What Have I Done!

[toydogs]

Thanks Guys and Girls.

Yes the web can be a wonderful place, especially on a forum such as this where you have many like minded individuals sharing the same values of owning and having a dog or new family member as I like to call Samantha.

"what have I done" was not in any way saying that I had any regrets in getting Sam at all. I have had puppies when I was a child and fully expected what is required. I think my wife and kids thought that it would be 'easier'. In saying that Sam is already learning very fast, is already toilet trained, sits and comes on command, ALL in 1 week!! Sam is a very happy and smart puppy, I am blessed for that.

The only "issue" we have at the moment is the play biting. She responds to the "NO" command about 50% of the time, so it is improving. I really want to fix that problem, as she doesnt realise just how sharp those little teeth are! Boy do they hurt.

We gave her a raw bone to chew on yesterday which she loved. Today I got her a chicken frame(raw) which she absolutely enjoyed!

We are all really looking forward to puppy school, cant wait.

Rob

Hi, I am reading some of the responses particularly the ones that say, rehome the puppy. I disagree. While i would really think twice about finding a home for my puppies where the whole family are not committed, I did have a family member that was terrified of dogs becasue they'd had a bad experience just like your wife. now a few years on, they absolutely idolise that puppy (now an 8 year old dog), that i gave them, she looks after it like a child! My Grandmother was even scared of little chihuahuas would you believe.

so family members can change over time my grandmother is testament to that. the fact that the kids and your wife liked well behaved adult dogs is a good indication that they will come around in time. your puppy will not be a puppy forever you have to remember that and she will grow into a well behaved socialised girl if you keep up the good work, reading what you are doing with her is very very good going.

Edited July 3, 2008 by toydogs

[anthony mazzeri]

If noone's mentioned it before, leerburg.com is a site you may want to peruse. Especially this page as a DVD is something your family can sit down together to watch and know what to expect and do.

[JulesP]

I was always the animal person, my husband wasn't. I got dogs, cats & horses! Apart from feeding them if I was away the husband did nothing with the dogs or other animals. They were my animals. And I work full time in a management job. So I am not sure why your wife should have to do anything with the puppy that you wanted. Different if she wants to of course.

[Amerykus]

This might sound silly but have you tried putting Aerogard on so she won't like the taste and it may help curb the biting.

I tryed this trick with my guys ear tape.... It didnt stop them !

[Siobhan]

I have a 5 month old GSD bitch. We too were worried about taking her to dog training before she'd had all her vaccinations. But we took her to puppy pre-school at the local vet (you can be sure she won't pick anything up from a vet surgery). I can't recommend this highly enough. We had our puppy from 6 weeks, and we enrolled her the day we picked her up. I suggest you take your wife and kids with you. That way they can learn about care and training of the puppy from an expert, rather than just you! The trainer will teach you all sorts of things, from nutrition to avoiding onset of problem behaviour. In Victoria (and I'm sure it's the same in NSW) pretty much all vet clinics have one of these programs - I suggest you get in to one as soon as possible.

I also suggest you start taking her for short walks. We walked ours from about 7 weeks. As our trainer said - she is as likely to pick up something from dirt you've tracked in on your shoes, as she is from going around the block on a walk. We obviously monitored what dogs she came into contact with (ie no strange dogs, only ones we knew - we picked her up if any strange dog was off the lead), but it gets rid of the excess energy. Maybe then she will be calm enough for your children to pat.

I wish you all the luck in the world - German Shepherds are an absolute delight - even the puppies

[Kavik]

Actually about the vet surgery - where do people bring sick dogs - to the vet . . . although they do disinfect there is a larger volume of sick dogs at the vet than anywhere else.

ETA: The only dog of mine I took to puppy preschool is the only one that ended up with dog aggression problems. Not necessarily related.

Edited July 4, 2008 by Kavik

[Amerykus]

Actually about the vet surgery - where do people bring sick dogs - to the vet . . . although they do disinfect there is a larger volume of sick dogs at the vet than anywhere else.

ETA: The only dog of mine I took to puppy preschool is the only one that ended up with dog aggression problems. Not necessarily related.

We never took our guys to puppy pre school we just socialised them very well we took them everywhere with us whether it was to go shopping in town just walking past ppl and all types of noises to going to agility clubs and mixing with other dogs and none of our guys have had issues.

So I surpose its all up to you which way you want to go.

Best of luck

[Hounder]

So how did training go yesterday? I hope all went well