Tips for a new puppy owner?

Hi all,

We're getting a GSD puppy which will hopefully be born next month and we're due to pick him up around the beginning of May. I've always wanted a dog and never had one so I am incredibly excited!! And I love the GSD breed. I've been reading every GSD book I can find, plus "Puppies for Dummies" which was well-reviewed on Amazon.

We have two kids - aged 5 and 3, and a reasonably spacious house + garden. I've already been in touch with a local puppy training school, but I need to research good local vets, and also figure out what general dog equipment we will need.

What would you say were the top 5 most difficult or unexpected things about your new puppy, or what were the things which you wish you'd known in hindsight...? (or would do differently with the next puppy!)

Also, what is people's experience of puppies escaping or trying to roam? We live in the country and our garden is definitely not secure - there are holes in all the hedges and the fences are not puppy-proof. Obviously I won't be leaving him alone or unsupervised in the garden, but will he try and get out do you think? Is this an issue? (Particularly before he's trained to come back when called!)

Also, what about chewing and eating inappropriate stuff? Our kids have a "den" (playroom) which is always a mess of toys all over the floor. Is this a complete no-go zone for a puppy until he learns not to eat Lego, Beanie Babies etc? I guess I could put up some kind of baby-gate maybe, until he's bigger.

Any advice gratefully received!

Excited....

Harriet

[super D]

Hello and welcome to the forum
Have fun with your new puppy when he/she comes along
xx

Welcome Harriet,

its exciting isnt it...lol, we are pleased for you, dont forget to stay with us so that we get to see photos of him/her at some time

As your puppy grows it will certainly want to roam around the garden to explore his/her new world, but you have plenty of time before that happens, but a secure garden will become an issue at some point

Its been a long time since we had a puppy in the house, and I bet you know all the points to be aware of,.. think of the puppy as if it is a child, if you think a child would do something then your puppy will also,..as it grows it will want to chew,... anything..its what puppies do, so you must make sure there is nothing around it can get hold of, I would say the `den` sounds like a no-go area....it will make a lot of mess, just like children.

Remember just like a child, your puppy will need to be played with, children learn through play and so can a dog, he will grow into a much happier dog if he plays in the early stages,.. I have a rescue dog who doesnt know how to play, and it is very sad.

Keep us all informed on how you get on,..and ask as many questions as you want

Stuart

[LOVEGSD]

Hello and welcome

Can't wait to see pics and hear all about your new addition. This forum has advice on all sorts of things, please have a browse & hopefully you'll find all the answers you need but shout if not and we'll all be happy to answer any questions.

Thanks - I see yours is also called Diesel! That's my chosen dog-name (assuming we get a boy...)

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by hkw

Thanks - I see yours is also called Diesel! That's my chosen dog-name (assuming we get a boy...)

Ha, great choice of name...lol....I am starting to see more Diesel's appearing on this forum now so it must be getting popular

[joyce]

Hello Harriet
You seem to have most things in order, the one thing I would say is try to make your garden escape proof, if there is a hole they find it, maybe get some Chicken wire put round the hedges, I know as you said the pup will be supervised, but you will be forever running round the hedge to fetch the pup back lol,
Baby gates are fantastic to keep them out of places they are not allowed, again whilst young something may have to be fastened to the gate so the pup does not get his head stuck.
You ask what were the things which you wish you'd known in hindsight

Even though I knew things I ignored them..
Temperament, Health is the most important...If you haven't already- meet the parents of your puppy, don't be afraid to ask about all health certification the parents have got, and build a relationship up with your breeder,remember a good breeder is there for you day or night if you need them...
Good luck with your new puppy, loads of pics is a must here

[Weehev]

hello and welcome!

my tips for puppy:

i found that crate training for toilet and preventing chewing is worth its weight in gold. with my first, zico, i had a large crate which i never sectioned off, therefre he pee'd in the corner. for zac i halfed the crate and moved the seperator as he grew, he never pee'd in it once and was housetrained by 15 weeks.

eat before your pup and make sure he see's you eating so he knows your alpha ( it doesnt need to be a full meal, even just a biscuit or something)

allow interaction with your kids and other kids from day one, he wil need to get used to getting his ears,tail, fur pulled and to screaming/crying lol

this is all just stuff iv learnt by makng mistakes with mine, in sure others will have more tips.

Stuart is right about the garden, you will prob need to secure it eventually, at first the pup wont leave ur side, however when he grows he will get more confident and will want to go off exploring!

good luck with ur puppy, bet u cant wait. Diesel is a fab name!!

xx

Glad to hear your planning ahead ,
As the others have said baby gate the den, as they can can pick things up and chew/swallow,. We put a gate on the kitchen also, so we had somewhere safe for Blake to go when we coulldnt watch him,.
Fill all holes in garden fencing as they will roam and find every nook and crany to escape,. Also if you have grass, be prepared for them to dig, alot, lol, we are forever filling in holes Blake has dug,.
Stock up on newspapers to put down on floor whilst your potty training, and watch the young children for being too rough, as first few weeks, the pup will want to sleep alot, also, a plastic bed if you want him to have one, we got given a wicker one for Blake, and he chewed that to bits in weeks,.
Be prepared to keep nipping them outside every half hour or so as accidents happen alot in first few weeks, we had papaers down near back door for both Tara and Blake, they learnt to use them, and we gradually reduced them over weeks, and both were house trained at 5 months, i personaly dont believe in the crate training, but thats my personal opinion, and i know others have good success with this method,.
Basicly, read and reasearch as much as you can, as their is soo much to learn, and mostly enjoy the lil fells,

Try and get the scent of Mum and Siblings on an old towel or blanket when you pick up Pup This will help settle, also definately advise a crateMake it snug with safe toys and bedding
Personally I would get a Large 48'' one and place a small bed inside
Put a ticking clock(mimics Mums and Siblings heartbeats) and a radio(bit of noise in background) on(out of reach)near to the crate
This worked wonders for mine

Linda x