New GSD owner - Page 1

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by Bear carlo on 05 April 2010 - 20:04

Hi all,
I am a new gsd owner. I can see there are some very knowledgeable people on this site so I'm just asking for some useful info really. I have a 5 month old boy, who is a bit of a devil. He goes to training classes and walks daily buts still his a handful. I understand the dogs are going to be as they are high energy and I've discussed the food his on (pro plan for puppies) with Purina reps at crufts so I'm hoping everything I'm doing for him is in his best interests.

Now for my real point. I have no intention of ever showing my little boy but I'm a little concerned with all the talk about straight and banana backs on this site. I have placed a picture on this site and was wondering if people could comment on if he looks ok. I appreciate there are two different views but I'm only concerned about his health and wellbeing not about if people like the way he looks.
He has been to the vets for checks, jabs etc etc and he has never said anything about his shape.

Oh he is five months and I'm thinking of getting another. I've been advised that a girl would be better than another boy as they will get on better, is that so? and is now the right age for Bear to have a sister?

Thanks in advance

Harry.

by missbeeb on 05 April 2010 - 20:04

Welcome aboard, Harry!

by GSDUK on 05 April 2010 - 21:04

Hi Harry,

Couple of things...

Purina will no doubt have advised you to stick with their puppy food? This will help them with their sales. Are you a member of a local GSD club? Speak with someone there that is knowledgeable for advice on what to feed your boy.

Personally, although no doubt many will not agree, I do not feed puppy food once the pup has gone through the first bag or two of it after I get them home. I do not believe that the higher protein in the puppy foods does them any good. Just my opinion and how I do things.

Bit tricky to see your boy properly in that stance and is he stood facing down a slope? Looks that way looking at the ground or is it the angle you took the picture at?

Forgive me if I am wrong but post reads like you are new to owning a GSD? If this is the case, I would strongly advise that you do not get another at least until your boy is 12-18 months of age and you have mastered the basics with him and got him to bond with you before you introduce a playmate for him to "bond" with.

I see many people with dogs that were brought together as babies (which your boy still is) and the dogs bonded so closely with one another that they pay scant attention to the inexperienced owner.

Best Regards

Dave

by Wildmoor on 05 April 2010 - 21:04

Hi Harry,
I agree with Dave wait until he is older and obedient before you get another dog, regarding what sex you get will depend on several issues, if the dog is not used for breeding you may find it easier getting another male. I prefer males and have kept upto to 4 entire mmales together without problems. I find males more responsive, cleaner and more forgiving if there is a dispute.
Pam

by Bear carlo on 05 April 2010 - 21:04

Thank you all for your advice so far. As for our bond its fantastic. I can walk him off the lead and have done since day dot. He is so responsive and follows me everywhere with the click of my fingers. He never runs off and if he does a simple call and he'll come trooting back.
However, Dave your right I'm a new GSD owner had several others but not a GSD. So your advice will be pondered upon and I shall certainly not rush into getting another straight away without lots of consideration.

H

by Archania on 06 April 2010 - 08:04

What is his pedigree ?

I think he is a little cracker !

Sorry i can't give an opinion on show or confirmation, but i like what i see !

by bazza on 06 April 2010 - 10:04

Welcome Bear Carlo. I agree with the advise already given, especially the puppy food, I always got mine onto an adult food as soon as. As to what food would be best, that's a mine field there are so many now. Find a good quality one and stick with it, he looks like a very handsome healthy boy. Is his pedigree listed here? Good luck with him.

by GSDUK on 06 April 2010 - 14:04

Hi again Harry,

Sorry for the delay in my intended further reply.....bit busy at work and only just managed to grab a minute to log in and comment further in the hope of assisting you...

At the age of 5 months, your boy will naturally stay close to you and not wander too far away from you. This is an instinctive need to stay within close reach of safety. As you have started to train the recall already, it is a perfect opportunity to get it 100% solid before he gets his first rush of testosterone and starts to think about wandering a bit further away from you exploring his surroundings. If you start to notice him being a little slower to come back in the next few weeks or months, the first time he does so, pop him straight back on a lead and do some happy recall training on the lead/long line to overcome the wander lust. If you can keep it 100% through the testosterone rushes trashing his brain then you will always have 100% recall. When they ignore you and find out you cannot do anything from right over there, that is when you teach them unwittingly that they can get away with it and that is where the problems start with recall.

Get as much of the basics in now while he is 5-12 months....After that, it's just tidying up. Right now his brain is capable of algebra and he is wide open like a sponge in water to training. As with anything though....he learns what he is taught...If you ensure that you teach everything right and reward him for doing it right, it will always be right.
If you inadvertently teach him that something that is wrong is right, then you set yourself the challenge of retraining later.

Good luck with your boy

Best Regards

Dave

by Bear carlo on 06 April 2010 - 17:04

Dave,
Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to putting it all into practice with him. Very much appreciated.

As for two people who asked about his pedigree! I'm really sorry i don't know exactly what you mean. I know his a germanic German sheperd if thats what you mean?

Regards,

H

by VomMarischal on 06 April 2010 - 17:04

No, they are asking for the dog's registered name, and the registered names of his parents. That way they can see what bloodlines he comes from, assuming the dogs are all on pedigree database.

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