I have always wanted a protective breed and have been looking at GSD puppies for a little over a year but my wife was adamant about not having 2 dogs. Well, our 12-year-old mix breed passed due to liver cancer quite suddenly and the rest of the family was ready to fill that void although my wife is hesitant and said she didn't want to deal with a puppy as she has other life changing stress. I did not like not having a dog in the house so my looking never stopped. I came across this ad of a 3-year-old pure black GSD the add described him as needy and hyper. Long story short the ad was placed by a lady who took him in so he would not go to the pound by the original owners, who I was able to meet and discuss his background with. It seems they have his mother, father, and a sister. They were not as accepting of him and pushed him around a bit. I believe he was the runt and had to be hand fed and cared for differently than the rest of the litter. The family seemed to try to find a place for him in the household and it just didn't work out. He was recently nurtured and has been in now 4 different homes in the last month. Overall, he seems to have some good base training that needs to be refreshed and enforced. He has yet to really take a command from me and I have not pushed it as we both are still building trust. Training starts Thursday night with the whole family.
For the bad, he has separation anxiety. We are putting him in his crate when we leave as that was his previous routine until he learns our schedule and we trust him in the house or back yard.
The kids 6 and 2, 98% of the time he is great with them but from reading here he gets mouthy with them when what I feel is he wants to play and that needs to stop quick.
He needs to bond with my wife. He has suddenly turned and barked at me a couple time since I picked him up on Friday. no lunging just barking and no growling either. Today she is alone with him more so I'm hoping he starts to accept her more but has turned to bark at her a few times since they have been alone togeather.
He is also super skinny and needs some bulking up. The last owner only fed him once a day. I have made sure he has food in his bowl all the time poor guy is just stressed.
I will be reading the forum as much as I can to try and not ask all the new guy questions but feel free to give any advice that you have.
For the bad, he has separation anxiety. We are putting him in his crate when we leave as that was his previous routine until he learns our schedule and we trust him in the house or back yard.
The kids 6 and 2, 98% of the time he is great with them but from reading here he gets mouthy with them when what I feel is he wants to play and that needs to stop quick.
He needs to bond with my wife. He has suddenly turned and barked at me a couple time since I picked him up on Friday. no lunging just barking and no growling either. Today she is alone with him more so I'm hoping he starts to accept her more but has turned to bark at her a few times since they have been alone togeather.
He is also super skinny and needs some bulking up. The last owner only fed him once a day. I have made sure he has food in his bowl all the time poor guy is just stressed.
I will be reading the forum as much as I can to try and not ask all the new guy questions but feel free to give any advice that you have.