Proud New Owner in San Marcos, TX

1945 Views 19 Replies 18 Participants Last post by robinhuerta, Dec 4, 2010

x0emiroxy0x

Discussion Starter · Nov 29, 2010

2

Rocky
Born: August 29, 2010
Taken Home: October 27, 2010
Current Age: 12 Weeks, today!

Rocky lives in an 1100 square foot apartment with me and my boyfriend. Before anyone tries to chastise me for having him live in an apartment, I wanted to say I am an avid runner, about 8-10 miles a morning and once he is old enough, Rocky will be running with me in the mornings and if he still has energy, running with my boyfriend (police officer) in the evenings. He gets a ton of exercise right now, and since we have completely different school schedules, he is only alone about 3 hours on weekdays.

I taught him how to sit, shake, and laydown within one week, with 3-4 minute sessions every day. He is incredibly smart, and learns extremely quickly.

One thing I was wishing to discuss with other fellow GSD owners is boarding...

How do you feel about boarding your puppy/adult?

I don't want to board Rocky, especially since he is a puppy. I've volunteered at many animal shelters and kennels, and the people that are paid do the bare minimum and if they dislike a dog, are cruel to it. My boyfriend is pressuring me to board him for the week of christmas to go visit his family, but I would honestly rather be with my puppy...I'm just not sure if it is different for german shepherds than for other dogs to be boarded. My boyfriend's mom has an extremely overweight beagle that doesn't care where it is or who it is with as long as it is fed human food.

My puppy is often called "shy" but to be honest, I think he just doesn't care to be petted by anyone other than my boyfriend and I. He will tolerate petting at times, but he only wants to play with other people, not get affection from them.

Nice to meet everyone!

Emily

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x0emiroxy0x

Discussion Starter · #2 · Nov 29, 2010

Oh! I also wanted to say that I got Rocky from a couple in San Antonio that had a litter of 7. I found them on craigslist. The puppy is not AKC registered but I saw both of his parents in person and they both looked full-blooded german shepherd. And to be honest, as long as my puppy was healthy, I didn't care about the papers.

Unfortunately, Rocky had coxidia, ghiardia, and fleas. Luckily I took him straight to the vet the next day and got him signed up at bansfield, so his medication hasn't been too expensive. He is set to be neutered at 6 months, and he has all his shots scheduled for the next year.

Lilie

· #3 · Nov 29, 2010

Welcome to the forum! And howdy from Pearland Texas! Very cute puppy!

I took my GSD puppy all the way to Kentucky when he was young for the Thanksgiving holidays. He was up to date on all his shots, and I felt he was still too young to be away from my watchful eye! It was a great socializing event for him. I'm not too sure he'd agree, it was a long trip for him.....

1sttimeforgsd

· #4 · Nov 29, 2010

Welcome, and Rocky is a very cute boy.

Stosh

· #5 · Nov 30, 2010

Welcome from Tyler TX- very cute boy, those ears crack me up!

DeeMcB

· #6 · Nov 30, 2010

I have a boarder that is cage-free that I love. I've used them overnight but no longer yet (Ezra is 6 months). It was around $30 for overnight which I found to be reasonable and they had someone on site with the boarded dogs all night. I would definitely go for something like that vs. boarding at a vet where they stay in a cage/kennel all night.

BTW, there will ALWAYS be someone who hassels you for your choices. The cool thing is that, like with parenthood, you get to make the decisions that work for your family. Others are free to make different choices for their families. Ultimately, we all have to do what works for our families & lives.

doggiedad

· #7 · Nov 30, 2010

1>>>>> your apartment is large enough for 2 Gsd's. my house
is only 900 sq. ft. if you think of your apartment as a dog house
then it's gigantic. my house is a place for my dog to have shelter,
eat and sleep.

2>>>> smart pup. good trainer.

3>>>> i would board but i haven't needed too. if i were
going to board i would take my dog there a few
times before leaving him for an extended period of time.
i would take my dog and spend a few hours with him
at the kennel. next time i went i would stay with him a little longer.
the next time i went i would leave him for 3 hours or so. the next visit i
would leave him for 1/2 a day. the visit i would leave him for an over- nighter. the next visit i would leave him for 2 nights. after that i could leave him for a week during which time i hope my heart attack
isn't fatal

.

4>>>>> what did you do about these people being cruel to dogs
at the shelter.

5>>>>> maybe your pup needs socializing, socializing and socializing.

x0emiroxy0x said:
Rocky
Born: August 29, 2010
Taken Home: October 27, 2010
Current Age: 12 Weeks, today!

1>>>> Rocky lives in an 1100 square foot apartment with me and my boyfriend. Before anyone tries to chastise me for having him live in an apartment, I wanted to say I am an avid runner, about 8-10 miles a morning and once he is old enough, Rocky will be running with me in the mornings and if he still has energy, running with my boyfriend (police officer) in the evenings. He gets a ton of exercise right now, and since we have completely different school schedules, he is only alone about 3 hours on weekdays.

2>>>> I taught him how to sit, shake, and laydown within one week, with 3-4 minute sessions every day. He is incredibly smart, and learns extremely quickly.

3>>>> One thing I was wishing to discuss with other fellow GSD owners is boarding...

How do you feel about boarding your puppy/adult?

4>>>>> I don't want to board Rocky, especially since he is a puppy. I've volunteered at many animal shelters and kennels, and the people that are paid do the bare minimum and if they dislike a dog, are cruel to it.

5>>>> My puppy is often called "shy" but to be honest, I think he just doesn't care to be petted by anyone other than my boyfriend and I. He will tolerate petting at times, but he only wants to play with other people, not get affection from them.

Nice to meet everyone!

Emily

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GSDAlphaMom

· #8 · Nov 30, 2010

Adorable! Welcome from Plano. Some days those ears are going to fit!

Jelpy

· #9 · Nov 30, 2010

Look at them ears. Like someone pointed out to a poster recently; you appear to be suffering from separation anxiety.

Jelpy and the mesquite mafia

Andrew Robert

· #10 · Nov 30, 2010

Hello and welcome from Andrew & Sienna in San Antonio.

I agree with DeeMcB about trying to avoid kennels where the dog is primarily enclosed for the duration of their visit. I sent you a PM with info to a local GSD breeder who also offers boarding. If weather permits they spend a good bit of time outside in large play pens. I purchased Sienna from her so I have no doubts when/after I drop her off.

Emoore

· #11 · Nov 30, 2010

I can give a wholehearted endorsement for Southern Star Ranch in Liberty Hill. They are actively involved with, and are strong supporters of, Austin German Shepherd Rescue. They board a lot of our rescue dogs for free when the fosters go out of town and are very familiar with German Shepherds. I know the owner personally and would not hesitate to leave my dog at her kennel. They're good people over there.

tinalind

· #12 · Dec 1, 2010

Hi Emily,

I just did a website for a boarding and grooming company in San Marcos, and in fact found this thread while looking to see where the new site is ranking in Google. I was inspired to respond to your post because you asked about boarding your pup. I can't speak for other kennels, but the one I did the website for is great! They have large indoor/outdoor climate controlled runs that are disinfected daily, and play yards that they take the dogs out to play in twice a day. The owner, a former vet tech, is always there and lives on property, and she LOVES animals! When I was there I saw the dogs socializing with each other (from within their runs) and being very stimulated, as opposed to dogs who just get visits by a pet sitter 3 times a day who suffer from major boredom. They were all having a good time, and I was very impressed with all the testimonials I was able to put on the site. Don't want y'all to think I'm spamming this board so I won't name the kennel - just do a search in Google for San Marcos TX dog boarding and find the business name that starts with a P! Then you can visit their website and see what you think.

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JustMeLeslie

· #13 · Dec 1, 2010

Welcome to the forum!! You sound like a good responsible owner already. Is it not possible to take the pup with you or is that something that would be too stressful? If you do board I think others have probably already helped you in that department. Once again welcome and I just love those big ears on him.

KatieStanley

· #14 · Dec 1, 2010

Oh my! He is a cutie! I am lovin' those ears! I'm a sucker for giant puppy ears and those little faces

Welcome to the forum- I'm in Plano Tx also! Wish you were closer...we have a great little group that gets together on Saturday mornings.

DanielleOttoMom

· #15 · Dec 1, 2010

Welcome from Lewisville Texas (DFW)!! What a cuite pie you got there.

Heagler870

· #16 · Dec 1, 2010

Welcome! I am also an apartment dweller with 2 GSDs. They get plenty of exercise and mental exercise so I don't really care if anyone wants to bash me for it. So sue me! lol. Your dog is beautiful!

Stogey

· #17 · Dec 1, 2010

Welcome to the forum neighbor !!! I'm up the road in Kyle !

Deuce

· #18 · Dec 1, 2010

Welcome!

x0emiroxy0x

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 3, 2010

Thanks for the replies!

The reason I can't take him with me is because my stepfather hates animals and wants me to leave Rocky in his kennel in the GARAGE for the 22-26....ALL day. He isn't allowed in the house, and isn't allowed to sleep inside in his kennel.

I told my stepfather I would put him in the kennel in the garage, without HEAT for 5 days and see if he liked it. ( I would never let Rocky stay out there)

I moved out a few years before my mother remarried, so he thinks he is in control of the house even though I lived there 19 years longer than he did.

Anyways, I was going to spend Christmas with my boyfriend's family instead, but my boyfriends grandma is scared of german shepherds (no past incident occurred) so he wants me to board Rocky.

Thanks for the references to the boarders! I am definitely looking them up!

robinhuerta

· #20 · Dec 4, 2010

Nothing wrong with having GSDs in an apartment......I lived in Chicago at one time..had an apartment...owned 2 Dobes & 2 Rottweilers.
ok...I had access to a large concrete yard...but we still took our walks, and weekly training with a ScH helper. *One learns to make time & provisions*
JMO

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