New GSD owner..any1 have advice?

[Fran101]

ive never had a GSD before im doing some research the thing is,shes already here, i already love her
but the more i do research the more i think to myself
"holy **** im way over my head."
ive always had labs/lab mixes and shes just so different! not in a bad way or anything, she has her quirks but the most stunning thing is how shy and smart she is
and boy does she love to run run run but shes so quiet indoors, she loves other dogs
she sheds like a beast!

does anyone have a gsd that can offer me any advice on the breed? what do you WISH you knew before you got your dog?

 

[golden&hovawart]

My 1st advice would be to buy a book on the breed!.It will help you!.
They are usually high-energy dogs,more so if from working lines!.
They need a lot of exercise,a lot of training and a lot of love!.
They are very easy to train cos they love to please and most of them,love to retrieve toys!.
I would take her to basic training and try to find her a job like agility,flyball or obedience!.
Have fun with her!.

 

[AgilityPup]

I know EXACTLY what you mean. I got a GSD without really knowing much about the breed... Even though I've had her almost a year, I still find myself thinking "Woah! What did I get myself into!?" But, when those big slobbery GSD kisses come out, it makes me think "Oh well, we'll get through all the problems!"

And about the shedding, once again, I hear you! The dogs we had before Bella came didn't shead NEAR as much as she does...

If you can, I'd get her into a dog sport, or something... My young GSD is doing some agility training right now, and it's been really good for her... I also taught her how to play fetch, and that helps get a lot of her energy out... She also swims a lot...

Keep her socailized, being her to new places, get her used to things so when she's grown you know she'll be able to handle it... Good luck! Also, stick around the forums, the people here will be a lot of help!

 

[Fran101]

im just torn, i love her so much. but i go to college next year
she needs so much exercise and my family works and cant handle a high energy dog. she doesn't even like them (she runs away/barks at them)
i saved her from animal control on a whim (i was supposed to get a small breed puppy) and i will NEVER EVER bring her back, but more and more i begin to realize that altho i love her, she may not be the right dog for my family.
of course im going to give her more time to adjust, shes only been here for maybe a couple of weeks. but i dont know what going to happen when i leave for school in the fall

 

[lizzybeth727]

I thought you adopted her to just foster her until you could find her a permanant home??

 

[Fran101]

that was the initial plan, but very recently i just fell in love with her and wanted to keep her
but i feel like ive made the wrong decision. its my heart wants to keep her, but my head knows shes just too much dog for my family to handle

 

[Jynx]

I've had gsd's for my whole life. Different lines, different temperaments, every one of them required(s) alot of exercise, but have been adaptable to my schedule.

Right now I have a 7 month old, (and I haven't had a puppy in 9 years!) an 11 yr old, and 2 aussies, one is 9, the other 7...This "demon seed" is the wildest one ever ) or maybe I'm getting to old for a puppy. She is out of slovakian border patrol lines and east german working..So I got what I asked for..

Anyhow,,my advice,, "shy" is not a good thing,,you don't want a gsd running away from/barking/ at people she should be familiar with. It sounds like you need to get her out and socialize her more with people..Take her to shopping centers, parks, hiking, wherever you can get her to and socialize her to as many situations/people/kids as you can. Enroll in an obedience/puppy class, great learning for BOTH of you.

They are a very smart breed, and while I DO many different things with all of my dogs, you don't necessarily 'have' to get them into something where they are working, unless of course you have a high drive working dog..

I certainly don't want to scare you, my sister has always had labs and now papillons,,she can't handle my gsd's,,she admits they are way to much for her, I love their versatility and loyalty so I will never be without one. They are an "aloof" breed, and it's great she loves other dogs! it sounds like she seems to settle well in the house another good thing!

Your girl is absolutely stunning,,with that coloring,,she looks to me to be a bicolor,,
Altho it sounds like you won't be able to take her with you to college in the fall,,again, I hate to say it, but if your parents aren't on board with taking good care of her while your gone, you may want to consider the best interest of the dog and find a good home for her or maybe someone who could foster her while your in college?? I can tell you right now, if you go to college, and your parents don't do 'right' by her, you will end up with more problems than you bargained for, and a very unhappy dog who will get herself into trouble....

It's a very tough situation for you and it certainly sounds like you love her to death, but hopefully you will do what's right for her. There are Florida GSD rescues as well that could help you out with finding the perfect home for her..

Good luck, and I don't envy your decision,,again, she is absolutely stunning
Diane

 

[Jynx]

you also may want to join this gsd board,,they have a huge rescue section and people on there that could help with your situation.
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

 

[AgilityPup]

im just torn, i love her so much. but i go to college next year
she needs so much exercise and my family works and cant handle a high energy dog. she doesn't even like them (she runs away/barks at them)
i saved her from animal control on a whim (i was supposed to get a small breed puppy) and i will NEVER EVER bring her back, but more and more i begin to realize that altho i love her, she may not be the right dog for my family.
of course im going to give her more time to adjust, shes only been here for maybe a couple of weeks. but i dont know what going to happen when i leave for school in the fall

I know what you mean, I've got this gal, and if all goes well, I'm off to University in 3 years... By then I HOPE she's well behaved enough that I can bring her with me...

Is there any chance you can bring your gal with you to college? I know a lot of places aren't fond of GSD's, but maybe you could get her CGC (Is that what it's called? Canine Good...?), and that title would help you to find a place that would allow you to keep her with you?

 

[PWCorgi]

Honestly, I haven't been able to find housing for a dog under 25 pounds here, I know a girl that has been looking for a place that will allow a 15 pound dog for months. I wouldn't hold my breath on finding a place that will allow a large GSD, it seems like this is the norm for college students with dogs trying to find housing.

There's a lot more involved than just saying you will take your dog to college with you, believe me!

 

[Fran101]

if there was a way that was fair to her , i would take her to college
but i cant imagine leaving her in an apartment all day alone while im at class,
shes loves being outside and playing and running and she loves being with me,
that would be torture for her. shes truly happy when shes with a person, or even better, other dogs that will play with her
and i doubt i could even find an apartment that would take her

it wouldnt be fair to her

i do admit. i didnt think it thru, i saw her in that kennel and all i could think about was saving her, getting her out of there and home where i could nurse her back to health. well shes healthy now and i dont know what to do.

 

[AgilityPup]

You might be able to find an apartment with a firend close by who doesn't have all the same classes as you, or a room mate, who could take her out for walks and what not...

I honestly think she'd be fine in a crate while you were at school, as long as as soon as you came home, she was taken out for LOTS of play, and exercise...

Or maybe, a 'doggie day care' where she could stay with people and other dogs while you're in class?

 

[Fran101]

my aunt who loves dogs says if ANYTHING she can take her

the thing is, kenya is attached to just me. so before she goes anywhere or does anything,
i signed her up for training classes and i plan on working on her social skills with other people as well as some basic obedience

ive got alot of thinking to do. but first things first, me and her have alot of training and social work to do.

 

[golden&hovawart]

my aunt who loves dogs says if ANYTHING she can take her

the thing is, kenya is attached to just me. so before she goes anywhere or does anything,
i signed her up for training classes and i plan on working on her social skills with other people as well as some basic obedience

ive got alot of thinking to do. but first things first, me and her have alot of training and social work to do.

That's great!!.
Where do you live in South Florida?.I'm from there,too!.

 

[Fran101]

ya i live in miami the sexiest city on earth

 

[AgilityPup]

That's good about your aunt! I hope you're able to work something out!

 

[Jynx]

that would be great if your aunt could take her,,maybe you could work something out for her to keep her while your at school and you take her when your on vacation/home that type of thing..

I've found that gsd's are one of the most adaptable of dogs,,tho she is attached to you, it may not be so hard for her to become attached to someone else who treats her well .

I would definately do what you suggested,,do all you can right now before college, take her to classes, socialize her more,,work her while you can and hopefully your aunt will still take her for you while your at college.
diane

 

[bethie]

She is a beauty. I have had German Shepherds for 30 years and they are the most wonderful of companion animals. Do work on that "shy". I hope it works out with your Aunt.

 

[Fran101]

we've decided to keep her shes doing better with my grandpa
(shes still shy around my mom)
but my mom said that shes staying, we adopted her so shes our responsibility and shes ok with strangers and stuff and makes my grandpa feel safer.
so for now shes here to stay

 

[vomdominus]

I'm glad you could keep her! It is possible to overcome shy, my girl used to be introverted and shy, but with tons of socialization and training, she's a nice confident outgoing girl now. You can do it!