[VegasResident]

My boy arrived a fuzzy bundle of pup and we started our life together with visions of perfect puppy dancing in my head.

Then, in the first 4 weeks I thought I would never see the light. He was a living landshark with an attitude to match. We had to pick him up and carry him with a towel to save our very arms. My forearms looked like they were sandpaper victims, they ached day in and day out from all the teeth damage. He went for our feet then our thighs the our waists. Pants got holes. There were days I would shake my head, wonder what I had gotten into AGAIN as I fought the puppy shark to even pet him and I would come to these forums for support that this too would end. The breeder said keep working....it surely will get better.


Well, my boy is now going on 5 months old. Sure he mouths now and then when he disagrees and those teeth which are changing over are still sharp, but the towel days are gone and the marks and aching scratched skin with it. He tries to grab things on tables, but a quick "eh eh" brings it to a stop. Sure we still protect the leather in the car with towels....but hey he hasnt been on earth that long!!!

Bare feet have started to return to the house, he is spending less time in the xpen and all of a sudden I realized that he is coming into his own.

Gone was the tiny little body of razor sharp teeth teeth making my every hour a stressing challenge where sometimes I would scream in exasperation and frustration.

Here now was a budding adolescent whose entire body wags at the site of me whose face looks at me with more confidence and more pride.

In 10 weeks my boy is becoming everything I had hoped for. Beauty, strength and balanced.

I hope that I remember in the future all the pain of the first 10 weeks and remember that it too slowly comes to an end as your pup grows.

And I know he will one day be the majestic dog looking over my family in silent pride.

So for all of you starting out your puppy journey thinking will it ever pass screaming out in frustration. It does.

So here is my boy, after a long day.

Here is the boy (now almost 5 months old) that I love more than life itself.

 

[GSDAlphaMom]

Ah great story and pic! I have a 10 wk old and totally FORGOT how much work it is. Thanks for the reminder that it will end...now I'm banking on 10 more weeks!

 

[lauren_b_d]

Thank you for sharing! This was so nice to read. Hugo is now 15 weeks old and we can pet him now and my kids don't have to stay in their rooms or on the couch when he is around.

 

[Deuce]

He's cute!

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

Awww, what a sweet face, how could you not love it? :wub:

Puppies are WAY more work than most people think (or remember, if you've had one before but not recently). Once they're housebroken and the biting and chewing has lessened it's so much easier to enjoy them. You can give them a little more freedom and not have to have your eyes on them every single second, which is exhausting. Every time I get a puppy I wonder if it's my last, because I'm not sure I can go through that again!

 

[CaseysGSD]

What a sweetie!

 

[VegasResident]

Thank you for sharing! This was so nice to read. Hugo is now 15 weeks old and we can pet him now and my kids don't have to stay in their rooms or on the couch when he is around.

We are now in teething which I consider much easier than shark . My last GSD pup was 1999......maybe I need to write myself a letter about the first 5 months . But I love him so......they steal your hearts

 

[vat]

What a cutie! Yes it is tuff but they are so worth it. We are at the 10 month age and I think we have hit the butthead stage! UGH!!!!

 

[VegasResident]

What a cutie! Yes it is tuff but they are so worth it. We are at the 10 month age and I think we have hit the butthead stage! UGH!!!!

OMG!!! I forgot a out the upcoming butthead stage

 

[Val-Hi King Timber]

This was great, refreshing and encouraging.

Timber is now almost 5 months old and we are and have been exactly where you are now.
Yes, the mouthing continues and we have some days that are better than others. On those "other" days, I feel discouraged and on the good days, I feel like "Wow, look at this dog. We are finally becoming "one" . And, of course Im super proud when we are out on a walk and people want to admire him.
I had no idea the butthead days were coming and it doesnt suprise.
Just like you, I realize that there will be one day where Timber is guarding over his family with just as much pride in us as we have in him. Its the joy of owning a GSD. I love my Timbi-imbi-imbi and I know he loves us too.
I think most of all....my 4 year old enjoys being able to walk around without the constant chasing and nipping. Timber will still do it, but a few collar corrections have really tamed that need to do it constantly.
God love my sweet, rotten, bratty, obedient baby boy Timber!

 

[vat]

Don't worry, I will take the butthead stage any day over land shark! Its now just a matter of falling back on the commands he knows and NOT letting him get away with anything. He does try to act like he is deaf at times, lol.

 

[SARAHSMITH]

It's reassuring to hear that the biting will come to an end. It makes me not stress so much over it. The best of times for my young puppy is when he's tired out and sleepy. Then you can actually pet him!

 

[doggiedad]

we control the butthead stage just like any other stage.

Don't worry, I will take the butthead stage any day over land shark! Its now just a matter of falling back on the commands he knows and NOT letting him get away with anything. He does try to act like he is deaf at times, lol.

 

[doggiedad]

i remember when my dog was 6 months old. i was sitting
at the computer. my dog came down the hallway,
crossed over to where i was sitting and put his mouth
around my knee (no pressure, just saliva). then he went into
the livingroom and laid down facing me with a "What" look on his face.

It's reassuring to hear that the biting will come to an end. It makes me not stress so much over it. The best of times for my young puppy is when he's tired out and sleepy. Then you can actually pet him!

 

[doggiedad]

i'm glad you're loving your dog
no matter what stage they're going through.

 

[Sheri]

I just adopted my new baby, Quinnie, on Wednesday...she turned eight weeks old today.....I have forgotten GSD puppy training days since my last baby 12 years ago.....

The mouth, the obstinence, the attitude....all of the characteristics that make them so amazing in adulthood as protectors.

Your last line was beautiful... 'Here is the boy (now almost 5 months old) that I love more than life itself.' A reminder of how powerful our love really is, how much we love our furry babies......its been only 3 days and I am falling in love all over again.....teethmarks and all......

 

[FG167]

Wow, this post really touched me. Madix is my first shepherd and I was totally unprepared for the CONSTANT biting, growling, chasing, yipping, smarty pants attitude that would do something naughty then look at me with the "what're you going to do about it" face. I ADORE this dog, he matches me in exactly all the ways I was looking for in a dog and more. But dang, I wish I would've read this when we first got him - he now and forever-more carries the nickname MONSTER lol

 

[katieliz]

"they steal your heart"...well that's a fact isn't it? they just totally steal your heart!

 

[Verona]

This is a great post!! My puppy is now 4 1/2 months and I definitely see improvements too and the kids are now able to play with our puppy instead of just being scared of her. We love her to pieces and and sure all the hard work will pay off!!

 

[VegasResident]

I am glad people liked my little journey post.

It is so easy to forget where you are going when you practically lose a toe or just want to pet your little bundle of joy without losing skin.

Then one day the destination is visible and the start line fades into the distance and you look down see those almond brown eyes staring up at you and you say to your little one....."stay by my side for the years will go fast, be my companion, my guardian and in return I will be yours".