New gsd owner any tips please

[kelpiemad]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to lovely life you are going to have living with a GSD as the others said start off as you mean to go on she will soon settle with you try and do a little simple training with her. Do things she can succeed at and feel good about herself always reward her for doing these things its surprising how quick a bond forms when you work together
Michelle

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by maddie moo

Yes my bulldog is entire, 3 years old and is very laid back. He only told her off once as she took one of his toys and bulldogs are quite possesive by nature but since then he has been fine.

He has been up to her numerous time today to sniff her as has she been up to him, they have even started sharing beds together.

I think after the whole initial new dog in the house he has now settled to his usual cant be bothered attitude and sleeps 22 hours a day

We only put them together last night as she seemed to be crying more and after we let them sleep together she stopped crying straight away.

I am just a little more nervous after reading other posts re honeymoon period as i hope she wont change her good nature and become a totally different dog xx

She won't change her nature, she's gorgeous + she'll stay gorgeous

Don't be nervous, I'm just paranoid as I have bullbreeds + know what they can do

I just think you have to keep an eye on them. Scary was a 1 year old full on SBT male + a 7 1/2 week old SBT female, they're inseperable now, but taken us a while to get there

You'll be fine + everyone on here is here for you if you need anyone xxx

[maddie moo]

I know what you mean by bull breeds Apollo (My bulldog) feels the need to plough through everything in his path if he is going somewhere he is going and you aint stopping him, on the other hand if he doesnt want to go somewhere he aint going and there is no budging him

Myself and my husband now say we have 4 children in the house as the dogs are just as much part of the family even though Maddie has still to realise she is loved just as much as all the others

We will deff keep you posted on progress xx

[J&J]

I was lucky with Jones and Ellie, as they were soul mates hitting it off from the start. Mind you Jones did have a low ebb about a fortnight in caused by a young madam 5 month pup out playing him Sulked for about a week then back to normal...

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have paired a pup with Jones and his issues and there is a story to how I ended up adopting Ellie... And I know the training club I was taking him, totally humilated me in front of the club concerning my fool heartiness screaming I would ruin both dogs etc etc...

But appart from runing me ragged keeping up with their individual training needs at the begining it has been the best decission I ever made, it was the making of both the dogs..

As she settles she might get a little bolshy, as she pushes to find where her limits lay etc, it's a case of closely monitoring and if you see a possible glitch the nip it in the bud. Keep an eye out for any situations that might make her feel uncomfortable, so if necessary you can give extra guidence so she learns to be relaxed... remain firm, fair and consistant and she been fine I'm sure.

I'm in a similar situation to J&J, having taken on a 8 month bitch Zee with an older (2yr) dog and totally agree to keep an eye on behaviour patterns.

Having 2 is hard work, but mainly the training aspect. For example I've not specifically trained Zee to walk to my heel off-lead yet she does this much better than Remus, who I have trained (and need to keep re-inforcing) !

I've heard the 'honeymoon period' mentioned a lot with owners, but never understood it? Dogs don't suddenly change character for no reason; it's down to something, so if you're consistent there will be no cause for concern.

I think possibly this 'period' is where the dog's settling in - for some it's like they've always lived there (Zee), for others it can take months (Remus) !

[LOVEGSD]

Hello and welcome

Lovely to hear you've rescued, I'm sure all will be well if you follow the advice of 'start as you mean to go on'.....you must post some pics

[gypsyd]

when walking the dog whatever u do DO NOT USE pet controller spray cans my undoing - walked my gsd up to august with minimal probs started to use the pet controller and now im struggling to walk him

crates are great - cant wreck the house when u r out also leave the door open they can go in whenever they please

kane goes in without being asked cos he knows he gets a treat - infact he dives in how he never goes thru the wall the other side lol i dont know.

Good Luck with the dogs - glad someone loves them enough to give them a home well done

[maddie moo]

Hi guys

Our Maddie is getting on fantastic she doesnt chew, is very clean, she does pull a little on the lead but that is due to the fact that she was never walked on a lead only off lead. She is forever checking that we are all still there whenever we go out for walks

she has also started to bark at strange sounds which i hope means she is settling in more. She is getting on great with my other dog she is just gorgeus

Her previous owner texed today to ask how she was doing and that she was so upset that she has gone

I just hope she gets used to our busy lifestyle as i have had a week off work to settle her in. The last week has been quite chilled for us as the kids have been off school so hope she is not put out by the change.

Will fill you in soon + pics to follow