is more of a challange and he would go on all day.

obviously im not complaining and im not over doing it with him we have a few intresating sessiosn a week.

out of all the puppys i meet on walks he is the only one liek this. the others are more food orientated or just want to be fussed or played with. but benji enjoys a challenge instead. is it usual for puppies to be liek this is it maybe his breed?

firstly, well done you - what a lucky dog benji is.  secondly gsd's are very intelligent dogs anyway and will learn very quickly - he may have special talent my gsd wont play with toys or a ball from when she was very young she never wanted to play with things - at puppy class everyone else would play but not her we tried every trick in the book, but to no avail.  i say keep up the good work, one thing though dont make him go up and down river banks and steep hills for too long and also not too many long walks as their bones are growing until they are two and it is not very good on their hips etc.,but well done you have a very clever intelligent dog and if he enjoys it keep going.

Seems like a dog that strives on pleasing you and work! Maybe train him to be a therapy dog , that would be an awsome expierence for him. Maybe a therapy dog for your daughter?

now thats an idea.

i supose there are a wide range of good things he could do with the right direction and time. bless him.

Hi Benjismum

My 17 wk old GSD puppy also loves to use his brain, although he does play, but he likes me to hide things for him and he goes and seeks them out, always returning them to me (For a reward) I hide his ball in all different places in the garden or house and he is so thrilled when he finds it.  I take him training a couple of times a week and he absolutely loves it, he is already learning send aways etc., I am hoping eventually to do working trials with him.......IF he keeps up the good work..or rather if I do.