is 6 -7 Month GSD too old to bring home

Palmist · 11-24-2011, 04:52 PM

Hi Guys,

I don't have the time to supervise a small 8 weeks old pup 24/7 so I wanted to bring home a slightly older dog, around 5- 6 months. We went to see this handsome GSD yesterday and were quite taken aback by the sheer size, he was almost as big as a full grown adult. He was quite friendly and started play fighting with me straight away and was very attentive when I was talking to him. He was a strong fella and to be perfectly honest I was just a tad scared. My GF was too scared and said she wouldn't want to be left alone with him.

At first I thought may be the guy lied about his age but looking at forums, it seems that GSDs do reach a big size by 6 months or so.

Are we much better looking for someone a bit younger, may be 3 months or shall we go back for 6 month old Jake. I am still thinking about him, it was the way we were looking at each other, I could sense a connection straight away.

Emoore · 11-24-2011, 04:55 PM

If you were a tad bit scared and your girlfriend was scared and wouldn't want to be left alone with him, you should not get the dog. He'll be running things at your house in another month or two.

That said, IF the dog was trained and socialized by the person who had him, no 6 or 7 months is not too old to adopt. If the dog doesn't generally leave the property and hasn't had any training then I wouldn't want to adopt him.

Is the dog at a rescue or breeder or someone who owned him but can't keep him?

RocketDog · 11-24-2011, 04:57 PM

Who is he with now? Why are they re-homing him?

I think you're fine, if what Emoore says is true--you'd still have to do much training, as even if he's been trained consistently, many dogs go through a regression period as adolescents, which he is. Playfighting does NOT mean he's scary or aggressive. It just means he needs to learn to be invited to play and depending on your personal opinion, without/with his mouth.

Have you had dogs before? Done/gone through training?

**JakodaCD OA** · 11-24-2011, 04:57 PM

First I have to say, if you was a 'tad scared' and your GF was really scared of him, I don't think it's a good idea to get him , tho he sounds like a nice dog who's just a big puppy with alot of energy.

Unless you are BOTH comfortable with a dog, whether it's older or a puppy it's not a good idea to get one.

Even a smaller puppy is going to get BIG, but I understand your desire to get something a little older.

How about checking out a rescue in your area for something that 's a little more 'settled' not as intimidating?

A 3 month old is going to most likely be a little biting machine but in a smaller package.

I guess I'm kinda not getting exactly what 'scared' your girlfriend? The size? the way he acted?? All that energy??

**JakodaCD OA** · 11-24-2011, 04:58 PM

Emoore we are posting on the same wave length

)

Palmist · 11-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketDog

Who is he with now? Why are they re-homing him?

I think you're fine, if what Emoore says is true--you'd still have to do much training, as even if he's been trained consistently, many dogs go through a regression period as adolescents, which he is. Playfighting does NOT mean he's scary or aggressive. It just means he needs to learn to be invited to play and depending on your personal opinion, without/with his mouth.

Have you had dogs before? Done/gone through training?

I had a great 15 mins play fighting with him, once I was over his size [GF was waiting in another room]. I took charge and asked him to sit as well which he followed for a few seconds and was constantly looking at me as if asking what to do next and when are we going to play outside. I could so see it in his eyes.

We wouldn't have been that scared had we raised a pup from 8 weeks or so and I can see why she was more scared. It was just the sheer size, energy and strength of the dog.

Yes I have had dogs before, Golden Retrievers who have always been a bit too energetic but never in a threatening way.

This dog is living in a small apartment and the owners daughter has developed an allergy to dog or so he says. That's their reason of rehoming him. My local rescue centres have dogs a bit too old.

Emoore · 11-24-2011, 05:07 PM

How big is this dog? You've got me curious!

Palmist · 11-24-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

First I have to say, if you was a 'tad scared' and your GF was really scared of him, I don't think it's a good idea to get him , tho he sounds like a nice dog who's just a big puppy with alot of energy.

Unless you are BOTH comfortable with a dog, whether it's older or a puppy it's not a good idea to get one.

Even a smaller puppy is going to get BIG, but I understand your desire to get something a little older.

How about checking out a rescue in your area for something that 's a little more 'settled' not as intimidating?

A 3 month old is going to most likely be a little biting machine but in a smaller package.

I guess I'm kinda not getting exactly what 'scared' your girlfriend? The size? the way he acted?? All that energy??

I guess it was the size and all that energy and also the fact that she won't be able to physically control in case he decides to go his own way while walking etc.

Having said, I would probably struggle as well but atleast I have some experience with dogs and I understand them a lot better than her.

My first impression was that he was one of the parents lol when they told me he is the puppy. He is a strong lad and seems to be living in a family with kids and a cat.

Palmist · 11-24-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

How big is this dog? You've got me curious!

I didn't measured his height but when he was on his hind legs, he could see me straight in the eyes and lick my face. I am 5'10" ; that should give you some idea.

I double checked and they said he is 6 months. We were arguing about buying a small or medium collar, this fella is definitely extra large.

RocketDog · 11-24-2011, 05:12 PM

Hmm.. it's hard to say about the real reason. Many dogs get rehomed during adolescence because of natural behaviors, and unwillingness (and unpreparedness) on the owners part to train and work through it. Kinda like teenagers,

I've adopted older dogs--once even at 2 years. Believe me--you can DEFINITELY still bond incredibly close to an older dog. The rescues will be able to help you far more than anyone else, don't necessarily count them out. In fact, I dare say, some rescue dogs are even more bonded to you because they know where they were, and where they are now is so much better.

Emoore and Jakoda had excellent insight, consider it carefully.

You might ask the owners more questions about what kind of socialization and training the pup has had. Listen carefully and read between the lines. Good luck.

11-24-2011, 04:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Palmist Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: England Posts: 40	is 6 -7 Month GSD too old to bring home Hi Guys, I don't have the time to supervise a small 8 weeks old pup 24/7 so I wanted to bring home a slightly older dog, around 5- 6 months. We went to see this handsome GSD yesterday and were quite taken aback by the sheer size, he was almost as big as a full grown adult. He was quite friendly and started play fighting with me straight away and was very attentive when I was talking to him. He was a strong fella and to be perfectly honest I was just a tad scared. My GF was too scared and said she wouldn't want to be left alone with him. At first I thought may be the guy lied about his age but looking at forums, it seems that GSDs do reach a big size by 6 months or so. Are we much better looking for someone a bit younger, may be 3 months or shall we go back for 6 month old Jake. I am still thinking about him, it was the way we were looking at each other, I could sense a connection straight away.

11-24-2011, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	If you were a tad bit scared and your girlfriend was scared and wouldn't want to be left alone with him, you should not get the dog. He'll be running things at your house in another month or two. That said, IF the dog was trained and socialized by the person who had him, no 6 or 7 months is not too old to adopt. If the dog doesn't generally leave the property and hasn't had any training then I wouldn't want to adopt him. Is the dog at a rescue or breeder or someone who owned him but can't keep him? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-24-2011, 04:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	First I have to say, if you was a 'tad scared' and your GF was really scared of him, I don't think it's a good idea to get him , tho he sounds like a nice dog who's just a big puppy with alot of energy. Unless you are BOTH comfortable with a dog, whether it's older or a puppy it's not a good idea to get one. Even a smaller puppy is going to get BIG, but I understand your desire to get something a little older. How about checking out a rescue in your area for something that 's a little more 'settled' not as intimidating? A 3 month old is going to most likely be a little biting machine but in a smaller package. I guess I'm kinda not getting exactly what 'scared' your girlfriend? The size? the way he acted?? All that energy?? __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

11-24-2011, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	Emoore we are posting on the same wave length) __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

11-24-2011, 05:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	How big is this dog? You've got me curious! __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-24-2011, 04:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,267	Who is he with now? Why are they re-homing him? I think you're fine, if what Emoore says is true--you'd still have to do much training, as even if he's been trained consistently, many dogs go through a regression period as adolescents, which he is. Playfighting does NOT mean he's scary or aggressive. It just means he needs to learn to be invited to play and depending on your personal opinion, without/with his mouth. Have you had dogs before? Done/gone through training?

11-24-2011, 05:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,267	Hmm.. it's hard to say about the real reason. Many dogs get rehomed during adolescence because of natural behaviors, and unwillingness (and unpreparedness) on the owners part to train and work through it. Kinda like teenagers, I've adopted older dogs--once even at 2 years. Believe me--you can DEFINITELY still bond incredibly close to an older dog. The rescues will be able to help you far more than anyone else, don't necessarily count them out. In fact, I dare say, some rescue dogs are even more bonded to you because they know where they were, and where they are now is so much better. Emoore and Jakoda had excellent insight, consider it carefully. You might ask the owners more questions about what kind of socialization and training the pup has had. Listen carefully and read between the lines. Good luck.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement