The GSD Hub with Jenny Gould

24/09/2025

Simply awesome post!!! Caring about other people's dogs? Now there's a thing....if only everyone had the same approach it really would be a much nicer world to walk our dogs in.

I was talking with a class the other day, and in conversation, I mentioned that whenever I meet another dog and their owner, I always put my dogs on their leads until we pass. Often, they are only on the lead for a matter of seconds, and once we have passed, I release them and let them go on their way. Most of the time, when I place my dogs on a lead, it prompts the other owner to do the same.
My reason for doing this? I don’t know if the other dog is comfortable around dogs, particularly a couple of large, confident dogs. As a dog owner, I don’t just care about my dogs and their feelings; I care about other dogs that we meet on our travels.
We can now meet and have a conversation with several owners who own dogs that are fearful and occasionally reactive to other dogs. Guess what? Those dogs are now quite comfortable standing for about 5 minutes, a few feet away, while their owners chat with me.
I’ve now noticed that other people who used to let their dogs get too close to the fearful dogs and their owners are now doing the same as I do—placing their dog on the lead and giving the other dog space. Those fearful dogs now have a small group of dogs with whom they are no longer afraid, and their little group of acquaintances is slowly expanding.
This is beneficial for fearful dogs, as they are now less afraid, and it's good for confident dogs, who are no longer subjected to the reactivity of the dogs they meet. Even a confident dog can only tolerate so much aggression being directed at it.
There are enough people out there who dislike dogs; we should all be doing our best to deny them ammunition and help each other out.

12/09/2025

❓Do you own an adolescent?

❓Do you feel that all the behaviours you did not particularly like such as biting, inability to sleep or settle have now disappeared? Do you feel it is all sorted and that life is now a breeze?

I hate to be the voice of doom but I say think again.

✅Behaviour is fluid and never more so than when you own an adolescent dog.

Until your dog has reached adulthood do not become complacent. They have so many different phases ahead of them whilst they pave their way through hormones and adolescence. All of these phases will bring their own complications and challenges.

Enjoy the temporary reprieve for it will be likely short lived. I am a naturally positive and optimistic person but still I say that, in this instance, forewarned is forearmed.

📚We do not quit teaching our children after junior school. We ensure they are educated right through adolescent and into adulthood.

Do your dog the same justice and they will be far more likely to reach adulthood without you having had a mental breakdown in the process.......or perhaps emptied the alcohol cabinet!

11/09/2025

That time of year again....

It's that time of year again where acorns will going to be flooding the floors and could become tempting to your dog. It's important to remember the dangers of acorns when they become ingested ⚠️

Did you know that acorns (and the entire Oak tree) is poisonous to dogs? 🌳
Here’s the signs and symptoms of acorn poisoning in dogs. Be sure to save this post for later and share to raise awareness! 🐶

Find out more: thekennelclub.org.uk/acorns

05/09/2025

31/08/2025

❓Splenic Tumours - are they always a death sentence?

In my experience.... no....read on to find out more.

I would like to introduce you to my Ava (Obedience Champion Zakanja Beewyched). This girl was always special to me but at 8 years and 7 months old our relationship was about to change forever.

💔Ava was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. She was given the usual 1-3 months to live and I was recommended not to fight this disease because I would lose. I was devastated.

We fought ..and then some. She lived and loved life for another 38 months!!! Over 3 years!

This is a disease so many of our GSDs succumb to. In fact it is a disease many dogs full stop succumb to. It is a silent killer. So few symptoms, if any, until it is too late.

When faced with a prognosis like this do not just give up and take your vet's word for it. Research, become educated and fight! It is only ever a number you are given. It is up to you what you do with it.

Photo courtesy of the fabulous Brian McGovern. A moment in time captured just perfectly.

29/08/2025

🔤 Breaking everything down into individual skills makes for much easier explanations to our GSDs. It is like teaching the alphabet letter by letter as opposed to jumping from A-D for example.

☯️ These skills will overlap and influence so many different situations and problem areas. Whatever your problem area do not underestimate how improving your basic foundations can really make all the difference!

👀 Lets take eye contact and have a look at how positively this impacts leadwalking and impulse control for example.....

As opposed to biting me through frustration when she wants something Tove has realised that eye contact is a damn good bet to earn what she wants...whether that be getting to the muddy puddle or earning her toy back after a release.

Pulling does not work, checking in with eye contact does. Biting me or trying to sn**ch the toy back off me does not work but eye contact does. You get the idea. It needs teaching thoroughly and methodically before you can expect it to become automatic.

✅✅✅ Teaching eye contact won't automatically solve all your problems but many problems are easier solved if you do!

18/08/2025

🎉🎉🎉 Woohoo!!!! 1st B win for Sports Edition member Tricia and Taiga this weekend!!!

How flipping amazing Tricia I am so damn chuffed for you!!!

17/08/2025

Ditch the Label!

We need to be mindful of the past but live in the present and concentrate on the future.

It is human nature to look backwards. Of course it is pertinent to acknowledge our dog's genetics and understand the breed's intrinsic traits and characteristics. It is also sensible to understand how upbringing and negative experiences can influence the dog we see in front of us.

What is not helpful however is labelling our dogs whilst passing through the many stages on their way to maturity. Understand that these phases do not define who your dog is. Also understand that behaviour is fluid.

Your dog goes through a fear phase. He is labelled as anxious. Your dog goes through a bolshy stage with other dogs. He is labelled as aggressive. Your dog goes through a hormonal stage. She is labelled as an airhead.

Do not underestimate how YOUR mindset can also influence your dog's behaviour. Do not imprison your dog into these categories forever.

Work through each of these stages proactively and positively but ditch that label!

After all a teenage human watching p**n does not automatically become a s*x offender!

photo courtesy of the brilliant Brian McGovern

*xoffender

11/08/2025

⁉️⁉️⁉️Did you know that GSD Hub Club members get a HUMUNGOUS discount on The Sports Edition???

😱In fact it is pretty much a whopping 75% discount!

It's not too late to join The GSD Hub Club and gain access to the Sports Edition for just £14.99 per month (normal cost is £49.99 per month).

2️⃣4️⃣1️⃣The GSD Hub Club closes tonight....why not get 2 clubs (and therefore double the amount of content, lives, feedbacks, community, etc) for almost the price of 1!

🤯 It's a no brainer!

Hit the link below to sign up to The GSD Hub Club (all breeds welcome 👇👇👇

https://the-gsd-hub-club.mn.co/plans/1425925?bundle_token=7eccf09694cbbdfbad307d0ce2c0d540