Hi everyone, I'm Keith. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting to join this site. My first memory is playing with my Reject. My mom used to train horses for the Boston P.D in the late 80's, and while out in the woods one day she found a basket full of GSD puppies with their dead mama. She buried the mom and took the puppies home, finding homes for all except one goofy boy, hence Reject. I was born when he was 1, and I still hear stories how he would guard my crib from anyone except my mom. He never left my side growing up and I'll never forget him. At 6 years his hip went out, after surgery his other hip went, and my mom had to put him down. I still get choked up about it. He was my guardian and my bestfriend.
Despite continious requests for a GSD my entire life, my family preferred Springer Spaniels. Ugh. Not my ideal companion. I've also had a Boxer, and a Boston Terrier, but always knew what kind of dog I needed. Last week my girlfriend and I visited our local animal shelter, and fell in love. Brownie is 10 and apparently was a family dog until the family lost their home and gave her up for adoption. This broke our hearts, and with some sweet-talking she came home with us on tuesday. She has been amazing despite some predatory behavior towards my girlfriends cat so the two are seperated, and we are taking steps to socialize them but I am in no rush. The only complaint I have is in the realm of affection. She obeys my commands, is very good on walks ( we had an unpleasent confrontation with a territorial jack russell, and a nippy cockerspaniel. She responded instantly to me, and we calmly walked away. I feed her twice a day, I take her on a few 10-15 min walks or light jogs. We've encountered birds, bunnies, and boys throwing balls and she stays focused. I am consistent and confident with her, but my girlfriend gets 70% of her affection. I'm trying to identify any of my behaviors that caused this. Melissa was the one to pick her up from the shelter, and spent two whole days with her while I've had to work. I just want to get some tips on how to shorten the delay between dog kisses and a wiggly tail. She is a very mellow girl so I don't expect puppy love, but I see what I'm missing out on when Melissa comes home. It has only been four days too, so maybe she just needs time. Any advice would be appreciated!! I expect to be here for a very long time, since I can't see myself with any other breed.
Despite continious requests for a GSD my entire life, my family preferred Springer Spaniels. Ugh. Not my ideal companion. I've also had a Boxer, and a Boston Terrier, but always knew what kind of dog I needed. Last week my girlfriend and I visited our local animal shelter, and fell in love. Brownie is 10 and apparently was a family dog until the family lost their home and gave her up for adoption. This broke our hearts, and with some sweet-talking she came home with us on tuesday. She has been amazing despite some predatory behavior towards my girlfriends cat so the two are seperated, and we are taking steps to socialize them but I am in no rush. The only complaint I have is in the realm of affection. She obeys my commands, is very good on walks ( we had an unpleasent confrontation with a territorial jack russell, and a nippy cockerspaniel. She responded instantly to me, and we calmly walked away. I feed her twice a day, I take her on a few 10-15 min walks or light jogs. We've encountered birds, bunnies, and boys throwing balls and she stays focused. I am consistent and confident with her, but my girlfriend gets 70% of her affection. I'm trying to identify any of my behaviors that caused this. Melissa was the one to pick her up from the shelter, and spent two whole days with her while I've had to work. I just want to get some tips on how to shorten the delay between dog kisses and a wiggly tail. She is a very mellow girl so I don't expect puppy love, but I see what I'm missing out on when Melissa comes home. It has only been four days too, so maybe she just needs time. Any advice would be appreciated!! I expect to be here for a very long time, since I can't see myself with any other breed.