Sounds like you are doing all the sensible things - hope it all works out for Tessy.

Glad Brutus is doing better.

[quote user="Kim_MacMillan"] Please don't assume that your dog will grow out of it. Prey drive doesn't generally "go away" with maturation, it tends to get more intense and escalate as dogs physically and socially mature, aka they become more like a "dog" and hunter than a "puppy" and baby. If you are hoping a dog will grow out of predatory desires, I worry you will end up with injured or dead birds in the future. [/quote] This is true. Predatory drive

Your offer of training is nice, but such a codependent thing for the dog's family to accept(i.e. you are enabling them to be irresponsible), and my bet is that they couldn't follow through after your efforts, if they won't put in the effort now.

Sorry for your loss, Kenya. Good long lifespan for a GSD, and a better way to go than some I could think of. May her daughter be as fortunate to live a long life, and have an easy end. That's what I would wish for my own dogs, too, and everyone else's on this board.

All my dogs have been rescues or shelter dogs/puppies, except Sequoyah. I purchased her from a reputable stockdog breeder because I had always wanted a working style Aussie puppy and couldn't find one from ARPH. The oldest dog I ever adopted was Fergie - she came at age 11, and is now 20 1/2.

Rule number one - ignore excitement, reward calm. Relaxation protocol is great, but at times when you are not doing it, the fall back position is rule number one:-) Also, if you have time, set him up for success by exercising him before partner arrives, so that he isn't quite as keen.

Anyone who would like to support Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline can now purchase their 2010 calendar: http://www.aussierescue.org/Home/tabid/53/ctl/Details/mid/408/ItemID/24/Default.aspx

Are you a non-profit, or do you just support rescue with part of your proceeds? And, can you tell me which rescues you are supporting (you don't have to list all of them, just a few - I like to know where my donations go, should I choose to make one.

This is not just for Kenya - but for anyone whose dog exhibits a similar constellation of behaviors, either minimally or in a troubling way. Spinning & pica (ingesting non-food items) are both stereotypical behaviors that sometimes point to underlying anxiety at best, and obsessive compulsive disorder at worst. It's more common in some breeds than others, and IME GSD's are one breed that seems to have its share of dogs that exhibit this behavior. Crates are usually contraindicated, as