Help to prepare for my first GSD pup - Page 1

Hi All:

So after all the reasearch and talking to several breeders, I am finally getting my first GSD pup this summer.  I really wanted to get the pup early summer, but it seems that I will get the pup sometimes in mid September.  This will be a Janos von der Noriswand son.  I plan to join a schznd club and train my dog through different levels.  I would appreciate some help while I prepare to welcome my pup.

1.  I have a fenced backyard but on 2 sides the fence height is only 5'.  Do you think this is too short and I should get it extended ?  If so what should be the ideal height ?

2.  I have also made a dog run with a gate where I will leave the dog in the morning.  Dog will be inside the house with the family in the evening.  I plan to build or buy a dog house.  Can you direct me to the right direction to buy the appropriate dog house or instructions to build one ?

Thanks for all your help.

Mastan

The fence should be okay for now since he's a puppy. If you find that he becomes an enthusiastic jumper, then you might want to extend the fence 1 or 2 feet.

I think those igloo-shaped dog houses should work pretty good, because they have the sleeping portion curved away from the door so the wind doesn't blow directly on the dog. You probably want to put a dog bed in the dog house of course.

Hey, what with all the stressful stuff on the board the last few days, I just want to thank you for reminding me what it's all about.  You are getting your first GSD.  That's so cool.  I remember my first one,  welcome to a lifetime addiction!  Really glad to hear you are planning to join a schutzhund club.  I suggest you get a jump on scoping out  the clubs in your area (if you haven't already), in order to find the one that works for you.  As far as the height of your backyard fence, I wouldn't want to keep it at 5 foot for long, most GSD's can jump high enough to lock paws over the top of even a 6ft fence  from a stand still & from there it's an easy climb up & over!  

Sorry, can't help on the dog house, as I have no clue!

Anyhow, thanks again for putting things back into proper perspective, even if that wasn't your intention!   I look forward to hearing about your adventures with your new dog in the not too distant future.

Igloo doghouses are wonderful. BUT, be sure to spend the extra dollars to get the big, heavy Indigo Igloo. It's the one with the long neck entrance. They are heavier and far more protective than the lighter model. I have 2 Indigos that are 10 years old and in perfect condition. I also have 1 of the lighter model that is less than a year old and is already breaking at a joint.

I particularly like these dog houses because I can wash and sanitize them over and over.

My dog yard fencing is 5' high and no dog has ever jumped out. My kennels are 6', sit on concrete, and are totally escape proof. More than height, is the issue of DIGGING.!!! You need to do something like BIG rocks at the base of fencing that is sitting on dirt.

Best of luck with the puppy!!!

Good luck with your pup.  If I may make a suggestion, try to get your hands on Ian Dunbar's tape on training puppies.  I found it in my local library.  It is great.

Think of your neighbors when thinking of your kennel to make sure that where you put your kennel area will be noise proof to the world outside as far as possible.  My dogs like to bark at squirrels for example and I wound up keeping my dogs indoors.  Mostly because I don't want trouble with the neighbors. . . don't want really anyone to know I have dogs, although they do know. LOL. 

I don't know where you are but in this part of the world, it is not unheard of that puppies are stolen so make sure no unwanted guests can get a hold of your precious pup while in an enclosure outside.  

I wish you the best of luck with all the joy that is about to come your way.  May you find lots of experienced people to help you on your way. 

Hi All:

Thanks for the response and advice. 

Ranchinglady: I have concrete in the dogrun, so there is no possibility of digging.  Please let me know where to get the igloo doghouses that you mentioned in your post.

Sunshine:  Thats a very good point that you brought up...think about the neighbours.   I hope my dog does not end up barking a lot, in that case I need to keep him indoors.  But since in the day time I will be at work, I would prefer to keep him in the backyard.

Sueincc:  I live in California Bay area and I am planning to join the menlo park schznd club.  I am getting my dog from Randy Tyson and she has been very helpful in educating me about the GSD breed.

Thanks

Mastan

Hi Mastan,

Just wanted to say congrats and good luck with your first puppy. I can't offer any advice as I am new too but hope you get a wonderful dog and have a blast with him.

Kindly, Stacy

Mastan,

Look at some of the German Kennels and websites.  (Hopefully someone will add websites.)  As far as I am concerned, you are getting a dog from one of the most MOST respected breeders in this country.  If you are absolutely realistic, most dogs just kind of hum along during the day and wait until their owners come home. If you can find someone during the day that can eleviate the boredom and play with the pup for some 15 minutes, you will greatly relieve alot of stress from the pup.  It is terribly lonely to be out there from anywhere from 6-12 hours.  Try to make sure that outside stimuli is blocked off from view as far as possible.  Squirrels are daunting animals, and they know when the dogs are contained and start marching right in front of them doing their squirrel dance.  LOL. 

Sunshine:

Thanks for the advice.  I will also try to get hold of the training video that you mentioned.  I have been very impressed with Randy Tyson and she has a wealth of knowledge about the GSD breed.  Since I have known her, both me and my wife have visited her club for all the schznd events.  we have also spent quite some time with her to discuss our lifestyle and also what we are looking for in our GSD.  She has promised to pick the right male pup for me.  She just bred her female to janos von der Noriswand and I am really looking forward for this pup.

Thanks

Mastan