I'm a getting upset now....at me mostly..

[ratchetsmom]

First off , this place is awesome btw. It really is. And since most agree that there Def. is GSD in my boy ( and whatever who knows) That is why i have chosen this board to look to and why I have 3 GSD books I have been looking over.... Oh quick side note, all I have ever had prior to Ratch, is shelties since I was 3, all as 6 wks old puppies. As you know, they are smart too. And all i had to do was ask, show them what I wanted and poof they got it. Well, now this little guy, also way to smart, picks up things rather fast. So my problem is... come/recall ( I say Ratchet come personally) and there is a 50/50 chance of whether he is gonna come or not.... I carry treats in my pockets (as well as my DH) and when he does come we get happy and give him treat tell him good boy ect. never yell at him to come or anything like that. I have been trying to set aside "ratchet cash" so I can be the good dog owner and get him to a vet SOON, and would like to enroll in a class...so what class do I put a 4 mo old into? a puppy class or obedience one? or look into a personal one to come to my house (since he has had no shots...please please dont hate me...it makes me cringe too) I need help.

[Emoore]

Puppy class. . . definitely. Though of course he'll need shots first. Look into some low-cost vaccination clinics. They have vaccination events at Tractor Supply locations once a month I believe, and about once a month at Petco. If he's 4 months, you *might* be in violation of TX law not having a rabies shot. If you're in the DFW let me know and I can help you track down a low-cost shot clinic, and good puppy classes.

As for recall, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Who knows what his early life and socialization was like before you got him? Just keep working at it.

[BR870]

Around this age, recall is pretty lousy... Its just part of the age. Keep at it consistently and he will outgrow it.

[GSDBESTK9]

Why would you give the COME command if you cannot reenforce it?

That is your problem right there.

Obviously he has already learned that he can ignore the "Come" command and get away with it.

He is much too young. Put a long line on him and NEVER give the command (which at his point I would find a new command/word for come) unless you CAN make him come!

[stacey_eight]

The place we trained had puppy classes up to 6 months old, otherwise you'd be in Obedience 1. Shots must be up to date at every place I've ever went to. I've hired a trainer to come to my house in the past for an aggressive Malinois, but as soon as she was ready, we went to group classes. The socialization and distraction training in group classes is important IMO. Get the pup his shots and head to class! He (and you) will love it!

[Cassidy's Mom]

At 4 months old he's had no shots? He's too young for rabies, but he should have had several rounds of puppy shots or it's not even safe to take him out in public because he's at risk of parvo, which can be life threatening.

[ratchetsmom]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Puppy class. . . definitely. Though of course he'll need shots first. Look into some low-cost vaccination clinics. They have vaccination events at Tractor Supply locations once a month I believe, and about once a month at Petco. If he's 4 months, you *might* be in violation of TX law not having a rabies shot. If you're in the DFW let me know and I can help you track down a low-cost shot clinic, and good puppy classes.

As for recall, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Who knows what his early life and socialization was like before you got him? Just keep working at it.

No DFW here, houston (the woodlands area actually) And the vet I want to take im too is my old one up in Brenham close to my mom and I LOVE THEM. Sounds stupid but.....so I will have a place to stay I am waiting on parents to return home from traveling...I think their back end of this week. I will call trac. supp and petco at least I can get some shots in him....

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

At 4 months old he's had no shots? He's too young for rabies, but he should have had several rounds of puppy shots or it's not even safe to take him out in public because he's at risk of parvo, which can be life threatening.

She found Ratchet as a stray and I don't think she's had him very long.

[msvette2u]

Please if you get them from Tractor supply, just do the 5-ways, don't fiddle with 6- or 7-ways.
At 4mos. of age, you only need 2 five-way vaccines to catch him up to date.
Give one, and then the 2nd one in about 3 weeks.

Get two of these -
DURVET INC SOLO-JEC 5-PLUS W/ SYRINGE (004-123921)-------- Protects against five canine diseases caused by canine distemper, canine adenovirus types 1 & 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus. Convenient as a single dose package with a syringe.

[ratchetsmom]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Please if you get them from Tractor supply, just do the 5-ways, don't fiddle with 6- or 7-ways.
At 4mos. of age, you only need 2 five-way vaccines to catch him up to date.
Give one, and then the 2nd one in about 3 weeks.

Get two of these -
DURVET INC SOLO-JEC 5-PLUS W/ SYRINGE (004-123921)-------- Protects against five canine diseases caused by canine distemper, canine adenovirus types 1 & 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus. Convenient as a single dose package with a syringe.

Well he should be getting his shots tomorrow. I went ahead and called the animal shelter and they have low cost vac. They are only open 10-2 so we will go in the morn. I will feel better him having shots in him and then a good follow up with my vet in brenham.

And on the Trac. sup....I am just not real sure I could do it myself.... Thanks so much for the info tho!!