Well...this wasn't exactly how I planned things to go...

[CRider]

Originally Posted by billsharp

Stunningly handsome dog. How does he do around strangers, kids? My only concern would be that he wasn't socialized sufficiently, or that your wife didn't get the full story and he was returned to the Amish because of problems in a former home. If he is steady nerved and outgoing it sounds like your wife picked a great one!

Well, we had to stop at Petsmart last night to get a collar, leash & food. He had two young kids come galloping up to him and he just loved it. Tail was wagging and he covered them with kisses. He was a little less enthusiastic about the adults, but didn't shy away from them either. Socialization is a big concern for me, so he'll be slowly introduced to as many different people and dogs as possible, as safely as possible. I'm a pretty social person, have folks over to the house all the time, so it's important to me that Guinness be comfortable with this.

Originally Posted by NewbieShepherdGirl

Very nice looking pup! I don't have any advice on Schutzhund (my beautiful girl is most likely backyard bred, and just doesn't have the nerves for it), but I will say that these wonderful dogs will generally like anything that works that big brain. Sasha and I have a blast doing obedience work (not usually through classes, though the one 8 week class we went to was a lot of fun for both of us), so if your boy can't do schutzhund, or if you just decide it isn't for you, there are so many fun things you can do with him that are just as good. Again, cute pup!

Thanks for that...very good points applicable to my situation. I won't be disappointed if schutzhund isn't for him...but if it's something that he'd do well with and really enjoy, then it's worth looking into. If he's happy just doing obedience, playing, and being a family dog, then I'm ok with that too

Originally Posted by msvette2u

He's adorable
But his eye, the right one, seems really red! What's up with that? Allergies?

I think it was just from being so tired (he was used to bedtime being 8pm or so and that was late last night). Today his eyes are clear with no red at all.

Thanks again for all the great advice, very much appreciated!

[Angelina03]

I love your pup. He's super cute. I had a similar situation in getting mine. I had been telling hubby that we couldn't afford a dog, and for months he kept saying he wanted one. He went ahead against my will and got Rocco "for me" for Christmas last year. Needless to say, Rocco is the love of my life. I'm sure yours will be too.


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[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Magwart

Several times in my life, I've had the experience that the "right" dog has a way of finding me, even if I was initially sure it wasn't a dog I wanted at the time...as the reason it came into my life unfolds, I realize what a special blessing it was that it did--and that it had to be this dog and no other. I have a feeling that will happen with you and Guinness.

I agree with the above...

Originally Posted by Stevenzachsmom

Your wife did wrong. You certainly should have had a say over your choice of pup. And from the Amish? I hope she has learned her lesson.

That said....Kudos to you for loving this boy anyway. Sometimes we don't get what we want, but we get what we need. Sounds like Guinness has found a wonderful home. Wishing all of you many happy years together.

I also agree with Jan. As sweet as it was for your wife to clearly want to get you the pup, she should have included you in the decision. I do believe this pup came into your life at the right time and for a reason. He's a pretty thick boned boy from that first picture! My husband just agreeing to letting me get my exact desired pup in the future will be surprise enough for me. If he ever came home with my next pup without a warning... I might slug him and then start loving on the puppy. lol. I wish you the best with your new landshark and cant wait to see more pictures, especially as he grows!

[KZoppa]

This is by far one of the most adorable pictures. This is totally frame worthy.

[llombardo]

He is beautiful. There are three of us in my family. I found mine and 2 of us jumped in the car to see her. The 3rd one figured out what we were doing, because I didn't exit out on the internet. We get there, we see her, and she is very attached to the woman. The person with me is ready to walk away, so we could discuss it...I felt that a conversation wasn't needed and 1 year later I couldn't be happier. Enjoy your dog, you will find that the more you put into him, the happier everyone will be.

[onyx'girl]

Congrats on your new pup! You need to change your signature now!
My husband got Onyx much the same way Guinness came to you. Had I known, I never would have chosen the breeder he supported, but she made me learn so much about behavior and training.
The second pic of your pup lying down....his eye looks really red, is it just the shot or is there some irritation going on?

I don't do Schutzhund...but its because of the time thing. The closest club to me is about an hour away. So every Sunday I would be driving there an hour and back an hour. On top of that, you're probably going to be there all day because its not just a "train my dog and leave" type of thing. You stay around, learn from more experienced people, help where you can, ect. Then throughout the week you need to work on things at home (not crazy time commitment, but could be if you decide you want to trial and get as many points as possible). Someone else can tell you about the exact time requirements but I've done some tracking work and even a short track takes about 30 minutes to lay down (and imagine doing that on a weekday).

I was extremely interested when I got my dog, but realized I didn't want to or have the time to commit to this. It does become a hobby and I applaud the people that do it. I have my own hobbies that at this point in my life are a little more important to me than Schutzhund, and at the end of the day that is probably what keeps me from doing it (I like my 18 holes on a Sunday).

The closer the training area is to your home, the better though. But make sure you get a lot of references on the instructors and the helpers. I've heard from more than a few people that there are some you want to work with, and other you shouldn't even let look at your dog.

Most clubs are at least an hour drive...you luck out if you don't have to travel far! I personally could go to a club 45 minutes away, but don't want bad training! No training is better than bad, and I agree, make sure who you train with is not going to create problems that will be harder to fix.
So I travel almost 2 hours for better training, which in the past year, we've had to fix some problems that I caused early on with the more "local" group.

[CRider]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

I agree with the above...

I also agree with Jan. As sweet as it was for your wife to clearly want to get you the pup, she should have included you in the decision. I do believe this pup came into your life at the right time and for a reason. He's a pretty thick boned boy from that first picture! My husband just agreeing to letting me get my exact desired pup in the future will be surprise enough for me. If he ever came home with my next pup without a warning... I might slug him and then start loving on the puppy. lol. I wish you the best with your new landshark and cant wait to see more pictures, especially as he grows!

Yeah. I gotta admit, between spending all day with Guinness, and all the positive comments here, I really feel much better about how we got him. It's definitely a learning experience for sure!

Originally Posted by KZoppa

This is by far one of the most adorable pictures. This is totally frame worthy.

Yeah...these two are getting along great. My son is 9, and his & his mom's (my ex-wife) Golden Retriever, Lucy, had to be put down earlier this year due to cancer. He really misses Lucy, so this is a huge and positive thing for him.

Originally Posted by llombardo

He is beautiful. There are three of us in my family. I found mine and 2 of us jumped in the car to see her. The 3rd one figured out what we were doing, because I didn't exit out on the internet. We get there, we see her, and she is very attached to the woman. The person with me is ready to walk away, so we could discuss it...I felt that a conversation wasn't needed and 1 year later I couldn't be happier. Enjoy your dog, you will find that the more you put into him, the happier everyone will be.

I think everyone's right...maybe this was just fate/karma/etc.

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Congrats on your new pup! You need to change your signature now!
My husband got Onyx much the same way Guinness came to you. Had I known, I never would have chosen the breeder he supported, but she made me learn so much about behavior and training.
The second pic of your pup lying down....his eye looks really red, is it just the shot or is there some irritation going on?

Most clubs are at least an hour drive...you luck out if you don't have to travel far! I personally could go to a club 45 minutes away, but don't want bad training! No training is better than bad, and I agree, make sure who you train with is not going to create problems that will be harder to fix.
So I travel almost 2 hours for better training, which in the past year, we've had to fix some problems that I caused early on with the more "local" group.

I think it was mostly a result of having such a long & traumatizing day yesterday. I don't see any sign of it today at all. You're right...sig change is next LOL. I'm going to look into this club that's only 10 minutes away. If it checks out and has good referrals, then it'll at least be worth looking into.

Today has been such a huge success for Guinness. 4 walks, each getting progressively better on the leash. Meeting a LOT of new people and a few dogs, each time doing so in a very friendly manner with very little anxiety. A few rides in the Jeep, including a 45minute (each way) ride to PetsMart for a bed, then hanging out in front of a grocery store with my wife meeting people while my son & I got groceries. 2 success's with going potty outside. The amount of progress I've seen in him in such a short time has been just amazing. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! Hopefully, all this excitement will lead to a good sleep tonight, since he only let me get about 3.5hrs of sleep last night

TLDR version: Guinness had a great day with lots of progress!

[onyx'girl]

Lucky you...10 minutes away!! If it is warrior k9, you are luckier!! LOL... Whatever/where-ever wishing you a good one and Guinness's Jakob has a great future with his new family

[CRider]

Actually, it's OG Keystone Schutzhund Club in Millerstown, PA. Maybe someone on here will know something about them...

[readaboutdogs]

Don't know anything about the clubs but he is a sweet looking boy! Cody was the last pup left and was my soulmate and heart for over 11 years! Destiny!