It simply amazes me !! - Page 2

Jenni78,  that is what I do.  I actually tell them that a puppy can turn their whole house upside down.  I tell them that puppies can make a huge mess and that puppies/dogs can get sick and the vet bill can cost thousands.  you would be amazed how many people decide not to get a puppy/dog.

 I also make sure I don't exercise my adults right before I have visitors; I want them to see the FULL meaning of "working line GSD." I don't want my dogs acting like angels; I want these people to love them for what they really are, and not get one hoping it'll be what they want. I would rather have them pleasantly surprised than shocked and horrified 12 hours after they get home. 

I told the guy tonight; if you want to sit on the couch and watch a movie w/a dog, don't get this pup. If you want a dog who will be eating the couch while you sit on it and watch a movie, then by all means, buy this pup. ;-)

Nice one Jenni.

I had a couple here last year, not your usual puppy visitors (you know they are wearing torn jeans, sneakers and old T-shirt) . Dressed beautiful they were, nice shoes and winter coats.
Of course in no time at all they had 7 eight week old demons hanging off the coats and un tying thier shoes.

I think they stuck it for all of 2 minutes before they wanted letting out, Haha I still laugh when I think of them, I told them to go and buy elsewhere or get a Cocker Spaniel.

 I'm always happier w/those people than the ones whose egos get in the way of their intelligence and they insist they DO want it.....when really, they don't. 

DOGshome9:

How about a   pink pig instead??

Love that pink pig, I am sure none of my girls would know that it is not a GSD puppy.

Too cute,

It never ceases to amaze me how many breeders today are selling puppies that require a PH,D to manage successfully. Years ago "regular" people bought German Shepherds, and they made adjustments to their situations routinely. Today people are breeding dogs with incredible nervousness, shynesss, insecurites, hyperactivity, and shy-sharpness. This is coming from "reputable" breeders in most cases, and these genetic based behavoirs are very difficult for the average Joe to manage. But why should they" ....where's the responsibility of the breeder???? But then the breeders form an Amen support group; of how the new owners didn't have 30 hours of seminar time in owning a puppy, and then somebody "yelled" at the puppy god forbid, now the puppy is traumatized and the Amen section chimes in and the integrity of the breeder remains intact in that pathectic circle.....AGH!!!
Dog rearing for a sound nerved dog is as routine as raising kids....not for the ones with non breed standard issues???????who's fault is it really?????

The average pet buyer is also a much busier person then the people of yesteryear. Instead of a stay at home mom everyone in the house works, which leaves little time for proper puppy raising. Dogs used to go everywhere with their owners, now they sit at home.

It is not just breeders, but joe public as well. People don't have time or can't make time.

Jen, I love your couch bit!!!! Hope you don't mind if I use it one day. LOL

Melissa

 Gustav, you've got 90% of it covered. Today's sport bred dog is often not a good pet, and it's not the family buyer's problem; it's the breeder's fault for breeding for points and ego instead of genetic stability and soundness. I don't care how "driven" a dog is- it should have the mental clarity and reasoning capability to decipher appropriate reaction to normal stimulus from inappropriate. 

BUT- the problem I have to address with  people is that the dogs I breed are not Golden Retrievers. They are either used to sport-only bred dogs who bite anything that moves, or used to Basset Hounds or something. They think the energy is what I'm warning them about, and it's not. Today's society has an attitude that no dog should bite for any reason, and everyone is looking to sue everyone. Do you know how many times I hear "I can't have a dog like that" when I simply tell them that the dog may become very protective and aloof and/or aggressive to threatening strangers???? Boggles my mind. This is the same crowd that takes zero responsibility for their children, incidentally. 

Gustav, good points. The higher the drive(s) the better....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il2_SHS9B7Y