Caution! Incoming puppy! Tips?

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SadKen

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After losing our old boy in November and being obsessive about hip and elbow scores as a result, we have finally found a litter and put a deposit down on a GSD pup. They were only born on 08/01 so we will be going back in a few weeks to pick the little boy that we want (out of 9!). They're show line (Pizarro vom Pendler x Alliah Amore) and having met sister/grandma/daughter/nephew yesterday (and passed our interview!) I'm feeling very pleased with our choice as the pup should be just right for my husband who is still struggling after losing our old lad. I think our 7yo GSD will also be pleased to have a little brother.

I was initially insistent on another worker and we've ended up going for show lines, but I finally realised that what my husband needs is more important this time, and he struggles with the drive of our 7yo. We will be looking to choose the most relaxed and laid back pup out of the bunch this time.

It's been 7 years since our last pup, and I've no doubt that I've forgotten a lot of stuff.

What's your best new puppy tip?
 
I have no puppy experience, my GSD was a two year old rescue. the next 2 rescues have also been 2+
just wanted to say Im very jealous and all the best when they come home, plus we need pictures!
 
Start as you mean to go on! We told visitors not to pick up our Rotter pups as they really would not want 8st (or even 16st, if they got both of them) of Rottweiler sitting on them when the girls grew up. The girls know not to attempt to climb on most visitors but a couple who ignored us now know why they should have listened.:oops:

We also made the mistake of laughing when they were 'mop surfing' when they were tiny. They still enjoy 'helping' with anything that involves a sweeping motion.;)


I bet he is gorgeous!
 
Just to say, I am so pleased that you have found the right pup for you. I remember you losing your older dog and the trauma of deciding what to do next.
Good luck with the little one. Tips.... I know nothing about GSDs, I am a retriever person but most young pups will be similar.
Consistency is the word and a very clear framework of acceptable behaviour even when very young. Distract unacceptable behaviour to something acceptable. They go through a stage of hooliganism with very sharp teeth but it’s a passing phase.
Remember to enjoy the puppyhood, it doesn’t last long. Have fun.
 
Yay!

After the first few days of settling in, I'd recommend introducing the pup to things that may be considered stressful (nail clipping, vet visits/physical examination, brushing/grooming, loud household noises, leash pressure, mild correction, take your pick!) and teaching him that going through stress is OK and results in good things at the end. There seems to be a train of thought that shielding young dogs from stress is 'kind' and expecting them to cope with it later, but then we can end up with (sometimes very large) adult dogs who can't cope with very basic things that happen in life. That may fall under the banner of socialisation, but I am shocked at the amount of adult dogs who cannot cope with, for example, being groomed, because the owner thought they were being 'nice' and stopping the brushing when the dog played up as a puppy. So the dog is uncomfortable and itchy and hot and full of dead hair several times a year.

And as with Chiffy, Pearl and Clodagh, GSDs like black and white, they don't do grey, in my experience and prefer direction rather than ambiguity. What you allow, is what will continue ;)
 
Thanks guys all good stuff so far. I'm quite a disciplinarian but I'll have to watch the old man as he lets them get away with everything because he wants them to love him... hence hopefully getting one that won't have a high drive in the wrong direction! I like the idea of leash training early on, didn't think of that. And tv protection is also very good!

They are too small for pics really but there is one of mum and pups together. When we go back there will be more but they are just a puddle of sausages at the moment!

're socialising I do like to get them as comfortable as possible and definitely don't lay off brushing, teeth cleaning etc. I expect them to put up with anything I might ask them to do although I have had to train cuddling for all of them! The breeder has suggested doing this from 8 weeks. I have to say I've historically kept them in until 12 weeks/second jabs but I do think early socialization is important. What's your view on the right balance? I'm thinking ok to take to the yard/friends houses where I know all dogs will have had jabs And maybe the pub if he stays on our knees?
 
Mine go out from 1st jabs, although I would not set out to meet strange dogs but ours and others I know are fair game. Some people now wait until 15 weeks, which seems bizarre to me.
 
My puppy has a regular Tuesday night date with a craft club in a local pub. She knows that she has to lay quiet under the table without stealing any dropped items. Once we are ready to leave she gets a stroke and fuss from the group members without any fuss or bounce from her.

To help with the laying quiet part I stand on her lead making it harder for her to get up and wriggle around. When she was small she was given a bull pizzle or rice bone to chew while we crafted but now that is not needed and gets ignored.
 
I didn’t collect my puppy til he was 11 weeks old and he had only just had his first jabs so was told to wait 4 weeks til next ones. I decided that was too long to wait to get him out and about, so he came up to the yard with me, went to lots of garden centres, cafes, pubs, etc and we just carried him where the risk was higher (he was a heavy great lump by this point!).

You probably don’t need it as you have had dogs before, but as a first time puppy owner My top tip is to chill out and enjoy them, let them be puppies and don’t expect them to be perfect. I did so much reading on how to be a good dog owner, how to train my puppy, that when puppy didn’t follow what was in the book I got a bit stressed (I also had brutal headaches at the time). I had expected he would be fine with the horses and the cats and everything, but turns out he’d quite like to chase the horses and the cats and cars and wheelie bins, and I wasn’t prepared for that. I was out of my depth. But then I took a breath, calmed myself down and realised he’s just a baby, he doesn’t know the rules until I set them out clearly and am consistent, and I need to put in the work and allow it to take time.
 
Good luck, enjoy your pup. W are 13.5 months into a male GSD pup. we choose what looked to be the laziest and most laid back pup in a pet litter, In reality it turned out to the one with duracell batteries on speed. His siblings seem to be a lot quieter, I don't think you can tell.

Ours wasn't vaccinated till 16 weeks. That was the time the vet told me MDAs would have gone.
 
paddy555 said:
Good luck, enjoy your pup. W are 13.5 months into a male GSD pup. we choose what looked to be the laziest and most laid back pup in a pet litter, In reality it turned out to the one with duracell batteries on speed. His siblings seem to be a lot quieter, I don't think you can tell.
Click to expand...

I can almost guarantee this is what will happen even though we have one lunatic who is constantly set to 110% energy and refuses to sleep... ever... already. Groan!

I will certainly be trying to enjoy the pup phase although I am dreading the lack of kip and pee and poo! I don't know how people who have children manage, as pups grow up a bit quicker than kids!
 
I avoided puppy parties, too crazy and makes the pup think it’s ok to bounce on other dogs, my biggest pet hate!

I was told to sit outside a supermarket and get everyone to say hello to the pups but that would have been chaos! One maybe, two at a time would’ve been bonkers.
 
i took my little terrier out when i walked my other dog and i carried him so he could see other dogs and people and get used to cars etc. he is very friendly to both people and dogs and is also quite confident and i think taking him everywhere helped. not so easy with a gsd but if he is too big to carry you could go out in the car and let him see everything through the window...i also found housetraining very testing as my terrier would come indoors to pee after being outside for 20 mins!!!! the secret is to take them out as much as you can after sleeping,playing,eating and i ended up staying in the garden till he pee'd and as he did say the same thing, i said have a wee, and i treated him as soon as he had finished and once i did this he seemed to cotton on. wish i had done that from the beginning....it had been a long time since i had a puppy and it is bloomin hard work!!!! but rewarding
 
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