Another Dog Thread
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From: Twilight Zone
Originally posted by Morris
Yellafeva, when I discipline my dog (when she was younger) I would use one finger on top of her nose. But you have to catch them in the act. If you wait too long, (even a minute) they won't associate the act adn the punishment.
You have to crate train your dog. Keep him in the crate at night, take him straight outside in the a.m. If he doesn't go, put him in the crate for 15 minutes. Repeat until he goes where he should, then praise. If you catch him going in the house, wipe or pick up with a paper towel and take the dog and the paper out where you want him to go, and set them both down with the paper in front of him. Eventually he'll understand. Rubbing a dogs nose in their poop doesn't work, is unpleasant for you and the dog.
Yellafeva, when I discipline my dog (when she was younger) I would use one finger on top of her nose. But you have to catch them in the act. If you wait too long, (even a minute) they won't associate the act adn the punishment.
You have to crate train your dog. Keep him in the crate at night, take him straight outside in the a.m. If he doesn't go, put him in the crate for 15 minutes. Repeat until he goes where he should, then praise. If you catch him going in the house, wipe or pick up with a paper towel and take the dog and the paper out where you want him to go, and set them both down with the paper in front of him. Eventually he'll understand. Rubbing a dogs nose in their poop doesn't work, is unpleasant for you and the dog.
I guess I have to now, as there's no way around it. I'll buy it this weekend and start crate-training him. Thanks for all the advice, people!One more thing, I wish dogs weren't so smelly, I'd play with him and pick him up more.
Is it too much to bathe a puppy about 3 times a month? Cats don't smell.
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From: Napa
I went through many dog foods before I found a healthy one with no meat by-products, no road kill and other stuff. It's called Innova, and my dog loves it. Do not feed canned dog food to a shepherd. Get them used to eating dry (maybe a bit of water mixed in) and things will be much easier over the years you have him/her. Another good one is Flint River.
Your dog should not stink (unless he found something interesting adn rolled in it, which dogs will do)
Your dog should not stink (unless he found something interesting adn rolled in it, which dogs will do)
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Chicago (ex London UK)
Daman...you have so many questions!!
I know you want to know all the answers beforehand, but some things you just have to go with your gut on. Trust me, when T and I were thinking about getting our first Boxer, we almost didnt because of all the things we read. We went with our gut instinct and havent regretted a single day of Max ownership! So much so that we now have another, Jake who is 9 months old.
To answer some of your questions that you posed:
Male vs Female - males are larger. neuturing is personal choice. i would say a must in females if you dont want to deal with the seasonal mess - and it has always been professional opinion as far as i know that you should spay a female AFTER their first time in heat. Neuturing a male dog is not necessary. I have two males which are unneutured - they should be all territorial, fighting 24/7, aggressive beasts - but i can show you pics of them spooning together at night. dont be fooled either that neuturing calms a dog down - it doesnt - your uncle will tell you that. Its personal preference. You may want to breed from him in the future.
shedding - to be honest - all dogs will shed - some just more than others. GSDs as you state have two coats - and also will probably have a summer coat and winter coat - hence the seasonal shedding. As I said, I have two very short haired boxers - and they both shed. It is limited to only once or twice a year (noticably), but as Luder stated with Sham - when dogs are sick, worried or stressed - they will shed.
training - this is something that you just have to get a feel for. I have always found that positive training helped in the beginning - ie, rewarding the dog with a treat when they do something right, as opposed to scolding when they do something wrong. If you catch your dog peeing in the house, pick it up whilst its still peeing and put it outside. Keep doing this and it will eventually associate with peeing outside. Dont scold the dog for peeing in the house, reward it when it has finished outside. Crate training is something that I stand behind. Not only does this help with house training, but also provides your dog with a sense of territory.
Temperament - My boxers are the gentlest and loving dogs I know. They are just big babies. They are fearless and protective of me and T, and also, a blast to watch around babies and children. they are so gentle - its as thought they know not to be rough. However, step within 100ft of my house and it sounds like they will rip your throat out! They are also extremely intelligent. Personally, I think that this is something you can have an influence over in your dog - you have to keep their minds stimulated - talk to them - play with them etc.
picking the right one - if at all possible, get your dog from a home breeder. You really should see the parents of the puppies - this will give you the best possible insight into what your dog will look like, in size and possibly color, as well as giving you a good indication of character. with pet store bought puppy, it is really just guesswork. When you are at the breeders, watch the puppies at play. this will give you a good indication of which ones are the quiet ones, which are the dominant ones etc etc. Which you choose is up to you. I have one dog which was the runt of the litter - he is now 85lbs and strong as hell, the other a dominant pup, and he is now 65lbs at 9 months. Big boys for boxers. One thing I would suggest - if you can, let the puppy pick you. see which one comes to you first, which one wants to be around you.
finally - dont over analyze things daman - if you want a dog, just make sure you are comfortable with this animal being in your life for the next 8-10years and go with it. you wont regret it for one second.
hey if you need any advice pm me, or if you wanna come over and be around my dogs and talk, let me know!
Good luck!
I know you want to know all the answers beforehand, but some things you just have to go with your gut on. Trust me, when T and I were thinking about getting our first Boxer, we almost didnt because of all the things we read. We went with our gut instinct and havent regretted a single day of Max ownership! So much so that we now have another, Jake who is 9 months old.
To answer some of your questions that you posed:
Male vs Female - males are larger. neuturing is personal choice. i would say a must in females if you dont want to deal with the seasonal mess - and it has always been professional opinion as far as i know that you should spay a female AFTER their first time in heat. Neuturing a male dog is not necessary. I have two males which are unneutured - they should be all territorial, fighting 24/7, aggressive beasts - but i can show you pics of them spooning together at night. dont be fooled either that neuturing calms a dog down - it doesnt - your uncle will tell you that. Its personal preference. You may want to breed from him in the future.
shedding - to be honest - all dogs will shed - some just more than others. GSDs as you state have two coats - and also will probably have a summer coat and winter coat - hence the seasonal shedding. As I said, I have two very short haired boxers - and they both shed. It is limited to only once or twice a year (noticably), but as Luder stated with Sham - when dogs are sick, worried or stressed - they will shed.
training - this is something that you just have to get a feel for. I have always found that positive training helped in the beginning - ie, rewarding the dog with a treat when they do something right, as opposed to scolding when they do something wrong. If you catch your dog peeing in the house, pick it up whilst its still peeing and put it outside. Keep doing this and it will eventually associate with peeing outside. Dont scold the dog for peeing in the house, reward it when it has finished outside. Crate training is something that I stand behind. Not only does this help with house training, but also provides your dog with a sense of territory.
Temperament - My boxers are the gentlest and loving dogs I know. They are just big babies. They are fearless and protective of me and T, and also, a blast to watch around babies and children. they are so gentle - its as thought they know not to be rough. However, step within 100ft of my house and it sounds like they will rip your throat out! They are also extremely intelligent. Personally, I think that this is something you can have an influence over in your dog - you have to keep their minds stimulated - talk to them - play with them etc.
picking the right one - if at all possible, get your dog from a home breeder. You really should see the parents of the puppies - this will give you the best possible insight into what your dog will look like, in size and possibly color, as well as giving you a good indication of character. with pet store bought puppy, it is really just guesswork. When you are at the breeders, watch the puppies at play. this will give you a good indication of which ones are the quiet ones, which are the dominant ones etc etc. Which you choose is up to you. I have one dog which was the runt of the litter - he is now 85lbs and strong as hell, the other a dominant pup, and he is now 65lbs at 9 months. Big boys for boxers. One thing I would suggest - if you can, let the puppy pick you. see which one comes to you first, which one wants to be around you.
finally - dont over analyze things daman - if you want a dog, just make sure you are comfortable with this animal being in your life for the next 8-10years and go with it. you wont regret it for one second.
hey if you need any advice pm me, or if you wanna come over and be around my dogs and talk, let me know!
Good luck!
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Napa
Shift, DO NOT buy a GS from a pet store, please!!! Get one from a known breeder. The only pet I would buy from a pet store is fish.
Do not let your dog on the furniture. You will be sorry. Plus all your guests will leave with dog hair on their clothes, and hate you for it. (a new lawsuit?)
MY GS sleeps the same night hours I do, plus she sleeps another 4+ hours during the day. If your dog wakes you up, you have to train it not too. My dog will not touch me while I am sleeping, cause the first time she did it, she got an immediate smack on the nose. About 3 of those and she got the idea. She known by my breathing if I am awake or asleep, plus she can probably hear my heart beat. (seriously) She also knows if I am going to work by what clothes I put on. As soon as I pull on my pants, she comes in and sniffs them.
My first GS I had in the city knew it was a weekend because there was no freeway humming in the background. Amazing the way they know things, but logical when you think about it.
Do not let your dog on the furniture. You will be sorry. Plus all your guests will leave with dog hair on their clothes, and hate you for it. (a new lawsuit?)
MY GS sleeps the same night hours I do, plus she sleeps another 4+ hours during the day. If your dog wakes you up, you have to train it not too. My dog will not touch me while I am sleeping, cause the first time she did it, she got an immediate smack on the nose. About 3 of those and she got the idea. She known by my breathing if I am awake or asleep, plus she can probably hear my heart beat. (seriously) She also knows if I am going to work by what clothes I put on. As soon as I pull on my pants, she comes in and sniffs them.
My first GS I had in the city knew it was a weekend because there was no freeway humming in the background. Amazing the way they know things, but logical when you think about it.