The Ultimatum

[grid, lost]

But our home is quite unpredictable, we don't have a daily routine, as sometimes D is there, sometimes she is w/ H and the dog was very attached to her former little girl. Also, sometimes H is there, sometimes not (though more so lately). I can see how the dog would pick up any stress that's floating around. But the past few days, H has been at the house and I notice a huge difference in the dog, which is probably a reflection on the difference in the rest of us.

FA,
you do not need a regular routine to train your dog. Please so your life will be much easier and happy enroll in obedience class. Daily training is not more than 10-15 minutes. that is all you need to give. When H was home you mentioned dog acted different, for the better or not? As a suggestion try to get into the habit of having few doggie treats in your pockets. When dog acts as you wish, even if sitting quiet in kitchen watching you, reward with praise and a treat. A dog is like having a 3 or 4 old that never really grows up. They need structure as well as attention and love. Instead of saying to yourself, why will this dog not do what I want, ask your self what am I doing wrong that this dog doesn't understand what I need him to do.???

D is a little afraid b/c of the size difference and the dog's energy

,
this is good to know as appears at this point your D to dog is still higher in the pack. When dog is to excited around your D, teach your D to stand still, even turn her back on the dog till he calms down. Turning her back on the dog says, I'm not going to play with you till you stop this behavior. Dogs quickly learn to calm down. Then turn around and quietly tell dog he is a good dog and praise, even give treat.

But I will take your suggestions to heart. The reason I got the dog was not for me but for my D,

thank you for hearing me out. I know by your posts you are a kind person and will work to make this all come around. I under stand why you got the dog and as a volunteer with local animal shelter, to often when the stitchs do not work out, dog ends up in shelter or left in back yard alone, day after day after day. Which is not fair to the dog.

The family we adopted her from assured us that she had no discipline concerns and for the trial w/end, the dog was very easy and calm. Things are not always as they seem - go figure.

The reason the dog was fine for a short time is he must have come from a home with more structure and time for him. Now he is in your home has found out there is very little structure or boundaries and the 4 yr old kid in him is taking over, to sorta speak. Also keep in mind a GR is a sporting dog. They are bred for generations and generations to run and hunt in field all day long. Now he lives in house with little time for him, very little exercise and no boundries. I am sure he is a good dog just now he has all this energy so he could work in the field all day and he is suppose to lay around the house. Life just doesn't work that way. Put on those running shoes, leash him and run away from your problems, lol.
good luck, I know you can pull through.
cheers
grid, lost