Help me find a breed please

[BigDog2191]

3 months he might be house trained by an expert. But Rocky was reliable when he was nearly 6 months.

 

[Fran27]

How will I socialize him with other dogs before he becomes 3 months old, when I don't know which dogs carries a virus? Should he just stay at home, in the backyard and in the house, before getting the last shots?

It's a very hard one If you don't know anyone with dogs that you know have their shots up to date, it's hard. I took Tips to petsmart twice, but he stayed in my arms the whole time, and it wouldn't be quite possible with a GSD. I'm a bit lucky because he got to meet tons of dogs and other people at the rescue before I got him, but yes for now I don't know anyone with dogs so I just keep him in the house and in the backyard with me, although he got a few car rides as well.

I wasn't that careful with Boris because I didn't know better, and he was fine, but I know that other puppies from the rescue got sick the week after I got Tips, so I'm really paranoid now.

Hopefully someone else will post and give another opinion.

And I agree with Bigdog, unless people watch their dogs 24 hours a day, most dogs won't be reliably housetrained before 6 months, sometimes more.

 

[stirder]

I totally agree with fran.
for socializing join a puppy class. Im assuming they have them in denmark. they should all be fine, should be part of the agreement when you join that puppy has shots.
as for which clubs to join...do you want to train him in anything besides obedience? if you want to herd, join a herding club, or schutzhund, or agility, flyball, ring, whatever you want to do with him. you dont have to be in a club to have a gsd. but if you want to breed him and do it responsibly you will want to get some titles in something. plus its a lot of fun for you and the dog to compete in something.

 

[stirder]

and if you get a 3 month old, or 6 or 12 or whatever, most likely it will have already been socialized with all the other dogs at its kennel/home.

 

[Fran27]

Oh doh you're in Denmark, not sure how it works but I'm sure it's about the same over there.

 

[wolfdoggy]

I guess I can work all this out with Dansk Kennel Klub. What is these organisations called in America?

I think Herding sounds like a lot of fun. But so does Agility and the others. I don't know what to choose. So did I understand right when saying no club membership before 3 months old?

 

[BigDog2191]

I'd love to do Schutzhund. But lack of money doesn't allow it.

 

[stirder]

ummm, probably not. I would contact the kennel club to find out what areas of training are available near you, for a 3 month old dog.

 

[stirder]

it will depend on the club. most of them will require that all dogs be up to date on shots. and atleast some schutzhund clubs do start dogs at 3 months, but 5-6 months is more common. at that age they play tug of war with a peice of burlap. but Id check with your local registry and ask what is available. then contact the director of the club, and tell them how old your dog is, what shots he/she has had, etc.

 

[wolfdoggy]

At what age do you think would be best for him, to start on his first backpacker trip? Is 3-6 months too early?

 

[stirder]

too early to have anything of any real weight in the packs, but a good age to get him used to wearing it. and plan for short walks because his joints arent done growing. gradually make the wlaks longer.

 

[wolfdoggy]

Then what age would you suggest would be good for his first real trip?

 

[wolfdoggy]

Ahmmm. That last question was quite stupid. Just never mind,

 

[stirder]

lol, no question is stupid, as long as it is sincere and you learn something by asking it.
start walking him the day you get him. plan for short walk/hikes (1/2 mile?), and turn around before he/she gets tired. gradually make the walks longer. say first week or two, maybe 3 go 1/2 mile. next coulpe weeks go 3/4 mile. get him used to a back pack but remember, he wont stop growing untill he is between 12 and 24 months. after 12 months theres some growing but usually not noticable. walk him around with an empty pack, maybe let him wear it for a half hour or so in the house too now and then. once hes fully grown he should be used to the pack enough and obedience trained enough that you can put some of his food into his packs and go camping or hiking. as to how far to hike at a time...you will be able to tell from your previous walks and hikes. if the farthest he has ever gone round trip is 4 miles and he was worn out, dont expect him to go 6 miles on a hiking trip. remember not to have him carry water, and to keep his packs evenly filled. (this isnt the max he can carry, or how much he will eat, just an example) if you start with 2 pounds of food on on side, and 2 pounds of the other. then you stop to camp for the night and feed him one pound from one side. take 1/2 a pound out of the other side, and put it back into the side you just fed him from. if the packs get uneven they will rub and cause wounds, similar to rope burn.

 

[Fran27]

I diagree with Stirder... You should really not take your dog in public places until he has his full sets of shots. Any dog with parvo walking on the pavement could leave the virus there, and your dog can catch it until he's totally vaccinated.

 

[Renee750il]

Fran's right about the risk of parvo, and it is heartbreakingly deadly to a young pup.

 

[stirder]

I wasnt very clear was I??? sorry for that. I didnt mean to take an unvaccinated dog out on any of those activities. I meant once he/she is fully vaccinated (done with the frequent puppy shots) to start preparing for the backpacking trips, and training with the 1/2 mile walks etc.

 

[wolfdoggy]

Okay. No real backpacking practice before the last shots.