German Sheppard pup
- Thread starter DansMarineTank
- Start date
More background info.... its for my parents as a gaurd dog / protector when my dad is at work as me and my brother have both moved out now (former protectors of the family)
They have never had a dog but our both intellegent and patient people, any advice form german sheppard owners would be great or just general puppy advice would be cool
Thanks
Dan
They have never had a dog but our both intellegent and patient people, any advice form german sheppard owners would be great or just general puppy advice would be cool
Thanks
Dan
Make sure that the dog comes from a good breeder. Meet the parents of the dog and get background info. on them. Have your parents take obedience classes with the dog. I would keep the dog inside, personally. It's safer for the dog than leaving it in the yard.
My dog lives outside all day everyday. It depends on the type of dog you own. A german sheppard can easily survive outside all year. Just so long as it can get out of the direct heat and cold. German sheppards are big dogs, and unless there is plenty of room in the house for it to get around in you should probably leave it outside.
Contact a breeder, and make sure they offer a health certificate that includes hips. GS are prone to dysplasia, which is a crippling disease. Spend some time with the puppies, and pick one that is aggressive, and attentive. You won't want the shy little pup that stays at the back of the pack!
Will the dog have a good run outside? My boys are outside in their run all day, then come inside to be with the family and sleep inside in kennels at night. If it's too cold, they stay inside all day with me running home at lunch for their pee break. Since you want this dog for protection, the more time your parents can spend with it, the better--you want that dog to consider your parents packmates. More time together equals better bonding, and more protective feelings.
I'd also encourage both parents to go to training with the dog. This will be more important for your mom, since she's the one the dog will be protecting, but having your dad there too will be better.
I'd go with a female. IME, females are much more protective than males. My males prtoect THINGS okay, but aren't as worried about people. All the female dogs I've ever owned have been very protective of people, not as worried about things.
Food: a good quality pet food. Research first, as 'expensive' doesn't always mean quality. Ask you vet what they recommend, and see if there's a large breed puppy formula available.
Maintenance: annual trips to the vet. If you aren't familiar with any vets in the area, schedule a visit before getting the dog. Talk with them, and pick one you like. Having a good vet that you're comfortable with is critical! Also, daily exercise! Running around in the yard is one thing, but getting a good walk in is really important, too.
Will the dog have a good run outside? My boys are outside in their run all day, then come inside to be with the family and sleep inside in kennels at night. If it's too cold, they stay inside all day with me running home at lunch for their pee break. Since you want this dog for protection, the more time your parents can spend with it, the better--you want that dog to consider your parents packmates. More time together equals better bonding, and more protective feelings.
I'd also encourage both parents to go to training with the dog. This will be more important for your mom, since she's the one the dog will be protecting, but having your dad there too will be better.
I'd go with a female. IME, females are much more protective than males. My males prtoect THINGS okay, but aren't as worried about people. All the female dogs I've ever owned have been very protective of people, not as worried about things.
Food: a good quality pet food. Research first, as 'expensive' doesn't always mean quality. Ask you vet what they recommend, and see if there's a large breed puppy formula available.
Maintenance: annual trips to the vet. If you aren't familiar with any vets in the area, schedule a visit before getting the dog. Talk with them, and pick one you like. Having a good vet that you're comfortable with is critical! Also, daily exercise! Running around in the yard is one thing, but getting a good walk in is really important, too.
Just to clarify, when I said keep it inside, I meant at night with your parents, not all day long.
As long as they have a place to get out of the direct cold, most big dogs like the German Sheppard can stay outside all year. If you do this make sure to look into buying a heated water dish. Best 16 bucks I ever spent.
I don't dispute that the dog should well be able to tolerate being outside all the time. I just don't think an outside dog offers the same protection and reassurance as an inside dog. My boys bark when they are outside--the neighbors dog, ambulances, hot air balloons, etc. Inside, they only bark when something bad is happening.
OrionGirl said:
Well, I guess I forgot to say that I live out in the country. Sorry :dance2: My dog (soon to be dogs) just stays out no matter what the wether. She lives in an old barn with all the straw she could sleep on.
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
I agree, I believe the dog will be less a protector of the home and your parents than it will the back yard if it's kept outside all the time. I have 2 St. Bernards and a dobie and we all live in harmony in the house, no problems at all (though the females need to be separated but that's another story, nothing that applies here). The females are more protective over the pack leads (people) than the males, the male just loves to have fun.....BUT he can put on a good front if the chips came down to it. I would also suggest training, and it's imperitive that the training is consistent. Compared to the raising of one of each, I found that the male was a bit easier to train but not by too much, the females are just a little more stubborn... but they're worth it.
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