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Bought my first GSD... or two

2K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  LuvmySlyguy 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi everyone! I'm new here and as a first time gsd owner I want to make sure to educate myself even more about the breed.
I did a ton of research before buying one.
My husband has been around and owned a few. We bought two 4 month old pups. I have the male and he has the female. Sly will be getting neutered asap.
I own a border collie who is very obedient and very loyal to me and so far all three dogs are getting along.
My husbands dog, Onyx stays outside in the yard during the day while he's at work. He leaves early, 4:20ish am and gets home at 13:00. She's so excited to see him!
Sly hangs out in the house with me.
Chex my border collie has been with me since he was 9 weeks old and he's now a year and a half. I know all dogs are different and the age thing plays a huge role but he seemed to be fairly easy to train and these guys are a little more excited and don't stay focused for even a second most of the time.
I taught Sly to look at me when I say his name so I know he's paying attention and then I ask for a sit or down as long as he's close enough for me to help him if needed.
He's doing good but not anywhere near as good as Chex did. I had my border collie look at me when I say his name, down, sit, stay, come all by 12 weeks old and potty trained. He acted like a full grown dog lol

I guess the point of this post is to say I'm trying but I think I need some encouragement and maybe some stories of when you got your first one. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing by the dogs. I love well trained obedient animals and knowing the bad rap certain breeds get I don't want ours to be tools for more bad raps.
Sorry if this made little to no sense and if this isn't where to post it.
That's Sly ?
 

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#2 ·
nice looking puppy. I don't have experience with Multiple GSD puppies at the same times but have seen plenty of posts.. From what I remember you've got A LOT of work ahead of you if you want happy, obedient, well socialized GSDs.

See if you have a training club in your area or you may want to seek out professional training assistance.
 
#3 ·
My GSD was my first and I was very paranoid when I first got him. Is he gonna be aggressive, is he gonna get sick, why won't his ear go up, why was that poop runny.

Now that he's almost 1.5 years old, it's pretty much auto-pilot. All that worrying, training, and biting paid off in the end.

A few pointers from a former first timer.

If they act like a shark, that's normal. Have a toy around at all times to put in their mouth in place of your hand. They'll figure it out. This takes a long time to go away in some cases but it does go away (for the most part).

Be consistent. They really train themselves if you're just consistent every day. I honestly don't know how Orion learned all the things he has so far because I don't really remember training him. But I'm constantly consistent (redundant statement) with training and discipline. Constantly training in small portions (5 min sessions to start) really worked well. I'd do that 4-5 times a day.

EXERCISE! Oh my, this was a hard one. 30 mins a day? Ha! At 6 months, it was play for 30 mins, nap for 1 hr, play for 30 mins, nap for 1 hr. At 1.5 years, it's play for 35 mins, nap for an hour. They love exercise and aren't happy when they don't get it. You'll start to figure out the whines and barks and when they're hungry, when they're bored, and when they want to go outside and run in circles like mad men.

Feed them good food. High-quality diet really pays off. Orion caught a "fever of unknown origin" two months ago. 105-degree temp and dehydrated out of the blue and quickly. He went to the vet and stayed overnight. Next day he was back and ready to go. Vet said he was in great shape and his diet is perfect and that really helped him fight off the bug. Not to mention the shiny coat, mental clarity, and focus.

Enjoy the dog. They grow up so fast. If you just use common sense and take care of them they're very easy to train and work. They're great companions and they'll always protect you. Have fun with them, enjoy their silliness and creativity with hiding toys.
 
#6 ·
My GSD was my first and I was very paranoid when I first got him. Is he gonna be aggressive, is he gonna get sick, why won't his ear go up, why was that poop runny.

Now that he's almost 1.5 years old, it's pretty much auto-pilot. All that worrying, training, and biting paid off in the end.




A few pointers from a former first timer.

If they act like a shark, that's normal. Have a toy around at all times to put in their mouth in place of your hand. They'll figure it out. This takes a long time to go away in some cases but it does go away (for the most part).

Be consistent. They really train themselves if you're just consistent every day. I honestly don't know how Orion learned all the things he has so far because I don't really remember training him. But I'm constantly consistent (redundant statement) with training and discipline. Constantly training in small portions (5 min sessions to start) really worked well. I'd do that 4-5 times a day.

EXERCISE! Oh my, this was a hard one. 30 mins a day? Ha! At 6 months, it was play for 30 mins, nap for 1 hr, play for 30 mins, nap for 1 hr. At 1.5 years, it's play for 35 mins, nap for an hour. They love exercise and aren't happy when they don't get it. You'll start to figure out the whines and barks and when they're hungry, when they're bored, and when they want to go outside and run in circles like mad men.

Feed them good food. High-quality diet really pays off. Orion caught a "fever of unknown origin" two months ago. 105-degree temp and dehydrated out of the blue and quickly. He went to the vet and stayed overnight. Next day he was back and ready to go. Vet said he was in great shape and his diet is perfect and that really helped him fight off the bug. Not to mention the shiny coat, mental clarity, and focus.

Enjoy the dog. They grow up so fast. If you just use common sense and take care of them they're very easy to train and work. They're great companions and they'll always protect you. Have fun with them, enjoy their silliness and creativity with hiding toys.

Thank you! Sly has gotten used to me taking him on a daily walk and when I don't get to go he whines and walks to the door and noses the doorknob and looks at me! It's so funny and amazing how much facial expressions he makes?
I went and rode my horse the other day and it was the first time in almost a month so I was very sore and could barely walk to yeah we missed three days of our walking but we played fetch in the backyard which seemed to help but I know he enjoys our walks around the neighborhood
 
#4 ·
Welcome to the forum LovemySlyguy, those are very cute puppies! I will assume that you got them from a back yard breeder, because of their age and lack of training at 4 months. As you noticed with your older dog, when you get a puppy early, usually never before 8 but by 12 wks of age, they are prime to learn and socialise with their new family. But no matter, your pups will catch on as well, it just takes a little more time. And you'll find that once they start learning the pace with which they get new commands will increase as well. Puppies do go through stages though, so they're not always as receptive to learning. Just remain patient and let them dictate the pace of your expectations. And most of all, enjoy those cuties!
 
#7 ·
Thanks! Yes I'm assuming she was backyard Breeder although they are registered. They are very smart but her training method was they'll do anything for a treat and that meant she opened a bag and they attacked her and jumped all over her. Ugh
Anyways they're doing better now, I don't allow them to jump at all. Thanks for the advice ?
 
#8 ·
the rate of learning and focus will not be the same as the border collie who had the experience of being the only dog in the house and got all of your attention.

two GSDs - probably littermates ? already have a bonding to each other . They were probably raised together at the "breeders" because it is easier than separating them and dealing with each one as an individual.

Make the extra effort to keep the dogs apart so that you don't have them too doggy .
 
#10 ·
You are exactly right! My husband keeps his dog outside while he's at work and mine is inside with me getting the one on one training and quality time and Onyx comes in when my hubby gets home and he gives her her training and one on one time.
My border collie was in a house with three other dogs but he was mine so he went and did everything with me like I'm now trying to do with Sly, my gsd.
Yes they are litter mates. And very bonded to each other but they are progressing because we also have training sessions combined where we both work our dog in the same area.

We took them to pet smart and Atwood's today and the Atwood's people were commenting because they saw them the first few times and now they're listening so well ?
Makes me happy lol
 
#11 · (Edited)
May I ask why? Will it stunt his growth or something? I'm just curious. My bc isn't neutered yet but he's not aggressive towards dogs either. My male gsd is showing dominance toward the bc but not aggressive dominance. More like he pushes Chex away when I'm petting them. I don't allow it though cause that's rude. I can't pet both just fine lol
 
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