need advice on 5 mo. old GSD - Page 6

Volball, I'm the idiot who can't seem to wrap my head around how  it's cost you HUNDREDS of dollars to tape an ear. And no, I don't tape ears; I start w/genetically correct ears and I feed appropriate foods and they stand and stay standing, sometimes from 4 weeks on. However, I do have some secondhand experience in taping and have taped other breeds' cropped ears, but try as I might, I don't know how you've spent that much money.

to Sitasmom,
is it ok to tape just one ear? Do I need to support the floppy one up by anchoring it to the other ear?

Knuckle bones. Raw, or the kind they sell in the pet store?

toothfairy:  I live in Gulfport and it sounds like your pup and mine are littermates.  Thank you for posting the information that you've learned because I have been asked about my little one, Max, by several concerned folks at the dog parks in the past several weeks.  Max and Baron walk very similar, and I've had mine on the same Large Breed Puppy formula from Diamond Naturals, but recently switched to Nutro Ultra.  I'll be transitioning him to an adult formula for sure, and I definitely want to get him out swimming (we've only been twice so far, once to Ft. De Soto and once in a friend's pool).  I was considering xrays - even talked to the vet late last week about it - but now I'm sure that Max is ok and has similar structure to yours, though Max's ears have been up strong since the moment I got him in June!  Other than the strange walk and accelerated growth, I think the Boyungs produce beautiful dogs -- I've certainly gotten lots of compliments on Max's markings and build, and his personality and disposition are second to none!  Perhaps we can get ours together to play at some point?

Hi supercharged,
I'd love to make a playdate with Max & Baron.
We can meet at Ft. Desoto, maybe. I'm off work Sat., Sun., and Mondays. PM me and we'll exchange phone numbers. I got Baron in June, also. I'm sure they're brothers.
***UPDATE***
Baron is getting stronger, with the swimming and sand walking. He LOVES to go to the dog park and is 'Mr. Personality' with all the other big dogs. My 8yo. GSD, Cody, follows him around like a babysitter. It's the funniest thing ever!
Baron will be fine and again, a HUGE thanks to everyone here who offered advice and encouragement for us.
THANK YOU!!!
toothfairy51

I believe it is not the high protein percentage in food that causes too rapid growth.

It is the amount of food that you fed a GSD pup that determines the rate of growth. Needless to say , a GSD pup has to be fed correctly measured portions, never free choice. Follow the ideal growth chart.

The other thing is calcium. It may be wise to choose a food that has less calcium, say 1 to 1.2 percent calcium.

I never use "large breed" puppy food. Pointless. Just feed the correct amount of a high quality food for the target growth rate.