New GSD - NEED HELP! - Page 1

 Hi everyone, I really need your help . . . 

I brought home a 7.5 month-old German Shepherd female last night.  The people I bought her from (for $500) bought her from a breeder (Woodside in Langley, B.C. Canada (for $1500)) - Woodside breed N. American show lines.  The dog (Juno) is exhibiting some behaviours I'm extremely concerned about.  I have three kids, ages 16, 5, & 3.  The two youngest kids are not here this weekend but are coming back Sun. eve.  & at this point, I don't think this is going to work out.  Here's why, and PLEASE tell me what you think:

- Juno has nipped at my hand several times already;
- She jumps up on me and on furniture, counters, (but seems to know she's not supposed to);
- She has peed in the house once last night after coming in from outside, and pooed in the house three times already since bringing her home;

The nipping at my hand is the most concerning to me.  I simply cannot have her & my little kids here together if she's going to be doing that.  

What I really need to know is:  IS THIS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR FOR A 7.5 MONTH-OLD GSD?

Any advice appreciated!  I will be checking here several times today I'm sure!

Genipher

P.S.  I'm inexperienced.  I'm inexperienced.  I'm inexperienced.  There, now you don't have to say it!  : )

I was also an inexperienced human parent before I had kids, and that seems to be working out . . . 

Sounds like you've purchased someone else's problem. All the behaviors mentioned are normal for a dog that's never had any rules enforced or manners taught.

Genipher,

There's nothing wrong with asking for help, but the reality of your situation is you don't know how to train a dog and the internet is most likely not going to help you fix the dog. If your in Langley or Surrey, call Canine Harmony and speak to Chanone about these issues. (604) 219-2545

Genifer,

Do you have any experience with dogs? I agree with Felloffher, you don't sound like you have "the skills" yet to deal with the dog you have.

Have you contacted the kennel to voice your concerns?  What was their advise?

Genifer, you can do this but you have to know it is work involving the whole family, and you need to throw out the cute cuddly puppy idea right off the bat. The most concerning thing for me about your situation is your three year old and five year old, because you are inexperienced. They are going to be very upset when they realize their best buddy and pal just wants to eat them. My youngest was seven when we got our GSD pup and it requires absolute vigilence with them (the kids and dog) until you are in control, and actually until, when they are in control. This can be a disasterous situation for the unprepared. You do need to get to puppy classes at the very least, a visit with a professional would probably help you tremendously. You don't want to make a lot of mistakes at this point, especially if this is a rehomed dog that has been allowed to develop bad habits. It is always better to prevent these from happening rather than correct them...(advice I remember from YR).

My youngest is 10 now, and our dog is 4 and they are the best of friends but it didn't happen overnight or a just a few days. . . think about what you are prepared to do to make this work.

Question for you... was this a kennel dog or a house dog? Rehomed? What is the history?

YES, you describe perfectly normal behavior for a GSD that has not been taught any manners.

Here if this is the breeder, give her the option of buying her back, my contract states that if you don't want your pup anymore, return them back to me, only cause it takes an experienced breeder to match the pup to the family.

http://www.gsdbydesign.com/Woodside/for_sale.htm

 They may be more than happy to reimburse your $ 500.00 and take her back.

Please call her & see,
     can't hurt...

they seem like very responsible breeders

I like Mirasmom's suggestion.

You don't sound ready to take on a puppy of any breed.  Everything you described is normal puppy behavior and normal 'teenager' behavior in a dog and needs to be delt with calmly and with patience, neither of which you sound to have at this point.

Consider sending the puppy back to the original breeder or owner and seriously look at getting one of these wonderful older dogs who are coming up for adoption.  They are going to be calmer, a lot of them are listed as house trained and they'll be more likely to enjoy relaxing and teaching your children what it means to have a dog in their lives.

Yes you may loose them in a couple of years to old age but that is a couple of years for your children to grow up with a dog and then you can revisit the idea of a puppy without having to be so concerned over the age and inexperience of your children.

Use your knee,,,,,,,that fixes everything.  Spay her,,,,,,,that fixes everything.

Did the people you got her from not give you ANY idea of her behaviors?? Did you not even meet her before you bought her??