When my husband and I adopted Princeton, our German Shorthaired Pointer, 1 1/2 years ago, we did not know how much he would teach us. We did not know what it was truly like to have a dog with too much energy. We did not know the repercussions of adopting a fear-based dog. But all this a more has been taught to us by this amazing brown-ball of pure energy.
Recently when walking four dogs, a cop pulled over next to me. My first thought was, “uh-oh”. Either he’s going to ask to see all the dogs’ city tags (which has never been requested of me, but I’ve heard some dog walkers get ticketed if all their dogs don’t have tags), OR he’s just stopping for a friendly chat. Luckily it was the later. “How old’s your Shorthair?” He asked. “About 3” I say. “Please tell me he calmed down when he turned three” the cop says “because I’ve got a 6 month old that’s driving me crazy!” He asked what I’d learned from Princeton and after the conversation I felt like there was so much more to be said. Thus this post…
Reflections on living with a GSP in the city:
1- You MUST exercise your dog everyday or you will have an out-of-control pup. If your dog has a strong retrieving instinct, you can give him the job of fetching the tennis ball every morning in the park and burn the edge off that way (if you don’t know what a Chuck-It is, you really ought to!). However the best way to build a relationship with your dog, assert your leadership, and tire your pup out is to take a walk. Yes, your dog can run for hours without stopping, but making him walk gives him purpose. And making him walk NEXT to you, solidifies your leadership. You can read more about mastering the walk here. When the dogs are at my parents house they get exercised on the treadmill. Yes, the treadmill. It’s totally realistic and a HUGE help when you are sick or tired or it’s bad weather. Train your dog to ride the treadmill by reading this article.
2-GSP’s love routine. Peeing on the same tree, eating around the same time everyday, exercising around the same time everyday, etc, really gives them structure which they love. My guy knows that we walk in the morning, and I take them out for a quick pee around 5pm and 10pm. During the quick pee’s they are to empty their bladders on the tree outside our home and then come back inside. Princeton no longer needs a leash on for these afternoon/evening outings. He knows what to do and how to do it. It’s great.
3- Utilize their strengths and give your dog a job. If you hunt with your dog, you will know that you must have high training expectations since a fault could result in the death of your dog in the field. By all means, utilize your dog’s hunting instincts to build the relationship and give him a job. My Princeton couldn’t hunt if he tried. He points every once in a while, but he’s flighty and wanders; and we’re happy with him being a pet instead of a working dog. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t utilize his strengths: running! First time we took our guy to a 5 acre dog park, he ran without stopping for 5 hours! So, we taught him the art of bikejoring. German Shorthair’s are the second most popular breed used in the sport of joring next to huskies. We taught Princeton that when he has his x-back racing harness on, it’s time to pull. He pulls us on a bike or rollerblades, and I’ve even had him pull a log thru town. It really drains his energy and NOT mine (the ever present problem when owning a GSP). Sounds crazy, and I’m sure several of my neighbors think I am, but it has helped take the edge off his energy in our little condo.
Other things we’ve learned apply to all dogs: teach obedience early, good leash skills are a must, socialize early and often, expose to children early, and exercise, exercise, exercise!
March 29, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Wow this is awesome. By the way I am a caretaker of a GSP that looks like your friend. In fact we just got our second one today. My Ginger was stolen when she was 7.. I went through all getout with training her just for someone to take her in her prime. For us it was the DAY she turned 5 she switched from spaz to “wholly wow what a good dog”. Today we now have a rescue from the city. We live on that preverbal farm out in the country. We do have a golden retriever as well and we love him to bits, but I need a high energy friend to keep me moving. We will see how things go… He has NO recall and no manners so we have our work cut out for us. Wish us the best please and say a prayer for us as well 🙂 your friend Steve on the farm in Washington
March 29, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for your comment Steve. I hear that GSP’s are the number one breed of dog to be stolen. I attribute that to the fact that everyone wants a good hunting dog and assumes that just because they are a pointer they will know what they are doing in the field (little do they know!). Good to hear that yours calmed down at 5, maybe mine will too (my schanuzer totally calmed down on his 3rd birthday so when Princeton’s came and went I gave up home of him calming down, but you have re-inspired me!). Best of luck with your new one!
July 9, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Hello Amanda.
My husband and I live in D.C. and are considering getting a GSP puppy later this fall, but we are concerned about what people mean when they say these dogs need a lot of exercise. We would love to have a dog that we can take out for a couple mile run in the morning and a couple mile run/ walk in the evenings, but I’m not sure if that still isn’t enough exercise for GSPs. We live only a couple blocks from a big park, and once the dog is trained we’d love to be able to play fetch with it as well – and toss a ball in the backyard, etc. We’d also take the dog out for shorter walks in the afternoon and before bed. Do you think this is sufficient – or would we be doing the dog a disservice?
July 10, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Hi Alex! Thanks for your comment and questions. If you are truly that active of a couple (running every day/willing to walk in the afternoon/willing to take your dog to the park) then I think a GSP would be a GREAT fit! It is my experience that German Shorthair’s love routine, so if you run every morning, walk/park in the afternoon, he won’t be bouncing off the walls at all. It will make your life much easier if you search for a GSP that can fetch since that is a great way to fulfill their retrieving instincts as well as burn off some energy. If you go with a breeder, they can offer you a dog with good bloodlines and they will certainly have connections to good trainers who can ensure your dog is safe off-leash with good recall. However, there are many great GSP’s who fit that description who are currently in a shelter. Check out PetFinder.com to find a GSP in your area. Think long and hard about the decision and be 100% committed (both you and your husband). I think you definitely have the potential to provide a fantastic home to an active pupster. Good luck and feel free to ask any more questions about these loveable balls of fun!
September 9, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Hello Amanda , I live in DC and I would like to know if you have aGSP?
September 11, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I no longer have a GSP but I did for two years while living downtown Chicago so I understand living with a high-energy dog without a backyard. Did you have a certain question or problem? Thanks for your comment!
October 29, 2012 at 9:20 am
Hi, what are pointers like for bike-joring? is he he strong and fast? I have a pointer x alaskan husky and he is quite something. I’m thinking of getting a pointer to train with him, but not sure if a pointer would be compatible? I enter annual races with my dog too. Any suggestions?
October 29, 2012 at 10:09 am
German Shorthaired Pointers are the number two breed of dog used for bike-joring behind huskies. They have an amazing amount of energy and focus which makes them great for the sport. If you are able to give a GSP the exercise it deserves then it could be a great option for you! I don’t know about other pointers, but GSP’s are definitely an option. Search youtube for Pointer Bike-joring and you’ll get lots of great videos!
October 3, 2013 at 2:07 am
Dear Amanda – we live in the UK and have raised a couple of Rhodesian Ridgebacks which can be trying! When they died we bought a GSP! Oh my word – it is on the ceiling. My husband knows dogs quite well and managed to ‘tame’ the Ridgebacks but this one is a different ‘cup of tea’. We love him and the children and grandchildren love him – he has a routine but is a VERY active dog even after exercise. He is 5 now. We had him castrated in the hope to calm him down. He can also be very aggressive to other dogs so my husband has to walk him on the lead which is very frustrating for the dog. The other problem we have is that he runs off – I can’t tell you how many times this has happened. Any suggestions? He is on a very good natural diet as he suffers from highly irritable bowel syndrome – has cost us a fortune in Vets and maintenance!!. Meidre, UK.
October 3, 2013 at 11:50 am
Meidre–sounds like you’ve really got your hands full! I would encourage you to constantly re-evaluate your exercise regime. A tired GSP is a happy GSP–the problem, of course, is getting them tired! Some work with a trainer can help you with the dog aggression and the recall off-leash (I would look for a trainer who has a bit of experience with the breed and who has an approach that involves the human being the pack leader. I do not find that GSP’s do well with clicker/positive-reinforcement training. I think they need more leadership and commands than suggestions). Do you bike or scooter: http://www.dogpoweredscooter.com/Welcome.php? How about teaching him to swim? Teach him to ride the treadmill? Doggie playdates may be helpful once you get past the dog aggression (even if he can find one like-minded friend that he can run around with). Give him a job–teach him to retrieve or catch a frisbee or tie a tennis ball on a string to a tree and teach him to chase it. Purchase some “educational” dog toy games or puzzles to give him something to do: https://www.google.com/search?q=dog+puzzle+toys&oq=dog+puzzle&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l2.1618j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=dog+puzzle+toys&tbm=shop.
I would just really focus on getting him tired, once he’s exhausted immediately work on dog aggression stuff (after he’s burned off a lot of steam). Much easier to write this stuff down than to actually implement it, I know…but I feel for you! Good luck and check in again with your progress!
October 3, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Dear Amanda thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I am definitely going to look at the educational dog toys. At present he is lying like an angel – butter won’t melt in his mouth! You are right about the fact that they need firm commands. We do not cycle. I have had a hip replacement and wouldn’t risk it so walking is all he gets. I suppose considering that he is a very energetic GSP he does well. He is the best guard dog we have ever had. No stranger will come into the house and I really do feel safe with him when my husband is away. Our latest granddaughter was a challenge. He was exceedingly jealous and nipped her ear. They have worked it out between themselves however and things have settled down! She gives as good as she gets and is only 16 months old so a good match for him! Thanks again for your suggestions. Meidre