Posted on 09/13/2008 4:13:38 PM PDT by garbageguy
Make sure the ingredients on the dog food bag list some kind of meat first. Chicken byproduct, lamb meal, etc. Not corn.
I looked at your profile. Beautiful dogs and I envy you for those 7 years that you wrote about.
I have never experienced a partnership with a GSD before. I had enjoyed the friendship of Dobermans for about 30 years. I love that breed too. After I lost my last guy to old age, (14 wonderful years), I thought I might not ever have another dog.
I changed breeds on this time around and I am very excited about it. Even though the little guy is only 11 1/2 weeks old, I ‘m beginning to feel whole again. Strange to many, but I never feel right without a dog.
Falco is the son of champions. His dad is from Belgium and his mother came from West Germany. Many in his bloodline have achieved Schutzhund III titles. Going back 5 generations, all have at least Schutzhund I. I would love to help him achieve such titles, but my health issues would likely prevent such vigorous competition.... we shall see, I am getting a bit old (60 next month), but I the right contacts, time and I continue to have an attitude. ;>).
Regardless, I WILL fill his brain with many wonderful things, and provide him great experiences, fill his life with love, challenge, adventure and just plain fun.
We have already started to bond and he has already begun to show me how smart, loving and clever he can be. I am very excited about the future with this guy.
Now, about those damn sharp puppy teeth...... ;>)
One more thing, if you weren’t so far away, I stop by and show him off.. and I’d bring the beer. ;>)
"Now, about those damn sharp puppy teeth...... ;>)"
Get the rope bones...
...or make your own out of knotted strips of old towels or washclothes. Saturate them in water and freeze them. The cold, crunchy texture satisfies their need to teeth like nothing else.
My final recommendation is take lots of pictures/video. You can never take enough and regardless of how many you take, the day will ultimately come when you regret not having taken more.
Thanks for the tip. I have been wetting down a bathroom hand cloth, twisting and freezing it. No doubt he’s ready for the rope bones, I’ll start those tomorrow.
Sell the pup and get a kitten.
(Just kidding!)
Pinging the expert...
It’s like having a baby ( with teeth ) all over again.
But they give so much, and ask so little... well, the story of our old girl of 14 years is here
http://www.freedominion.com.pa/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=74906&sid=53a02ae713795e762310186e54861a91
and here
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1777582/posts
And after the silence in the house became unbearable ( strange, how much noise one old dog could make... ) we got another puppy, here
http://www.freedominion.com.pa/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=906601#906601
Just remember- there are no bad dogs- just bad handlers.
( Addenda- the con artists at animal control insisted he was a Collie, but it turns out he’s 90%, maybe pure, Golden Retriever. And all that stuff you hear about Goldens? “So good with old folks & children, because they are so gentle!” Utter hogwash- it’s like having a bolt of lightning in the house... )
That was my first thought, too!! :)
And now for this important DOGGIEPING Announcement!
I've lost my list! I did a deep clean of my computer and I guess inadvertently deleted the folder I kept the ping list in.
If you were previously on my ping list and would still like to be on the list now, please let me know... I am re-building the list from scratch!
I had a Golden girl who (despite arthritis, a fused spinal disc, blindness, and deafness,) could act like a puppy at 15, may she RIP. I have an 8 yo male Golden now who can be roused to puppiness at the sight of a tennis ball.
Second the recommendation on the Monks of New Skete. They do Shepherds (a more sensitive and sharper dog than a Lab), but their techniques work perfectly well on Labs!
You will find an English Lab to be a more mellow and relaxed dog than a field-type Lab, but he will still be a VERY silly and energetic puppy until he's about 2 years old. Give him plenty to do to keep him busy -- he's less likely to find something destructive to do.
One caution on English Labs is that it's very easy to overfeed them. Keep your boy svelte as you can at least until he reaches maturity, because that will help keep joint and bone problems at bay.
And get him into an obedience program with a reputable trainer (ask your breeder or go to an obedience competition and chat with the handlers) as soon as you can. Everyone will be much happier, including the pup, if he knows the rules.
They are VERY energetic and too intelligent for their own good, but a field Golden is an outstanding dog. You just have to give him some time (and give him a job!)
Yes I have advice for you. CRATE TRAIN HIM. He should be either in the crate or under your watchful eyes, control or on a leash at all times for 6 months to a year. Until he’s crate trained.
It will make a difference.
I think you meant for garbageguy to have post 54 to me
Oh. Yes, I did! ack
I just bought another puppy (I have 3 Cocker Spaniels).
I house train all of my dogs very quickly
Take puppy out every 30 minutes
Never scold
Bonding is VERY important in the first 3 months (We raise our dogs like a member of our family)
Make sure your teething pup has plenty of doggie toys. It’s your fault if the puppy chews on your shoes. You need to puppy proof your home.
Forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS!!
You simply MUST post a picture of your baby on the PING when you get him/her home.
When my Labs (7 years and 2 years) want to take a nap -- they head for their crates! If you leave the house and come back in awhile, you'll find them both in their dens.
Orvis makes a chew proof dog bed that really IS chew proof -- and that's what I use in the crate as soon as they have figured out not to go potty in there.
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