German shepards

claireandnadia

claireandnadia

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My mum has bought one and she is collecting her tonight. Just wondered if anyone has any tips.
We've read up loads but like my lab as a puppy.....you can do all the reading you like and nothing actually prepares you lol.
Were in the process of looking for a training group, although a group that specialises in GSD would be a bonus.
We've got a crate and she will be in there when we are out/in bed etc.
Any tips to help us along the way?
 
What way is she bred, PM me if you prefer :) hope all the health tests were carried out on Mum and Dad :)

- Socialise, socialise, socialise...get her used to everything

- Prepare for a gobby/rude phase which can last in some dogs between 9-24 months :o

-Get control/boundaries in early and often - they can be pushy - GSDs need clarity and order - ambiguity is not good for them

-Do not over-do the exercise, keep everything low impact until 12 months (inc jumping, up and down stairs, in and out of car) in order to protect the joints

-Work her brain - give her a 'job' to do, whether that be obedience, agility, tracking, etc.

My two favourite GSD books are by Brian Wootton and Percy Elliott, although they are more to do with the history and origins of the breed, but may still be interesting.
I think Katrina Stevens of the Kesyra kennel has also written a book about the breed which may be of help.

I do agree a GSD or working-breed orientated class will be more up your street. What is your general location, how far do you want to travel, and what sort of training would you be interested in, general or specialised?

The two main breed clubs are the GSDL and BAGSD, they might be able to recommend good classes/groups.
 
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oooo how exciting, Im so jealous.

Great, sound advice from Cavecanem.

Also, make sure you take lots and lots of pics, they grow up so fast and change so much.
 
:rolleyes:

Maybe wait until the OP brings her puppy home before we start with the cliches about slopey backs and dodgy hips, eh Wiz?

I am pleased to say that as far as I know most GSD enthusiasts on this forum only buy from or breed from stock with low hip and elbow scores :)
 
Thanks everyone.
To hand I don't have any of the how she is bred details, she's my mum so she has all the paperwork.
The breeder owns both mum and dad and has had the test etc, from memory hip scores was 6.5 but I don't know about the rest.
She arrived last night, was a bit sick on the journey back. She whined quite a bit all evening and last night but she was caged overnight with my lab in her bed right next to the cage.
I've been back in touch with the trainer I used for my lab but she has a waiting list and another school does have places available.
Were in Surrey so as long as we can find a German shephard training school on a weekend then my mum wouldn't mind travelling sort of 30 mins aways.
I'll check out the websites you've given above.
Thanks :)
 
We still need pics :D

Hey Wiz, I see from other thread you have a Golden Retriever or two. A breed which also suffers from hip dysplasia and where low hip scores should be mandatory in breeding stock :)
 
Yep, I've got two goldies. Can't comment on Amber as she was bred from a mistaken mating, but Bonnie was bred from a good KC registered breeder who had mated responsibly two good dogs with low hip scores, so subsequently I've got a very healthy ten year old who is not showing her age at all.
 
Ok, sorry for long delay. Introducing my dog Izzie (lab) and mums GSD Cassie.
Clairepic019.jpg

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Claire, if you get stuck - lovely livery in my yard has 2 x v well behaved gsd's & also works with a lovely fella over Guildford direction who does training - specifically with large dogs, can get you details if you like?
Lovely livery has also got a 7 week old pup to join her other 2, tho this isn't a gsd - will be a little bigger.....;)

I've had 2 in the past as well :) Hope your mum is having a not too busy time!

xx
 
Beautiful, will be interesting to see how the pup changes as she grows. Interesting coat colouring she is very light. I dont think there are pups that change so much when they are growing as much as a GSD pup changes.

Enjoy her, Im still so jealous x
 
I wouldn't worry too much about finding a GSD-specific training class but just ensure the quality of the class is good. Infact, I would probably encourage a class of mixed breeds so that the dog is exposed to multiple sized/shaped/colour dogs. Socialisation to all sorts is very important, especially in a reserved breed like the GSD
http://www.apdt.co.uk is a good place to find a local trainer. I'm in Surrey too and could recommend a couple if she was near by (I'm the Heathrow end of Surrey)

A good breeder should have gone over it already but I'd also recommend the Puppy Plan that the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust have come up with, it has details on what kind of things to expose pup to at what age, etc.
http://www.thepuppyplan.com/?page_id=29
 
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Thanks. I'm Heathrow end of Surrey too :)
We've found a GSD training in Camberley which she is going to tonight and I'm on the waiting list for a good group in staines that I took my lab too.
For socialisation, the park I go to in Laleham has a huge mixture of different breeds and very friendly dogs.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Claire, if you get stuck - lovely livery in my yard has 2 x v well behaved gsd's & also works with a lovely fella over Guildford direction who does training - specifically with large dogs, can get you details if you like?
Lovely livery has also got a 7 week old pup to join her other 2, tho this isn't a gsd - will be a little bigger.....;)

I've had 2 in the past as well :) Hope your mum is having a not too busy time!

xx
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Keeping us all busy at the moment lol.
Mum is going to one tonight in Camberley, will see how that goes.
 
Hopefully it's sorted but if not I'd really recommend Pet Necessities in Egham, especially if Staines isn't too far for her. Sarah is fab and has helped me out loads, even though I'm not even a paying customer (she assessed my GSD to see if he could join the class but as he's dog-reactive and was a bit too anxious around the stooge situation she set up, she said it was better for everyone if he didn't join a class just yet and gave me lots of good info on getting him into a more focused, less anxious state first). She does lots of workshops and fun classes too, and methods are all positive with no intimidation or physical punishment.

Just be a little careful with socialisation in parks etc. - you ideally want to make sure that every experience is a positive one and this can be difficult to ensure if you don't know the dogs or how they'll react. Not every friendly dog tolerates a puppy, some can surprise their owners with their behaviour towards a pup vs an adult dog (e.g. my GSD is not aggressive with them but thinks puppies are toys and tries to pick them up like a teddy/ball!). Careful meetings, e.g. doing some parallel walking with all the dogs on-lead before letting them meet face-to-face can be a good way to judge how the other dog will react without putting pup into a situation that might end badly.
 
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They're a great bunch of people at Camberley BAGDS. I first met Sue in the 1980's.

What they don't know about Shepherds isn't worth knowing. They used to have some excellent guest trainers too:)
 
krlyr said:
Hopefully it's sorted but if not I'd really recommend Pet Necessities in Egham, especially if Staines isn't too far for her. Sarah is fab and has helped me out loads, even though I'm not even a paying customer (she assessed my GSD to see if he could join the class but as he's dog-reactive and was a bit too anxious around the stooge situation she set up, she said it was better for everyone if he didn't join a class just yet and gave me lots of good info on getting him into a more focused, less anxious state first). She does lots of workshops and fun classes too, and methods are all positive with no intimidation or physical punishment.

Just be a little careful with socialisation in parks etc. - you ideally want to make sure that every experience is a positive one and this can be difficult to ensure if you don't know the dogs or how they'll react. Not every friendly dog tolerates a puppy, some can surprise their owners with their behaviour towards a pup vs an adult dog (e.g. my GSD is not aggressive with them but thinks puppies are toys and tries to pick them up like a teddy/ball!). Careful meetings, e.g. doing some parallel walking with all the dogs on-lead before letting them meet face-to-face can be a good way to judge how the other dog will react without putting pup into a situation that might end badly.
Click to expand...

Is this up near that Kerry Foods?
 
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