First GSD So Any Tips?

[mred]

Hello,

We are getting a 2 year old GSD tomorrow although I am allergic to animal dander (She won the battle..LOL). I saw alot on new puppies but not much about first time ownership of an older GSD. Any insight to shorter our learning curves would be appreciated! Thanks!

[battleborn]

Hi there,

I'm a first time GSD owner too. I did a lot of reading over the 16 years or so that I was planning to get him (which I finally did just this last weekend!).

I recommend a few books...the last two are also very helpful with other dog breeds, but particularly apply to GSD:

German Shepherd Dogs, by David Fritsche

German Shepherd Dogs, by David Fritsche

(Dave is a great guy and really knows about GSDs. I've met him and his dogs and was totally impressed).

The Art of Raising a Puppy, by the Monks of New Skete

The Art of Raising a Puppy, by the Monks of New Skete

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, by the same monks.

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, by the same monks.

They breed GSDs at their monastery

[kiya]

Find a good trainer in your area, preferably one who has/loves GSD's and take some obedience classes.
Learn how to read your new dog Turid Rugaas - Calming Signals Community
This site is a great place to be to learn about living with your new dog, good luck!

[gmcwife1]

Welcome and good luck with your new family member I'm sure she will be worth all the learning you will be doing!

[LifeofRiley]

Welcome!!!

I adopted my dog when he was around the same age! Congrats on your new addition.

Some advice...

Let the dog settle into the routine of your house before introducing a lot of additional stimuli. In other words, focus on building the relationship with you and your family. Provide routine and structure. Once the dog feels comfortable and confident in his new environment - and you have a better understanding of his/her temperament - you can start introducing him/her to the world beyond your family and your home!!!

I have always been impressed with how quickly adopted dogs (especially GSDs) bond with their new caretaker. I say this as someone who has fostered quite a few GSDs. Riley, my current dog, was first a foster and then, well, he found his forever home with me : )

Have fun. It is always exciting to bring in a new family member.

[CT-Mike]

Some practical advice from a long-time GSD owner. Don't leave food on the counter, or you will be trying to catch your pup in the act so that you can properly break her of the habit. Vacuum your house at least daily, unless you like GSD tumbleweeds and stray hairs in your Cqptain Crunch and on your coat collar. Keep suits, woolen peacoats, cashmere sweaters in dry cleaning bags or they will look like they have grown a second coat. Every couple of months vacuum up the shepherd hairs that have migrated to you shoes from your socks. These along with dryer lint and old candle wax and some pistachio shells make good fire starers. Be ready to give up your coach, sofa, love seat, and even your side of the bed. Be fully prepared that your pup will snore, sometimes loud enough to peel paint. Have a chemical warfare gas mask handy because the silent business that comes from that end WILL DEFINITELY peel paint, let alone permanently scare your nasal cavities.

Be ready to experience the most intense loyalty from a dog you can ever imagine, treat her right and she will be your protector (and your family's) for as long as she is physically able. Give her the proper training and you will be able to take her anywhere knowing full well that only those who mean you harm have anything to fear from your companion. Know that with proper training she can be left alone with very young children and guard them from harm.

Read the training books by the monks, read more training books by other folks concerning different training styles, and then read even more training books by others. Armed with the combined knowledge develop the style of training that works for you and your dog, based on what you both want out of your relationship.

[Crkwolf]

Originally Posted by CT-Mike

Some practical advice from a long-time GSD owner. Don't leave food on the counter, or you will be trying to catch your pup in the act so that you can properly break her of the habit. Vacuum your house at least daily, unless you like GSD tumbleweeds and stray hairs in your Cqptain Crunch and on your coat collar. Keep suits, woolen peacoats, cashmere sweaters in dry cleaning bags or they will look like they have grown a second coat. Every couple of months vacuum up the shepherd hairs that have migrated to you shoes from your socks. These along with dryer lint and old candle wax and some pistachio shells make good fire starers. Be ready to give up your coach, sofa, love seat, and even your side of the bed. Be fully prepared that your pup will snore, sometimes loud enough to peel paint. Have a chemical warfare gas mask handy because the silent business that comes from that end WILL DEFINITELY peel paint, let alone permanently scare your nasal cavities.

Be ready to experience the most intense loyalty from a dog you can ever imagine, treat her right and she will be your protector (and your family's) for as long as she is physically able. Give her the proper training and you will be able to take her anywhere knowing full well that only those who mean you harm have anything to fear from your companion. Know that with proper training she can be left alone with very young children and guard them from harm.

OMG, have you been to my house?

[CT-Mike]

Originally Posted by Crkwolf

OMG, have you been to my house?

Nope, but I have a pretty good idea of what every house where a GSD lives looks like.