Newest family member

Liberty97045 · Aug 28, 2015

After 30 years of acquiescing to my wife when choosing a dog, I laid my man card down and got "my" dog. She is a pedigree German Shepard, I got her about 10 days ago and she will be starting her 13th week tomorrow. She is wicked smart but has a stubborn streak (kind of like my eldest daughter).

She has pretty much housebroken herself with the exception of excited piddling. I am making sure she bonds to me first and I have been socializing the heck out of her.

At about 5 months She starts school- my goal for her is full off-leash trained.

I talked to this guy and both he and his wife were military dog handlers.

http://www.portlandoregondogtrainers.com/

Gotta go - she is trying to get my flip flop off which is her way of saying "I'm bored Dad!"

edslhead · Aug 28, 2015

Nice lookin beast! I think natural ears look great.

MightyCasey · Aug 28, 2015

I hope she brings you great joy. Always have been fond of the German Shepard.

Member 5605 · Aug 28, 2015

Big ears and big paws..

You are in trouble.

clearconscience · Aug 29, 2015

New PIC!
She's a pretty dog for sure. And all creatures are stubborn. They need a leader.

I have a new addition coming in January, but I can't put them on a leash.

Monica Cowles · Aug 29, 2015

HAHA! So someday I should get to lay down my "Woman" card to get my GSD??

Liberty97045 · Aug 29, 2015

Monica Cowles said:
HAHA! So someday I should get to lay down my "Woman" card to get my GSD??

Yes Dear

Liberty97045 · Aug 29, 2015

Dyjital said:
Big ears and big paws..

You are in trouble.

We raised twin daughters, after that?

Stomper · Aug 29, 2015

Big ears & big feet = big dog pies!

Sgt Nambu · Aug 29, 2015

Shes a doll, Liberty! You're going to have great times with her!
What's her name?

balaperdida · Aug 29, 2015

Congratulations! Appears you have a good training plan.

Medic! · Aug 30, 2015

Ah...... Your in for a ride.
I think we need to talk. GSD dogs have some traits unlike other dogs.

When people give you dog advice. The first thing you need to ask is ''Have you trained a GSD''?
If they tell you . ''No but all dogs are the same''. Just smile for them and let them keep there fantasy.

GSD's need lots of exercise. They need to burn off energy. Or your not going to reach them.
4-5 mile walk a day. Maybe more? Even as a pup. They are machines! and want to work. So your gona keep in shape training her.

Liberty97045 · Aug 30, 2015

Stomper said:
Big ears & big feet = big dog pies!

Sgt Nambu said:
Shes a doll, Liberty! You're going to have great times with her!
What's her name?

Medic! said:
Ah...... Your in for a ride.
I think we need to talk. GSD dogs have some traits unlike other dogs.

When people give you dog advice. The first thing you need to ask is ''Have you trained a GSD''?
If they tell you . ''No but all dogs are the same''. Just smile for them and let them keep there fantasy.

GSD's need lots of exercise. They need to burn off energy. Or your not going to reach them.
4-5 mile walk a day. Maybe more? Even as a pup. They are machines! and want to work. So your gona keep in shape training her.

Stomper,
actually she seems to like privacy for "the poop dance". I have seen with Dobermans too that they like to find some bushes for their dooty. I don't think it will take much encouragement to make that a habit.

Sgt Nambu,
Lexa\lex-xa\ as a name for girls. Lexa's root is Greek, and Lexa means "man's defender". Lexa is a variation of Alexandra (Greek): Latinate feminine form of Alexander. Lexa is also a variation of Lexie (Greek).

Medic,
I was told that GSDs (and working breeds in general) need a job. I am working on what that might be but guarding the house seems like a good place to start. She can be outdoors when we are home and possibly when we are not once she is older. We live at the end of a 3/4 mile gravel road and the only close neighbors are on the other side of the small river that borders 270 degrees of our property. The water in the creek is like her Kryptonite at this point and is as good as a fence. She has been able to come to work with me twice so far and goes with my wife to visit the assisted living residents where her mother is.

A little background on us. My wife has been in the pet industry most of her life. First as veterinary worker for 10 years, then the owner of a pet care business then as the manager of three Petco stores and most recently as a rep for Nutro. While I personally have not owned a GSD, I have a great resource in my wife. I am also planning on professional training by ex military dog handlers. For right now we are working on not piddling on the floor, basic commands, socialization and bonding.

Stomper · Aug 31, 2015

Also, train her to keep off the furniture... or you'll regret it!

mjbskwim · Aug 31, 2015

Stomper said:
Also, train her to keep off the furniture... or you'll regret it!

The 2 most important thing for new puppy owners
Tell the once make them do it the second time,then they understand they are going to do what you say,one way or another
And don't let a puppy do what you don't want a full sized dog to do.May look cute as a puppy but you let them start a bad habit and now you have to teach them to not do that thing.
Y'all are killing me. I don't want to get a puppy till after hunting season
You and Monica aren't helping much