about

My name is Elly and I am 18 years old. I live in Michigan and I graduated High School in '07. I'm currently attending a great college, but I'm home for the summer. It's too nice outside to sit on the computer all day, so I might not be as active on here as I would like.

I guess a good way to describe me is experienced. I've discovered a lot about life and I can't wait to discover more... while having fun at the same time of course! ...BUT, like everyone, I have experienced things in life that I rather wish I hadn't. And I also feel that those bad experiences qualify me to help others with this column.

I have been in a serious relationship for over two and a half years now. I personally know that love is a difficult thing to nurture. It takes a lot of work. Life is NOT a fairytale where two people can simply love each other and everything will just fall into place. It doesn't work like that in the real world.

People on Advicenators are starting to disappoint me. Everyone says "ooh I want to help! I've experienced EVERYTHING!" Yet, I can't tell you how many questions I see with answers like "you could have googled that" or "we're not going to do your homework" or "I'm so sick of 'wow does he like me?!' questions." I used to sort of be like that, but now I realize how hypocritical that is. If I know the answer to a question, I will answer to the best of my ability without making you feel stupid for asking it in the first place. Advicenators is going to turn into a pretty nasty place if people just keep brushing off questions like that.

Rate or don't rate. I really don't care. But don't give me a 1 just because I tell you something you don't want to hear. Go to your mom for advice if you want sugarcoated answers.

I can give excellent advice on:
relationships/sex
friendship
family issues
anything about animals (i worked at a vet for several years)
college

advice

Hey, to anyone wanting to help.
So I've had my dog for about six or seven months, now. I'm pretty sure he's eight months old, and he's about 80 lbs. He's a pure bred German Shephard.
I love having a dog to death, but he can be one of the most vicious things you'll ever see. For example, when I sleep at my dad's house, I usually sleep on the couch. I'll usually last the night, or half, but my dog always ends up jumping on the couch and biting me until I wake up. Then, I basically have to fight him off, or get up and put him outside.
He also just randomly jumps at me, and I do fall over, he dosen't weigh much less than me, so then he's good to bite and scratch and everything. I'm pretty sure he's just playing, but I've tried to teach him to stop, with the squirter thing, and with the rolled up newspaper, but I think he just thinks I'm playing back.

I'm sick of going h ome with tons of scratches and cuts, and I want this to stop before he gets any bigger, too.

Please help. I don't want any advice to just get a cage or put him in another room, we can't do that, and he barks too much to leave him outside all night.

Thanks so much!

Every time he jumps on you, give him a HARD knee in the chest while firmly saying (not yelling) "NO." Don't hesitate at all. He's a big dog. It won't harm him. That will throw him off guard. He won't like when you do that, so every time you knee him in the chest, he'll learn that he shouldn't be jumping on people. Tell everyone who visits your home to do the same so he learns not to jump on ANYONE.

Anytime he bites you, clamp your hand around his nose, keeping his mouth shut, and put your face right in front of his and FIRMLY say "NO." Then you can release his nose. Make sure to look him right in the eye. Do this to him EVERY time he bites someone or something he shouldn't be biting.

Whenever he plays or chews on his toys, play with him, all the while telling him he's good for chewing on the toy and not people.

If you happen to walk in on him and he's chewing something he shouldn't be, get his attention with a loud clap or whistle. When he looks at you, firmly tell him "NO" and take whatever it was away from him.

See, German Shephards have A LOT of energy. Esp. puppies. You should start walking him AT LEAST twice a day for at least 15-20 minutes. This will help use up his energy. Do you guys have a big yard? Why not let him run around outside for a few hours a day and play fetch with him?

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(Rating: 5) Thanks for your help! I probably will be hesitant about kneeing him in the chest, lol, but it really sounds helpful!!!
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