[paulcindy88]

Hi!!
We have a new baby GS female puppy coming home on Friday. We decided to name her Geneva. She IS a mix, but she is definitely Shepherd!!
We already own a neutered 3 yo male named Zachary, he is Golden/Lab mix. A sweetheart.
So I have been out of puppy mode for a while. We owned a purebred GSD about 20 years ago, so it HAS been a while.
Can you help me with some questions please?
What are your favorite books/websites on training GSD? Behavioral problems, potty training, reward system, leash walking, etc??

And, what type of crate do you recommend? I always had a wire crate, but someone said a Dog Carrier might be better as it is more enclosed and might make her feel more secure. What do you suggest?

Do I get up with her in the middle of the night for a potty break?

What if she cries in the crate? And since my older dog stays in our bedroom(he has his own doggie bed, he will probably bark at her for the first couple of days, while she is in the crate at night, so I am a little concerned about that. I SHOULD keep them in the same room right??

I am sure I may have lots more questions, but thank you so far for the help.

 

[zyppi]

I use this crate:
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/lifestagesfolding.php

Just put a sheet or cover over the pup for privacy if your older dog barks. I'd always have a pup in my bedroom.

Quote:
Do I get up with her in the middle of the night for a potty break?


Yes, that's why I keep puppies in bedroom. The more you can avoid accidents, the faster the pup will be trained.

Be sure and give your older dog lots of TLC and don't push them at each other.

One of my favorite books is The Other End of the Leash (Hardcover)
by Patricia McConnell (Author)

Congratulations. Post photos soon.

Good luck

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Tons of good info on crate training is

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-SpecTrain.htm#crate

and the other vital thing we need to do is SOCIALIZE!!!

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-puppy.htm#soc

Good luck with your new puppy!

 

[paulcindy88]

Maggie and zyp,
Thank you!!

Oh, and Maggie....your dog lying down looks just like the one we are adopting. They are calling her a GS mix. But she looks exactly like yours(The silver one). Is there a specific name for you Silver Shepherd, or is that it??

Thank you again
________________________________________________________

Mama to Zachary Thomas age 3, Yellow Lab/Golden Mix

and soon to be mama to Geneva, 9 weeks old GS/mix

 

[paulcindy88]

It seems some people prefer the wire crate. I was thinking of getting the doggie carrier type crate, thinking maybe she would feel more "homey" and not so put int he open, especially at night.

So now I am not sure. What do you think is best, wire crate, or the doggie carrier type crate?
Thank you

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Hopefully the moderators will combine your 2 threads (I'm getting confused with the 2! and don't have 'power' in the puppy area).

People do have their preferences on crates and some like the solid plastic. I personally prefer to have one crate my dog is used to and thinks of as home. And since I travel and want my dog to come with me, I prefer a crate that is light and easy to transport also. So between the BLACK (make sure you get the painted black) being able to blend more into my decor (hey, it's a crate but it doesn't have to be the first thing I see when I walk into my bedroom!), and more easily fold up to carry thru the house and put in my car, it's the crate for me.

And as soon as we get to the dog show, parents house, hotel/motel, friends house and I unfold the crate, my dogs relax right down cause a piece of home has arrived!

 

[paulcindy88]

Thank you.I think I am going with the black wire crate that has the divider. You have been a great help, thanks!!

 

[Timber1]

I would go with the wire crate. If the dog prefers a darker, less open environment you can always cover the crate with blankets.

Night time potty breaks, absolutely.

Letting the dog sleep in your bed for a few nights???. I did that with my GSD, but did not have another dog in the house.

 

[Chris Wild]

I actually do prefer plastic crates. The dogs are more comfortable and secure in them as they are more den like, they are quieter and any mess (dog hair, mud, dog gets sick or has an accident) is more contained and not all over the house.

Blankets over a wire crate can work too, if the dog doesn't chew on them.. something a young pup is likely to do.

 

[Vinnie]

MRL’s GSD that is lying down in her avatar is referred to as a “sable” GSD.

I personally like the plastic crates better than the wire ones. The puppy is going to cry at first but you just have to let them. Someone once recommended to me that I put a clock that ticks nearby or in the crate to remind the pup of it’s mom. I did but the pup still cried the first night.

I have a ton of fav. books but I’d pick up something like "Purely Positive Training" by Shelia Booth, “Bones Would Rain from the Sky” by Suzanne Clothier and “The Power of Positive Dog Training” by Pat Miller.

Besides this website, I’d recommend: Suzanne Clothier’s Flying Dog Press at http://www.flyingdogpress.com/

 

[MikeB06]

By now you may have already bought your wire crate. If so that's fine.
For many many years I have always used the plastic Vari-Kennel 400 and 500 models and Furrarri 450 & 550 models. Last year when I got my latest rescue I bought the new Petmate Vari-Kennel Ultra X-Large 40" long crate that is redesigned with a 4 way twist locking door. I love it. Tie down holes on all 4 corners work great in my SUV.

The only wire crate I would by is the "suitcase" style that folds up flat for easy transporting.

I would highly recommend My Smart Puppy Book and DVD combo by Brian Kilcommons & Sarah Wilson. Visit their web site at: http://www.mysmartpuppy.com

Here is info on the Book/DVD. http://www.mysmartpuppy.com/product_pages/mysmartpuppybook.html