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Is a puppy right for me?

2039 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  BlackGSD
OK, I've been mulling this over a LOT lately, talked with DH, so now it's time to open this up to the general public, hehe. I've been entertaining the idea of getting my third dog (always wanted three) and it would be a puppy. I'm not one of those people that HAS to have a puppy - my current dogs were adopted at ages 3.5 and 1.5. However I have certain breeders and breedings in mind, so this would be a puppy from one of those, not just adding a third dog in general. It would be a GSD, at this point very strongly leaning toward a west German show line.

My current situation is that I have a 4 year old GSD and an almost 2 year old large mutt. We call the GSD the "performance" dog and the mutt the "pet" dog. My GSD is in a lot of training and activities. I have put six titles/certs on her since I got her less than a year ago. Contrary to what my family and friends think, I really only spend maybe 10 minutes a day at home training, but I do attend training at two different clubs 2-4 times a week and we do lots of trials and tests on weekends. She is a working line GSD but did not inherit the SchH drive of her father (almost nonexistant ball and toy drive, which we are now trying to bring out). She is a very "easy" dog, very well-mannered, under control, biddable, a breeze to train. Her only "bad" habit is that she's a spinner (will spin when she is excited about going out, or spins in the kennel when I leave her at boarding). Coke is my mutt and he's the opposite of Kenya. He is very outgoing and social, a very goofy boy that still acts like a pup and needs some work with self control. He knows basic/intermediate level obedience and shows no interest in doing any sort of "work" beyond that, he would rather sit on your lap or play with a stick. Both dogs are good with people (Kenya is more shy, Coke is very outgoing) and so far have been good with dogs.

Our home situation at the time of getting a puppy would be living in our duplex. We have a very large yard, fenced only at the back. My dogs are only outside while supervised. Kenya is off lead and Coke is on a long tie-out (the rotating kind, not a zip line). We pay our landlords extra deposits for each pet. I work full time, but I work a mile away and can come home for lunch. DH will be student teaching and would not be able to stop home, but he would only be working until school gets out whereas I work until 5pm. I do not work on weekends and my evenings are devoted to my dogs. We do not have any trips planned. We do a big summer trip each year but my dogs come along.

If I got a puppy, my plan would be to use a crate to help with house training and also an ex-pen in the kitchen. I would only allow the puppy out in the house while supervised, and likely use some sort of tether to keep the puppy attached to me. I know I would have to come home from work to let the puppy out and also get up at night. The puppy would probably start out in a crate in our room, since our other dogs sleep on dog beds in our room and the bedroom is on the "outside" wall (as opposed to the side we share with the duplex neighbor). This would be my very first puppy.

I am choosing west German show line simply because I've always wanted one. I originally wanted to get more involved in SchH and get a working line, but we are planning to move to another part of the country in less than a year, so I'd rather wait until after we move and I can get involved in a local SchH club before getting a working line dog. With a west German dog, I would train it much like Kenya (agility, obedience, rally, maybe some SchH but not very seriously and not heavily into protection, and I'd like to try UKC or SV conformation). I already have a breeder picked out, someone I have met multiple times and someone I feel I trust. I like to be able to meet the person and the dogs and establish a bit of a relationship before just picking a pup....another reason why I decided against the working line for now (I don't personally know any workline line breeders, but I think that will come if I join a SchH club after we move).

So what do you think? Am I puppy material or am I crazy?
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Originally Posted By: LiesjeSo what do you think? Am I puppy material or am I crazy?
You're both!


Seeing what you are accomplishing and committing to with Kenya and Coke, I think you would absolutely do well for a new puppy. It adds another challenge for your time and dog management. And more learning experiences for you and a puppy.

It sounds like this has been a long term desire and plan on your part and not just an out of the blue idea. So continue with your plans and go for it when you're ready.
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You sound like an ideal puppy person to me. I think a puppy would be lucky to have you for an owner.
If all folks gave as much thought to getting a puppy as you obviously have, the world would be a better place!
So you don't think it's a huge deal that I work full time? I always thought puppies needed someone to take them out ever hour or two, but a bunch of people told me the puppy can go out every 3-4 hours and be fine. I wouldn't know, I've never had one and my kittens house-training...just dig their paw in the litter and voila! takes about 2 seconds to house train, lol.
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Lies - I hope it's not a huge deal that you work full time so do I and Dante will get a little brother....eventually


How often they need to go out can really depend on the pup (well from what I hear/read/etc 'cause Dante was 4 months old when I brought him home) most folks use the # months old + 1 for hours to potty as a base.

When I get my second I'll take at least a week, hopefully 2 weeks off to be with the pup before going back to work. If the pup can't go 4 hours by then I'll have someone come in daily until the pup can. Of course I'll have a good idea by that point how long the pup can go by how much sleep I'm getting each night
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you definately sound like puppy material LOL..

I have had my 10wk old here for a week,,while my sleep schedule is a little screwed up, she's been pretty easy to deal with,,however, she does require constant supervision when she is out and about :))))

Now I haven't had a puppy this young in ,,oh about 9 years,,and let me tell ya,,it's rather puppy shock on the system ,,baby gating here and there,,puppy proofing the house, not leaving her alone with the other dogs/cats when I leave the room, everytime I move,,she moves :)))),,and right now she's a peeing, pooping, biting machine :)))) oh and full of energy !!

I'm lucky I work part time and am home ALOT...At this age, Masi, during the day,,can hold it around 4 hours max..but when she's gotta go, she's gotta go..

IF I were you, (and I've done this before when I worked longer hours)..I'd try to time a week or two's vacation to coincide with getting a new puppy..it works out great/ or maybe a neighborhood person/whatever, to come let them out occasionally??

Otherwise, hey go for it :)))
diane
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And again it's in the planning. I'm in total agreement with Barb.

I'm getting my puppy in two weeks and I'm taking the following week. I'm also fortunate at the moment to be working only 3 miles from home so I'll be able to go home during the day.
I don't think we have any independently wealthy people here who do not have to work for a living! Most puppy owners do work, and do have to make some accomodations to raise a pup! I try to get pups started on crate training before they go home and they get a couple rides in the car in crates - to get tatooed, to go to the vets, and some to the airport! Ex pens are great for people who don't have as much flexibility to get home too. If new pups were limited to only people who stayed home, most of us would never have gotten one!

BTW Barb -
I am thinking of changing Basha's name to Blimpy! LOL LOL LOL LOL

Lee
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I think you are more than ready
Like Lee said, we all have to work, unfortunately
It works out
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I do not know if I can take off days when the puppy comes, but I would try to plan it for a weekend at least. I only have 2 vacation days left. But I'm not sure when (if) I get a puppy, it will be born. Maybe if it's in the fall it will fall over a holiday like Thanksgiving... How long are GSDs pregnant?

I also need to save up some money! Oh and make a new contract with the landlord, but I will wait on that until I decide for sure...
Originally Posted By: WolfstraumBTW Barb -
I am thinking of changing Basha's name to Blimpy! LOL LOL LOL LOL

Lee
Gonna x-ray to see how many are in there?
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Hey girl!!!

I work full time and have 3! What the **** go for it!!!! What else would you hear from us here????
Originally Posted By: Barb E.
Originally Posted By: WolfstraumBTW Barb -
I am thinking of changing Basha's name to Blimpy! LOL LOL LOL LOL

Lee
Gonna x-ray to see how many are in there?
Hey Barb,

Is this the litter you are waiting on for a little brother for Dante?
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Originally Posted By: BlackGSD
Originally Posted By: Barb E.
Originally Posted By: WolfstraumBTW Barb -
I am thinking of changing Basha's name to Blimpy! LOL LOL LOL LOL

Lee
Gonna x-ray to see how many are in there?
Hey Barb,

Is this the litter you are waiting on for a little brother for Dante?
This was the litter - when it was supposed to arrive in winter.

I don't think I can do a NW Oregon fall and a puppy
I'm just too old!!!
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Originally Posted By: Barb E.

This was the litter - when it was supposed to arrive in winter.

I don't think I can do a NW Oregon fall and a puppy
I'm just too old!!!
All you have to do is "suck it up"
. They are only little puppies for a little while! How is that worse than me having a puppy in the SUMMER in Eastern WA?
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Originally Posted By: Barb E.I don't think I can do a NW Oregon fall and a puppy
I'm just too old!!!
Sure you can! Oregon weather is worse than Northern California's, but not THAT much, we get a fair amount of rain here too! I got my last 3 shepherds between October 28th and November 12th, so I've done the winter/raining/middle of the night pee run thing a LOT!
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Quote:I don't think I can do a NW Oregon fall and a puppy I'm just too old!!!
Lets see, due in July, go home beginning of Sept, that's early fall. You'd be fine!
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Barb,

Besides, IT'S PORTLAND! The time of year has NOTHING to do with the rain. (If that's what your worried about.) I lived in Vancouver for 27 years, I know ALL ABOUT the weather there! And if you are worried about possible heat in the fall, DON'T it doesn't last long!
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