New puppy's issues- advise please!

[JenniferF]

Not sure if this is the best forum to post this in, let me know.

We adopted an 11 week old puppy about 24 hours ago. The contract stated we had 3 days to get him to a vet and if he had any problems they would take him back and return full price. Keep in mind this is not a real "professional" breeder. Also, not a backyard breeder.. I would say more of a "hobby" breeder. They do know what they are talking about and really care about the pups but the parents have never been hip or elbow certified. The pups grandparents on both sides have been though. Anyway- he warmed up to us pretty fast, seems happy and content. The issues I am having are this, though. This morning I let him out into our large fenced in backyard, supervised, for about 10 minutes. The second I let him back in he submissive peed when I went to pet him. I didn't think a lot about this. Then I let him out again about an hour later, he was about a little longer this time, supervised from the window. I let him in and AGAIN he pees RIGHT away, this time it seemed more of a regular pee, he squatted etc. Not so much submissive I do not think? But, I went to pet him a minute later and he peed a bit more. Then a couple minutes later I went to pick him up to take him downstairs and he peed even more. Happened again a little later. How concerning is this?
Another issue, he likes to be pet etc-- but he doesn't like coming to us. If we squat down and clap our hands and call him he kind of walks away or around us, not to us like (most?) puppies would. He does follow me around but doesn't come up to me when I call. Is this normal?
Last issue!- I have tried working with him just slightly using treats to get him to sit and he does like the treat but he isn't interested or focused AT ALL. I do know he is a puppy, so this is the LEAST of my concerns. But, is it normal that I cannot get him to pay attention for even a minute with a treat at 11 weeks old?

Anyway--- We took him to the vet last night and found out that he has bilateral cryptorchid. (both of his balls have not dropped). Because of this the vet said that we would defiantly want to get him fixed by the time he is a year old so that cancer does not develop. Defiantly not breed him. And that he will produce a little less testosterone so perhaps be slightly smaller and less "muscular" that he would have otherwise been. Also fixing him will be a surgery and cost us closer to $300-$400 rather than just over $50 for the normal neuter.

I emailed the breeder and they are willing to refund us $100 and have us keep the puppy or take him and back refund us our full $500-- which is what we paid for him.

Thanks to anyone who is willing to read all of this and give me some feedback-- would you keep him with these issues? We have only had him 24 hours, and yes we do love him but also we do want a good family dog. The health issue and the extra money that will cost is the least of our concern, my concern is mostly the submissive peeing and not coming to us at all. Let me know, thanks!

[LaRen616]

The not coming to you and the peeing is normal. He's a puppy, he is in a strange place and he doesn't know you.

I personally would take the puppy back and I would do my research and find a reputable breeder that does health tests and temperment tests and chooses the perfect puppy for me. You have a better chance at getting a nice, healthy puppy with a great temperment if you go through a reputable breeder. The money spent will be well worth it in the end.

[LaRen616]

Things to look for in a 'Responsible' Breeder

[Wild Wolf]

You should be purchasing through a reputable breeder that can provide you with a healthy pup that has a stable temperament. Spending a little more would reduce vet bills in the long run... trust me. A well bred dog is often a healthy, sound animal. Worth the wait/expense.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by Wild Wolf

You should be purchasing through a reputable breeder that can provide you with a healthy pup that has a stable temperament. Spending a little more would reduce vet bills in the long run... trust me. A well bred dog is often a healthy, sound animal. Worth the wait/expense.

[JenniferF]

I have another puppy I am interested in if we do decide to not keep him. Parents and grandparents have been hip and elbow tested and are certified. Dad is 95lbs and mom is 75lbs, they've had their second set of puppy shots and been wormed. They were born Oct 9th and both parents are on site. These pups are $850. Would this be a better bet as they have been hip and elbow tested? -What questions should I ask them before looking? EDITED: Also they are German West Line, red and tan

[msvette2u]

Read the link LaRen provided.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by JenniferF

I have another puppy I am interested in if we do decide to not keep him. Parents and grandparents have been hip and elbow tested and are certified. Dad is 95lbs and mom is 75lbs, they've had their second set of puppy shots and been wormed. They were born Oct 9th and both parents are on site. These pups are $850. Would this be a better bet as they have been hip and elbow tested? -What questions should I ask them before looking?

Both parents and grandparents have been both elbow and hip tested?

Do the breeders choose the puppy for you? You should not be the one choosing the puppy! The breeder has been around the puppies for 8 weeks, they should know all of their personalities, drive and energy levels and they should match the perfect puppy to you.

Ask them why they decided to breed GSDs?

What are their goals?

Have they done other health tests?

Do they temperment test?

Do they match their puppies to the puppy buyer?

I personally believe that $850 is pretty low to pay for a well bred GSD from a reputable owner.

[JenniferF]

I have already looked over a lot of those sites. $850 is the top we would be able to pay. These people with the $850 pups seem responsible

[qbchottu]

Originally Posted by JenniferF

the parents have never been hip or elbow certified. The pups grandparents on both sides have been though.

Just because grandparents were certified doesn't necessarily mean the parents are clear. I would want the parents to be certified as well before I went ahead with a litter. Being a hobby breeder is one thing, but not doing a simple hip/elbow certification? Calls the breeder's practices into question.

Originally Posted by JenniferF

Another issue, he likes to be pet etc-- but he doesn't like coming to us. If we squat down and clap our hands and call him he kind of walks away or around us, not to us like (most?) puppies would. He does follow me around but doesn't come up to me when I call. Is this normal?

You've had him for 24 hours. My male that doesn't leave my side and will do anything for me didn't truly bond with me for about a month after I got him. 24 hours is way too short to expect anything close to a "true bond". This is more so true for an aloof breed like a GSD.

Does he even know his name yet? Recall training takes time, repetition and patience. It is not an overnight thing. Look into obedience classes. It will be crucial in educating both you and the pup.

Not all dogs like big displays of affection. For example, my girl will belly crawl and shy away if strangers come at her with lots of noise and yelling. My male will stiffen up and turn his head when strangers are overly touchy and aggressive with their introduction. You are still pretty much strangers after only knowing each other for one day. Keep it low key and do not expect everything all at once.

Originally Posted by JenniferF

Last issue!- I have tried working with him just slightly using treats to get him to sit and he does like the treat but he isn't interested or focused AT ALL. I do know he is a puppy, so this is the LEAST of my concerns. But, is it normal that I cannot get him to pay attention for even a minute with a treat at 11 weeks old?

He's 11 weeks old. Not even 3 months and you've had him a day! Keep your expectations in check. First work on focus and attention training. Give him a treat each time he looks at you. Give him a treat when he comes after you call his name. Give him a treat when he does something positive (sitting, downing, going to his crate or bed). Go to obedience classes and that will accelerate his learning. It is too early imo to expect him to attach words to specific commands. Think about a 2 year old child. Would you expect them to keep focus on you and obey complex commands? Start off slow and build up.

Originally Posted by JenniferF

would you keep him with these issues? We have only had him 24 hours, and yes we do love him but also we do want a good family dog. The health issue and the extra money that will cost is the least of our concern, my concern is mostly the submissive peeing and not coming to us at all. Let me know, thanks!

The fact that you are asking this question is concerning... Whether he becomes a good family dog or not is up to you (barring any serious congenital temperament issues).

The submissive peeing might have an underlying health cause so you should get that checked out by a vet. Enroll in obedience and consult a behaviorist to help remedy the urination issue. There are medications if it is a health issue, and with proper help, behavior problems also do have solutions.

Do not expect a 11 week old puppy that you've had for a day to come to you when called. Way too early imo...

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