A big Hello from me and Blitz

[LucyA]

Hi All,
I have just joined this forum and hope to get a bit of guidance!

My partner and I picked up our new German Shepherd Puppy last Tuesday and we don't think we could have been luckier with regards to his temperment and behaviour.

Blitz is 11 weeks old this Saturday, he had his first jab and microchip last Wednesday and so is confined to the house for the next 3 weeks. We don't think he is a big fan of this!

He has slept through the night from day one and within a few days had adjusted so well that he now doesn't have any accidents during the night at all! He sleeps alone, normally on my dressing gown or my partners t-shirt from the day before, he does have a bed but prefers to sleep on something of ours. We let him have almost freeroam of the house throughout the night with just a few rooms off limits, should we be confining him to one room? I've returned to work for the first day since bringing him home today, he is locked in the kitchen which is where he has been whenever we have nipped out in the past week.
He seems to be fine in there, we did borrow a cage to try but it really distressed him and he doesn't seem to be destroying anything in there but his own toys.
He is a bit of a lone dog, he likes a little fuss but not as much as other puppies I have known before, he tends to like his own space and time alone, saying that though, he follows me religiously when he isn't fast asleep! I am led to believe this is quite normal for a GS, is that correct?
He is getting slowly better with his toilet training, he does sometimes use the puppy pads, but most of the time puppy pads and newspaper is far better to chew than it is to go to the toilet on - or so he thinks!
We are giving him lots of fuss when he goes on the pads but ignoring him - not telling him off, just cleaning it up when he goes elsewhere - should we be telling him off?
Blitz is prone to car sickness - even on short journeys, we have been taking him just on a few errands to try and get him used to it - is there anything else I can try to make him calmer while travelling? How do you guys secure your dogs while in the car?
He is a new addition in the cats house! He seems curious about our 2 year old cat, she can't stand him, she spits and hisses. She has only been in our new house 2 weeks longer than Blitz and has lived peacefully with a collie cross before so fingers crossed they will get used to eachother, any tips on how to help them out would be appreciated.
With regards to training, I have Blitz training in the house 1-2 times a day, he is generally good. I have managed to get him to learn 'sit' to perfection, he walks by my side when I tell him to 'Walk' he lays down when shown what I mean with an arm lowered to the ground and the word 'Down' the only thing that is frustrating at the moment is I can't get him to do any of the above once his lead is on, he just sits himself down, sulks and cries, again, any tips are appreciated. I want him to be pretty well trained and obedient in 3 weeks time when he will be walked twice a day. I may have my head in the clouds but it would be nice haha

I am sorry this is such a long post. I know I sound like a crazy dog lady, I am just so worried that I am doing things wrong, Blitz is the first dog I have ever owned myself although I have lived around dogs since being a child and I know I need to be able to manage him easily due to his eventual size.
My partner and I know were on a winner due to his temperment already but we just don't want to ruin that.

I will try and get some pics posted up later for you all to see,
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings!

Lucy and Blitz xxx

[Zak]

Hi Lucy,

Sounds like you are doing everything spot on so far. Welcome to the forum and please upload some pics when you can

I am sure some more experienced people will be along soon to offer advice.

[LucyA]

Hi Zak, will do, we have no internet at home right now, I have just had a brainwave though so watch this space....

[LucyA]

If this worked then you should be able to see a few pics taken last Tuesday when Blitz was first brought home.
One has me on (CRINGE) and one of my partner Dan

[Sanke]

Hi Lucy & Dan
Welcome to the forum. You will get plenty of friendly advice here so don't worry about asking a lot of questions. Blitz looks great. Keep up the good work with his training & I am sure you will be fine. Have you looked into classes in your area as this will help with training & socialisation ?

[GobbySchäferhund]

Hi Lucy and Dan

Welcome to the best forum ever known to dog lovers, i am also new and i have learned so much already, dont be put off asking questions as there is always some one happy to help.

Get some pics on

Liam and Jess

[LucyA]

Hi Sanke
Thank you for the welcome.
I have looked into classes, he is booked into a puppy social group late in March with the vets which I am sure he will love as he has met some family dogs already (up to date with Jabs and met inside) and loves to play with them.
As for obedience training classes, I am seriously considering it, however, if he keeps up the quick learning he may not need it, we have a few more weeks to think about it, would you recommend them?


Hi Liam and Jess,
Thanks for the welcome too I am sure you will get fed up of my pictures once the internet is set up at home, don't worry


L + B

[Tedsmum]

Hi ya he is a superstar!
some answers to your questions:
My pup had free roam of the house at night from 14 weeks as he was house trained and not chewing. He also hated the crate. If it works for you then carry on.
GSd's always want to be with you, in the loo everywhere, this is very normal for this breed.
You are doing it right with the house training, punishment or telling off is not necessary and could do more harm than good. Continue with the positive reinforcement whe he does it in the right place.
Keep putting him in the car but don't take him anywhere, just sit him ther for a few mins and treat and praise him. Keep doing the small journeys too and try to time it for when he has NOT just eaten. We used a crate in the car at first but again this is personal preference. He must be either tethered or crated for his own safety. I would suggest not on the back seat as he is going to get very big and very muddy very soon!
Don't let the pup chase you cat or leave them alone at any time. They will sort themselves out over the coming weeks but it take time so don't try to rush it.
He may be objecting to the lead as it is very strange for some pups at first. Put it on him in the house and lead him around the house and garden to get him used to it. He will soon not notice it is on when he starts going out in the big wide world.
Get him booked into a puppy school for socialisation as soon as he is covered by vaccinations and invite all your friends around to meet him over the next few weeks. Socialisation is almost the most important thing at this age.
Don't worry, you are doing very well and it is very early days yet.
Good luck. x

[LucyA]

Gill,
Thank you for your reply, what a fantastic idea about sitting in the car but not going anywhere, we'll give that one a go!
Thankfully, he is so cute so getting my friends and family round to meet him has been a breeze, they have been asking us if they can come see the dog rather than come see us!!
I'm pleased to hear it sounds like we are doing a good job, I have been reading a few other posts around the forum and I would hate to be one of those owners you all dread!! haha

The other thing I forgot to mention is food.
We feed Blitz on a weighed amount of Pedigree complete dry food for large breed puppies, as well as this, twice a week he is having heart which has been cooked in its own juices with no preservatives or additives which I am sourcing from the butchers. I have some liver for him to try too, I am sure he will love it

L + B

[GobbySchäferhund]

We also feed Jess on 4 tins of pedigree Chum and pedigree chum dry mix for large breeds twice a day and treats inbetween, need to find a butcher so i can buy her heart, liver and chicken carcus.......Making me hungry now

Jess is 6 months old though