Training a GSD and a Beagle

[superbatranger]

OK, so my parents got a black German Shepherd dog around 6-7 weeks ago, and a beagle back in January. The GSD is almost 8 weeks old, and the beagle is 9 months old. Now, I've only known them both for about 2 weeks, so I don't know what kinda training, if any, my parents have put the dogs through. What exactly is the best way to house train the GSD? I've heard that the best way is to take him outside 20 minutes after eating so he can do his business. That way he can get used to the idea of not doing it in the house. But, the beagle never leaves him alone. So, it's like I have to crate her every time. Not only that, but how can I tell when their play fighting goes too far? The beagle never makes a sound, but the GSD yelps, growls and barks like crazy. Granted, neither have been hurt. But, when I separate them when it seems too rough, they go right back at it when I let them go. Does this mean they weren't playing too rough? But, sometimes I notice that the GSD wants to get away and explore the yard. The beagle, though, follows him and starts nipping at him and they end up play fighting again. Also, as expected, the GSD loves to nip and bite at my feet and hands. I try to discourage it by distracting him with his toy so he chews on that instead, but, he always seems to ignore the toy altogether. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him play with it.

In short, I'm just asking for tips and advice with house training the GSD and training him not to bite so much. That, and training the beagle to learn to leave the GSD alone when he doesn't want to mess around any more and just explore the yard. I do let them play fight with each other so that they can learn bite inhibition and to get exercise, but I don't want to keep crating the beagle every time the GSD wants to explore the yard or every time I want to house train him.

 

[Rylot]

I've got a five month old Dachshund and what we did with potty training for her was for the first month or so was put down puppy pads that she always had access to until we started to notice her signals for when she needs to go (for her it's when she sniffs around and keeps her head on the ground longer than thirty seconds). When we'd notice those behaviors we'd take her outside. We'd also tell her sternly 'no' when ever she'd go in the house. After a few weeks she began associating outside with bathroom and now she scratches at the door when she needs to go out. I'd suggest always taking him out the same door so he only goes to that door when he needs to go out.

As for the Beagle never leaving the German Shepard alone I'd suggest playing with the Beagle or otherwise keeping it distracted when the German Shepard wants to be alone. I only have the one dog so I've never had this problem.

For the play fighting I'd say it usually pretty easy to tell when it turns serious. If one dog starts whining and yelping while trying to get away it's turned serious. If both dogs are keeping their tails up and bouncing up and down it's still play time.

German Shepards are herding dogs so the biting and nipping are bread into them. I'd suggest standing still and keeping your hands behind your back and telling him 'no'. Get him to sit if he knows how to do that. I'm no dog trainer by any stretch of the imagination and your best bet is to consult a trainer but hopefully these give you some ideas.