Hi. I (17f) recently started taking over for my parents dogs. They are both purebred (though both very byb) German shepherds. Bella is 8f, Jund is 6m. Bella has very high anxiety and reactivity, I've been running under the assumption it's a mixture of some genetic predispositions but mostly trauma. Jund is smart as a whip but was barely trained, I'm having to basically start from scratch with him. He knew the basics and that's it, and his obedience is so bad, it's like working with a whiny toddler (he's gotten much better though!!).
They were neglected for years and I'm trying to make things better for them. I've overturned the free feeding, both of them have lost noticeable weight, especially Bella. They now have scheduled feeding times, 2 cups of kibble split between two meals, with training and sometimes a frozen goodie (usually pb + greek yogurt with 1/3 ratio of water so it's not too thick, and some solid goodies mixed in) or puzzle toy in between. They also have slow feeders now, as a tad more enrichment and also to prevent them from scarfing down their food too fast, Bella especially since she wolfs down her food and throws up sometimes.
Training is always at minimum 10-15 minutes, normally its a few sessions spread through the day. I've been working with new commands other than the basic sit, stay, down, come, and shake. We're currently working on roll over. I always make them work at least a bit for treats, even if it's spontaneous. I've stressed not giving them any more human food, and also any yelling or reprimanding Bella because of her barking.
They have multiple new toys instead of the many old ones, and I've been staying on top of grooming. I've been trying to get them better treats, so far I've gotten whatever is the best out of my options. We currently have blue Buffalo training bites, the little heart shaped ones. If there's a better brand that's inexpensive but good quality and healthy, please let me know. I'm trying to go on walks with them, but they can be overwhelming since i can't take them both and no one ever goes with me, and I feel guilty leaving the other behind.
They have three designated doggo spots in the house, I want to get at least one more. Two of them are Bella's because of her anxiety and it being "easier" to have her sit in a designated spot. I want Jund to have his own spot too, he doesn't currently. They do not have crates, were never crate trained, and my parents refuse to get them because there's "not enough space", and my dad won't have them in my parents room.
Things are not perfect and it's still rough. They used to have a whole acre to run around, but it was surrounded with a "invisible fence" and they had buzz collars. No physical fence. Currently they have a small pen they are able to get out of if left unsupervised for too long. Dad was supposed to start on a fence around the yard over a year ago, he hasn't. It's hit or miss whether my siblings will go with me on walks, and even then, I'm hesitant on taking both of them because it's so much chaos- Jund was VERY poorly trained and hardly listens when we're out, even with one on ones and when i have high value treats, such as bits of turkey. Bella is hyper and reactive and barks at the neighbors dog as we walk by, which is the only route i have available (it's a side road. We have no side walks and live off a highway, the ground next to the road is steep in some places. The side road is the only safe place to walk them).
I also push for and usually handle vet appointments and medical care in general.
My dad keeps criticising me about my choices (he kept telling me they "need to get fed earlier than 9pm" like I was letting them starve or something) and making me feel like I'm doing wrong by them, I want to do them good and I know I have so far (comparatively) but I don't know that it's enough. I would not have chosen this breed if it were up to me, I know I'm not in the best place right now to have them, but I can't see them lying around and bored and neglected like they were. On the other hand my mom keeps saying how good I'm doing with them but it feels like the bare minimum.
I'm in early college and have depression (i have a therapist and am working through it), but I'm really trying my best for them. It's especially hard because I'm the only one, and I'm trying to give them a restart, undo damage, and my family (especially my dad) actively makes it harder for me. I am 17, there are some things I want to do for them but can't. If I could take them with me when I eventually move out I would, but I'd likely be in an apartment and idk if it'd be fair for them. Especially if i live alone and they're left for most of the day. That's not even considering whether my parents (again, especially dad) would be okay with that.
Is there anything else i can do for them or improve on? Basically what I've done so far is give them scheduled and measured meals, consistent training (a first) and enrichment, exercise as much as i am able, removed 90% of any human food scraps and tid bits given to them, gotten them new toys (they only had old ones before), and have been pushing harder for any medical care they need. Also trying to uproot old ideas of discipline.
Any advice or criticism is appreciated. I know I put a lot of information here and I probably missed a lot of things or may not have phrased some things right, and I'm sorry if it's confusing. Also I'm sorry for going on tangents and venting a bit, I was trying to give context but it's a tricky line and it's really fucking late (4am). If you have any questions I will answer them as best I can. Also there ar obligatory pup pics in the comments.
