new puppy questions - Page 1

I have a new puppy and wondered what you think is most important in training your dog.  I have heard to make sure I put the puppy around lots of people and other dogs.  Would a puppy class be okay too?  And just take her wherever I go...stores that allow dogs etc?  Also I know alot of dogs on here are doing protection stuff but what about agility...has anyone put their dog in agility and do they like it? and when would you start them in that?  Also, when would you start obedience classes.  Are AKC classes okay or would you go to another type of class?  My girl is a little over 3 months old.  Also if I did do the protection, Schutzhund sport, how do you know if your dog is suited for that?  What would I look for?  Thanks and sorry about so many questions.

More questions are better then not enough.  Out and about is good, when you can control the circumstances.  Puppy vaccines before too much exposure is a good thing.  Pet stores and dog parks where people think it's your duty to let their dogs play with you puppy, or dog, are not good things.  Some basic obedience is a good thing.  Bounderies are good, stuff like can't eat my ankles or slippers but can chew on this toy.  We teach multiple commands for casual and formal, go ahead and start with the casual.  Heel and Fuss are similar but for us heel is casual, fuss is formal.  Environmental agility, stairs, benches, bridges, decks, all good.  Don't over do until bones grow and joints finish.  All of our puppies we are doing schutzhund with now were all chew monsters and no fear, full speed ahead, let me at them.

Of course these are just my opinions, you'll get lots more.....

Dear new gsd owner,

as much as I can relay on why you post your questions on apost like this, I cannot cope with what you are facing !!

My first question is, did the breeder of your pup did not give you any advice how to do things ?

Yes, expose your pop to different surroundings, but most important, never leave your pup in curcumtances where it would feel left alone ! Be there, encouraging it, but yet guiding it to proper behaving.

Dont expose your pup to , for you, unknown dogs, without proper immuziation. Yor pup does not have proper immunhealth yet, so be carefull !

Shoot, I could go on & on ! Raising a pup is not easy !

The very best to you & your Pup

Ulli Dresbach

hi new pup owner, i agree, the breeder should have given advice on this. i know petsmart/petco offer puppy classes; all have to have proof of immunizations, but the store itself is not "disease proof". they can't check every dogs records who comes in. maybe wait til the pup is a bit older, but the very basic training is good and socialization too. be careful, tho, cuz some people don't watch their dogs in places like that. i'm sure that some will have more thorough info, but i've read that you shouldn't start shutzhund til the pup is older. they are just like little kids, the joints and bones are still forming and developing. don't strain too much. i started training my pup at 2 months and its always an ongoing thing, so there's time. start the basics at home, sit, stay and how to walk on a lead. i liked the gentle leader, good control and you can't hurt their necks at all. good luck and i'm just a little jealous - i love the puppy stage.

to clear up one thing, i started training my pup at 2 mos in very BASIC training, not anything heavy.

Thanks for your replies, unfortunately I did not ask alot of questions....he asked "do you have any questions?" and of course at the time I did not have as many as I do now or should have and he probably told me things that didn't sink in or I forgot......just looking through books, reading posts, talking to other people I know...brings up more questions.  Totally my fault being a newbie....apparently this is the wrong board to post on.  I should look elsewhere...sorry to bother.

I made my comment in regards to Oskar1's comment on "why I would post questions on a post like this".  Is there another messageboard I should be posting my questions on?  Thanks! 

Your other option is to go ahead and call the breeder back with your list of questions.

Nope, not the wrong board for posting questions.  Oskar1 (Ulli) is very helpful and gives good advice.  Keep asking questions but always remember the breeder you bought from is a resource too.

Hey new owner,

I'm sure Oscar1 didn't mean it the way it sounded. If he did, it would be out of character, IMO.

This site has a lot of good information, if you can take the heat. It gets pretty rough at times, it's not just a site; it's an adventure!

You have to use this site like gambling. You have to play the odds. Like this post-2 to 1 in your favor (getting something you can use). So you figure your odds, play your hand (post) and either hit the jackpot with information or get cleaned out! Gotta live on the edge here.

You could go to one like germanshepherds.com and get info., but not the quality you can get here. They have posts like: What direction does your dog turn to go poo? I kid you not. They are moderated and terribly civilized. You just have to decide which you prefer.

Me, I like a rough and tumble world.

Now, to your questions. I have a 2 yr old, and a 5 mos old GSD and a Havanese. I hate ill behaved animals so I start very early teaching them. First is sit. Take treat, hold in closed fist in front of nose and slowly go over the head and directly backwards not high though. In following the treat with his nose, he will go into a sit. At the instant the butt touches the floor say the word "sit". Not before the move is wanted but when it is given. After he associates the motion of sitting with the word sit, you can ask for it and then expect it. The important thing is never ask him to do something that YOU have not laid the foundation for him to succeed at. If he doesn't get it, that means you havent given him the skills and you start from the beginning. 

Try to concentrate on telling him what TO do, not what NOT to do. Focus on on DO sit for food. Don't focus on the "dont jump for food". Lots of love but also lots of activity to keep him exercised and out of trouble.

Feel free to PM me.

Dawg