The Dogs Bloggers

Anyone have a German Shepherd Puppy for us?

We are in the plans of getting a ‘new to the world’ German Shepherd puppy. We need one at the youngest age possible. It doesn’t really matter the color or pattern combination, at the moment.

Not me!

Instead of listening to idiots and ignoramuses and big-mouthed know-nothings (your message makes it obvious that those ARE the sources you’ve been getting your misinformation from), show enough intelligence to go to some sources that actually KNOW about GSDs.
You don’t know enough yet to formulate a question suitable for The_GSD_Source, so your next steps are to:
(1) Study the information – especially the schemes – in the websites of GSD organisations such as the GSD Council of Australia.
(2) Study several books written by experts on the GSD – I particularly recommend two: anything by Dr Malcolm Willis, and “the GSD Today” by Strickland & Moses. Either or both is well worth actually buying.
(3) Start working out what you actually WANT a GSD for, to do what.
(4) Start finding out whether there are training organisations within your travel range that you could attend weekly training classes at which an instructor observes your pathetic attempts to train your pooch then starts correcting your use of “the voices”, timing, body language, rewards & reprimands.
(5) Join some GSD discussion groups, but choose carefully or (a) you might be overwhelmed by the number of messages received each day, or (b) you might get into one of the rebel groups who consider that the Standard of the GSD is wrong to ban the features THEY think are “so cute”. By the way, although Britain, Canada, New Zealand and North America have their own rebel “Standards”, a different one per KC, there is only one Standard that actually defines the GSD, and it is far more precise than any of those vague rebel documents. It is FCI#166, the one developed by the SV (Germany’s parent club of the breed), modified by the WUSV (World Union of GSD clubs, on which there is at least one seat for every GSD country), and recorded as the Country of Origin Standard by the FCI. Click http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/166A1991_en.doc to get a copy. After studying it you might realise that almost every so-called GSD you’ve seen in the USofA is eligible for that designation only because back about 1940 its ancestors were indeed quality GSDs and every generation since has used that to be registered as a GSD, regardless of how different it has become. In the 70s the Yank departure was known as the “Hyaena Dog”, but has now gone beyond that and has earned the new label of “NAmerican Ski-Slope Dog”. (They sure look nothing like the drawings in the GSDCAmerica’s on-line Illustrated Standard!)

But forget the whole thing unless:
(1) You have prepared for a dog by creating a fenced and gated area that the puppy won’t be able to wriggle under and the adult won’t be able to jump over, and have built an escape-proof security cage+kennel inside it for when you have to have the dog outside unsupervised;
(2) You have enough energy to
– - actually VISIT any breeder you like the sound of, so that you can check their knowledge & integrity and interact with their dogs,
– - attend some dog shows and training competitions so you can see how pooches from each kennel that passed first muster actually performs,
– - save up to pay a price that is fair compensation for all the time & money the breeder spent getting show gradings and training qualifications and the various health certificates for his brood and checking out the progeny of various similarly well-qualified studs before flying his b.itch to the “right” stud – no WAY will anyone give away a genuine GSD puppy, all that brings you is a mutt with a false pedigree, no registration, no guarantee, no support from the “breeder”;
– - visit the kennel to choose your own pup when it is aged 7-11 weeks, a range that gives the pup time to learn “dog language” from its dam & siblings, yet gives it a few days to settle in with you before it reaches the “need security” stage that occurs during weeks 12 through 16. Odds are that the breeder (by which I mean a REPUTABLE breeder, not these self-professed “breeders” whose only interest is in getting your money) will tell you that there are only 1, at most 2, pups he/she is prepared to let go for the purpose you stated. On THAT you can trust him/her, but whether you and the pup have personalities that ‘click’ cannot be guessed by someone who’s never met you, has not had your property checked out personally or by a trustworthy friend, but is happy to fly a pup to you;
(3) At least one of you is able to take at least a week – preferably a fortnight – off work so that the pup is constantly observed while it learns where it is allowed to go toilet, and during the period when it is most likely to fall sick.

Last millennium, one of the SPCAs reckoned that a Labrador or GSD sized pooch would cost about $12,000 during its lifetime, most of it in the first and last year of its life. What it boils down to is that what you save by getting a BYB or puppy-miller pooch you pay out to the vet for remedial treatments.

If you reach the stage of being ready to start comparing breeders and litters, you could then join my e-group, click “Files” followed by “Choosing a GSD.doc”.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_Friendly
“In GSDs” as of 1967

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Dog Beds – The Perfect One For Your Dog!

Don’t you just love to see your dog curl up and have a sleep? In truth, they’ll just about sleep anywhere, but nothing shows how much you love your dog more, than by providing your best friend with a comfy bed to sleep in. A dog that has run himself ragged or finished a game of catch or has just been fed will appreciate a place that allows him to catch some sleep – and in comfort. Dogs love their individual spaces and like to sleep and recoup their energies and they sure love any place that is comfortable and warm and which is also noise-free.

A Means Of Training

It’s probably not a good idea to always let your dog sleep in your bed, and by providing his own doggy bed may help with his overall training. All you need to do is make sure you provide a really comfy bed for your dog to use. If he learns that he must use his bed to help him sleep cozily and take his nap he will soon come to appreciate this gift and love you the more for it.

Don’t under estimate the importance for a dog to sleep in the same spot each night. You could simply make up your own dog bed, but why bother when there are so many perfectly made beds already available to you to get online.

Just before you run out and start looking for a dog bed, you will need to carefully select one that suits your dogs sleeping behavior. There are just so many dog beds to choose from, such as nesting, bolster, round or even orthopedic dog beds, it’ll pay to look around at all options. So take a little bit of time to observe how your dog sleeps. Does he like to cuddle up, or stretch and spead himself all over the place? A bolster type Dog Beds will suit a cuddler, while matress type of bed would suit the dog that’d need more space while sleeping.

And size does matter when it comes to choosing a dog bed. This means ensuring that the bed is sufficiently large or small to keep your pet comfortable. Smaller dogs most often prefer a nesting type of bed that is just big enough for them to turn around in, while larger dog breeds like the Rottweiler, will need bigger, and more supportive beds to accomodate their weight and size. Just look for a dog bed that is a little bigger than your dog, and if you have any doubt, there are size giudes online to help you out.

You should also look for orthopedic Dog Beds and pillow dog beds as too bolster dog beds and even memory foam dog beds and nesting dog beds also have their own uses. Another thing you should look out for, is to make sure the bed you select can be easily washed. And some dog beds contain cedar filling, and since cedar is known to repel fleas, this could be an ideal feature to consider. And, finally you should know which the best spot in your home is where you should place the bed and in addition you must also decide between purchasing an indoor bed as too an outdoor bed.