German shepherd puppy training

superfish

hi guys I got a german shepherd puppy its a female and shes 9 weeks old, I already have a sharpei and was very uncertain if I should get another dog as he is old and grumpy around other dogs but I must say he has taken to her very well so I am happy in that respect, the problem im having is she is constantly biting my hands and face ive tried making a loud yelp when she does it but she just thinks thats a game now, and today I held down on her muzzle until she let out a small yelp and I said no, the problem is I know she is only young and may grow out of this but my girlfriend gets hurt by it, I would never slap a dog as I think it is totally unfair so does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this or should I just keep doing what im doing ?

also Im feeding her 3 half cups of puppy nuts a day is this enough ? im feeding her by hand also so that she learns to associate peoples hands with food and does not bite in the future if she has a bone

as for house training im on top of the toilet thing as she has only had one accident since I got her and I did not tell her off as I did not catch her in the act, some one suggested rubbing her nose in it and chastising her, I dont see the point in this as I think it will make an idiot out of her

she is also in the habit of chewing wires so any help to stop this would be great

other than the above she is a very good dog with an amazing temperament she has already bonded with me very much so any advice on training the breed would be of great help thank you

also this morning she came running into the kitchen with my 500 euro phone in her mouth lol my fault for leaving it around but I want to stop this behavior before she gets any older even though its funny to watch now

Toulouse

Everything you need to know is here http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/digital-dog-training-textbook

Also let us know where you are and maybe we can recommend a good obedience class for you.

andreac

I thought you had decided against getting another dog with your Shar Pei being old?

Ok firstly, stop feeding the dog from your hand, as this will only encourage a dog to be a fussy eater and secondly stop holding the dog by the muzzle as this is not the way to handle this type of behaviour.

I suggest you get a good book about raising puppies and do a lot of reading up on them.

Do not under any circumstances rub a pups nose in its own dirt or urine, its not making an idiot out of her, its cruel and a very outdated method.

Any accidents that happen in the house are down to you as the owner and you should be making sure the pup is let out enough to go to the toilet.
I suggest crate training too as its great for toilet training.

Pups take months and months to train so you need to be patient and be consistant.
I highly suggest training classes, for socialistion more than anything as german shepherds need plenty of that from a young age.

Regarding the food, you need to go by the guide on the bag and feed what they recommend and a 9 week old pup should be fed at least 4 times a day at the moment.
Make sure you dont bring the pup out for a walk until its had all its vaccinations too.

are you serious

In the area of toilet training, i had to wait for a couple of months for my fella to cop on that i wanted him to use the back garden and not the kitchen! In the end i found that whenever i was home the best hing to do was to leave the back door open.. instant success he never uses the house anymore and if i forget to leave the door open for him he'l just sit at the door and either cry or bark.

As for the biting your girlfriend and it hurting.. again i had the same issue. When this happens is it during play time? My lad was always biting but i found it was always during play time, take a step back and look at the play time, is it more on the rough side of play? if so your pup will think that it is ok to bite and it will just make her more hyper, biting with puppies is how they play you just need to stop the play when your pup starts biting, let her calm down and by all means then start playing again.

Sittingpretty

Welcome to the world of the German Shepherd puppy!

Regarding the toilet training as someone already pointed out the rubbing of the nose thing is just wrong and most people give this advice as they have been misguided themselves. At 9 weeks old the pup needs plenty of trips outside to go to the loo and I would advise high praise when she goes outside. Sheps are very eager to please and she will love the praise and associate it with her going to the loo outdoors.
When she goes indoors if you catch her or not, say nothing, just allow her outside and clean up (biological washing powder is best for this as it kills the scent of ammonia - do not use bleach as this has the opposite effect). Crate training is also highly recommended and my Shep still sleeps in her crate and loves it. THere are loads of threads on here with excellent advice on crate training.

With regard to the nipping and mouthing, again a shep trait, you are correct in yelping loudly when she does this, also turn away from her so she knows whatever game was being played is over when she mouths and nips. This will continue for a while and is very normal puppy behaviour. With regard to the phone, unfortunately that is your lookout, she doesn't know it's a phone or that it cost €500, I have learned MANY the hard lesson this way most annoyingly a pair of very expensive shoes and my childhood teddybear in absolute FLITTERS! My fault, I left them out so you will just have to be careful of what you leave around within her range of access!

For feeding, follow the guide on your food but to be honest in my experience anyway with my own shepherd she was never a big eater and never wolfed food and she was always on the lean side regardless of what or how many times she is offered food but once you stick to the guidelines for her age and breed she should be just fine.

Best of luck with her, they are a fantastic breed of dog, I will always have a shep in my life.

Also please post a pic if you can

superfish

thanks for all the help guys here are some pics of her https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/417154/155773.jpg

https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/417154/155774.jpg

im glad to hear its just a play thing the biting, as for the toilet training shes great shes already taking herself outside to do the business plus like you guys say its my fault if she wees in the house but that wont happen as im wit her 24/7 at the moment and take her outside on the hour Ive even got up at 5am the past 2 nights to let her out as im already crate training but only put her in the crate on a night time next to my bed.

I took her to the park today wit my other lad but carried her most the way I let her walk for about 3 mins max because the guy I bought her from said shes had her shots and all she needs now is a booster in 3 week or so he gave me a receipt stamped by the vet to prove it and everyone told me she would be fine out and about now although not to take her for long walks until she is older as they can suffer from hip problems

I had previously decided not to bother with another dog because of my fella being old but after someone told me a pup would breathe new life into him so I brought him to see her and he took to her immediately hes so happy with her and its the first time ive ever seen him play with another dog

as for the biting im going to stick with the yelp and endgame method Im a firm believer in showering you dog with love to get respect rather than havin a dog fear you from hitting or rubbing its face in its own mess ( yes I thought that was a stupid Idea and personally would never do it to any dog I just want this dog to have the best life possible with me thats why im after the advice plus last time I had a pup was 7 years ago so a bit rusty on the training but I made a wonderful dog the first time round


as for the socializing with other dogs I keep brining her around to two of my friends houses as they have terriers and they are extremely placid and took to my bailey straight away they also have children there and bailey was fine with them too. I will take bailey to obedience classes when she is old enough im in mayo if anyone knows of any decent place to take her, ive the vet calling today just to check her out so fingers crossed

Shanao

Do not take her outside again until she has her booster shot!!! I cannot stress this enough, lepto, parvo etc are fatal if contracted and her immunity is in no way strong enough to fight them off at only nine weeks of age!! Do not have her with other dogs outside of your own house at all until she has this booster, and to be safest, you would be best off getting her the kennel cough vaccination before letting her mix with other dogs in the park.

At her age, the most she should be walked is five minutes- five minutes per month of their life is the best way to think of it, and like you said, shep's are prone to hip and elbow problems.

But seriously, for all of your sakes, do not take her out again until she has the booster. I've seen pups die from parvovirus and leptospirosis because people took them out without their full vaccines, its heartbreaking.

superfish

Shanao wrote: »

Do not take her outside again until she has her booster shot!!! I cannot stress this enough, lepto, parvo etc are fatal if contracted and her immunity is in no way strong enough to fight them off at only nine weeks of age!! Do not have her with other dogs outside of your own house at all until she has this booster, and to be safest, you would be best off getting her the kennel cough vaccination before letting her mix with other dogs in the park.

At her age, the most she should be walked is five minutes- five minutes per month of their life is the best way to think of it, and like you said, shep's are prone to hip and elbow problems.

But seriously, for all of your sakes, do not take her out again until she has the booster. I've seen pups die from parvovirus and leptospirosis because people took them out without their full vaccines, its heartbreaking.

my hearts thumping now ive just got the papers and it says on the 29th of march she had a shot called "nobivac parvo-c, the guy told me that was all the shots and she just needed a booster in 3 week

im so worried now ive had her with all my mates dogs plus shes constantly in my own back garden with my other fella

the vet is comming today do you think she will be ok ??

Shanao

Okay sorry I overreacted there a bit, didn't mean to panic you. As long as the other dogs have been vaccinated she should be fine, but I wouldn't take her out again for a while. Is he giving her the booster today? As far as i know nobivac only covers her for parvovirus, she should have had the seven in one vaccination (though i think its an eight in one now) which covers all the major diseases. She should have had that the first vaccination at eight weeks, and the booster isn't until between the eleventh and twelfth week. Is the nobivac the only vaccination she's had? Definitely mention that to the vet, sounds like you'll have to start all over with the vaccination course.

Sittingpretty

superfish wrote: »

my hearts thumping now ive just got the papers and it says on the 29th of march she had a shot called "nobivac parvo-c, the guy told me that was all the shots and she just needed a booster in 3 week

im so worried now ive had her with all my mates dogs plus shes constantly in my own back garden with my other fella

the vet is comming today do you think she will be ok ??

Don't panic Superfish, if the vet is coming today anyways just check with him/her regarding her vaccinations and they will see you right.

She is one BEAUTY of a pupster!

superfish

thanks guys I felt sick in my stomach for a few mins there, yea the nobivac is the only one shes had the vet is coming out because I just wanted her to check all was ok with the new pup and my big lad needs a check up, here is a picture of the two of them together in the woods today https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/417154/155777.jpg

an yea shes a beauty she was the biggest in the litter her paws are huge her mam and dad were two fine looking dogs


guys thanks a mill for the advice

andreac

Def do not take this pup anywhere else bar your own garden until she has had all her shots, her last vaccine in 3 weeks is the last one so she hasnt had all her shots.
Puppy shots come in a course so until they have the last one and not until 2 weeks after the last one are they allowed outside in public.

Edit to add, if shes only had parvo vaccine then she needs 2 more sets of injections, with 2 weeks in between them.

superfish

andreac wrote: »

Def do not take this pup anywhere else bar your own garden until she has had all her shots, her last vaccine in 3 weeks is the last one so she hasnt had all her shots.
Puppy shots come in a course so until they have the last one and not until 2 weeks after the last one are they allowed outside in public.

Edit to add, if shes only had parvo vaccine then she needs 2 more sets of injections, with 2 weeks in between them.

thank you so much for all your help another quick question can you feed her anything other than the dried puppy nuts ? I gave her a small piece of boild bacon fat

also today I put a small spoon of cod liver oil over her nuts for her joints is this ok ?

ISDW

Best of luck and congratulations with the new pup.

Have to say, alarm bells are ringing about the breeder though if you were told the dog had all its shots, and just needed a booster, as has already been explained, pups need the whole course of injections. Most breeders will give the parvo vacc at 6 weeks, then the 5 or 7-in-1 at 8 weeks, with the 'booster' 2 weeks later. A good breeder would explain all that. They shouldn't get their second lot of 5 or 7-in-1 until they are at least 10 weeks old. Did the parents have the relevant health checks for GSDs, hip scores especially?

andreac

superfish wrote: »

thank you so much for all your help another quick question can you feed her anything other than the dried puppy nuts ? I gave her a small piece of boild bacon fat

also today I put a small spoon of cod liver oil over her nuts for her joints is this ok ?

No, you are best to just feed a good quality, complete dried puppy food. They dont need anything else.
Try avoid the likes of bacon etc as its very salty.

If you start feeding extras they will expect it all the time and you will create a fussy eater that will only eat the special food, so start as you mean to go on.

Cod liver is fine, and i would always recommend feeding some sort of oil as its great for their coat and joints.

superfish

ISDW wrote: »

Best of luck and congratulations with the new pup.

Have to say, alarm bells are ringing about the breeder though if you were told the dog had all its shots, and just needed a booster, as has already been explained, pups need the whole course of injections. Most breeders will give the parvo vacc at 6 weeks, then the 5 or 7-in-1 at 8 weeks, with the 'booster' 2 weeks later. A good breeder would explain all that. They shouldn't get their second lot of 5 or 7-in-1 until they are at least 10 weeks old. Did the parents have the relevant health checks for GSDs, hip scores especially?

hi isdw I never asked about a hip score ? there was an acre or so of land where they were kept and I met both the parents the farther was an older dog and he was in great health running the length of the field with ease (no apparent hip problems) both parents were of great temperament and greeted me as soon as I arrived I just trusted the guy I bought her from because I thought why would he lie about something so important ?? I would not mind paying for all the shots if I had to just he said she just needs a booster and thats it should I ring him again and ask exactly what she has had or jst ask the vet ??

andreac

superfish wrote: »

hi isdw I never asked about a hip score ? there was an acre or so of land where they were kept and I met both the parents the farther was an older dog and he was in great health running the length of the field with ease (no apparent hip problems) both parents were of great temperament and greeted me as soon as I arrived I just trusted the guy I bought her from because I thought why would he lie about something so important ?? I would not mind paying for all the shots if I had to just he said she just needs a booster and thats it should I ring him again and ask exactly what she has had or jst ask the vet ??

Just because a dog looks healthy doesnt mean it is. German shepherds suffer very badly with their hips and thats why its so important for the parents to be health tested before breeding.
Just because you saw a dog running doesnt mean it hasnt got hip problems. Both parents should be hip scored to potentially lessen the risk of passing on hip problems to their pups.
How much research did you do with trying to find a good breeder? Its very important when buying a pedigree dog to ensure you buy from a breeder that health tests.
Are the parents IKC registered and is he registering the pup for you?

This is all stuff that should be done before buying a pup, not after.

ISDW

superfish wrote: »

my hearts thumping now ive just got the papers and it says on the 29th of march she had a shot called "nobivac parvo-c, the guy told me that was all the shots and she just needed a booster in 3 week

im so worried now ive had her with all my mates dogs plus shes constantly in my own back garden with my other fella

the vet is comming today do you think she will be ok ??

Sorry to go back and quote again, but this is so wrong.

Your pup hasn't had her injections. That one you have is just the parvo vacc, which I give to puppies at 6 weeks. She should then have had the Lepto and DHPPi at 8/9 weeks. She has got no protection whatsoever, the breeder has lied to you big time. Please don't take her out anywhere now, until she has had her 2 lots of injections. Talk to your vet, he/she will give the first vaccination today, and then a booster in 2 weeks, but then you still need to wait another week or two before you can take the puppy out anywhere. I also wouldn't be allowing her to mix with another dogs except your own. If she had received her first lot of vaccinations, then maybe she could mix with your friends dogs, but personally I wouldn't be taking the risk.

You ask why the breeder would lie about something so important - that is what back yard breeders and puppy farmers do I'm afraid. There is no guarantee that the dogs you saw in his home are even your pups' parents. When you say the Sire is an older dog, how old is he?

superfish

andreac wrote: »

Just because a dog looks healthy doesnt mean it is. German shepherds suffer very badly with their hips and thats why its so important for the parents to be health tested before breeding.
Just because you saw a dog running doesnt mean it hasnt got hip problems. Both parents should be hip scored to potentially lessen the risk of passing on hip problems to their pups.
How much research did you do with trying to find a good breeder? Its very important when buying a pedigree dog to ensure you buy from a breeder that health tests.
Are the parents IKC registered and is he registering the pup for you?

This is all stuff that should be done before buying a pup, not after.

I did a fair bit of reading up on the breed just I rushed into buying one the people I bought it from were not breeders they were just two family pets who had a litter, its too late now for regret whatever happens il deal with it in the best possible way, the vet just called out there and told me she is in great health and a fine specimen she has two sets of shots left to get shes booked in next week.

ISDW

superfish wrote: »

I did a fair bit of reading up on the breed just I rushed into buying one the people I bought it from were not breeders they were just two family pets who had a litter, its too late now for regret whatever happens il deal with it in the best possible way, the vet just called out there and told me she is in great health and a fine specimen she has two sets of shots left to get shes booked in next week.

What? Why couldn't the vet give her the injection today? I'm totally confused, if she has only had the parvo-C up to now, she needs vaccinating asap.

Look, best of luck with her, I hope the people were genuine, but that is the oldest story in the book.

superfish

ISDW wrote: »

What? Why couldn't the vet give her the injection today? I'm totally confused, if she has only had the parvo-C up to now, she needs vaccinating asap.

Look, best of luck with her, I hope the people were genuine, but that is the oldest story in the book.

the vet looked at the date on the card and said what she has had is like a 12week temp vaccination against parvo, she said she cant have the shots until next week now, she also said that she is fine with my other dog and out in my back garden but not to bring her anywhere else

here is a link to the ad where I got her from her farther was the light colored one http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/dogs/2040117

TwilightWillow

Alarm bells start ringing when he doesn't even spell SHEPHERD correctly. Just make sure that you don't take your little one out with other dogs for a couple of weeks until your 100% certain that she has had her shots.

She's gorgeous btw! So jealous!

ISDW

superfish wrote: »

the vet looked at the date on the card and said what she has had is like a 12week temp vaccination against parvo, she said she cant have the shots until next week now, she also said that she is fine with my other dog and out in my back garden but not to bring her anywhere else

here is a link to the ad where I got her from her farther was the light colored one http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/dogs/2040117

This is so worrying. I had a huge discussion with my vet only this morning about puppy vaccinations, after a chat I'd had with a boarding kennels. She actually showed me the data and information from the vaccination company as to when each vaccination can be given. Obviously I am not a trained vet, and the one that came to your house today is, but I have never, ever heard that about a 12 week temp vaccination which means that you cannot then vaccinate the puppy against the other life threatening diseases. You learn something new every day (or do you?) Honestly, if it was me, I'd be phoning another vet practice and asking their advice.

Shanao

I'd be getting a second opinion as well if i were you, I did veterinary nursing for a while and I haven't heard of a twelve week temp vaccination against parvovirus. And although the vet says you can let her out, even your back garden wouldn't be safe without the 7in1. Canine distemper can be carried in the air, and on our clothes, and leptospirosis can be found pretty much anywhere that even a single rat might have access to. Like ISDW said, I would give another practice a call and see what they say. She shouldn't even be outside at all without so much as the first vaccine

superfish

just rung castlebar animal hospital for a second opinion and he said she was fine that they cant have the 7 in 1 until atleast 10 weeks, he said she will be fine in my back garden just not to take her out again

thank god panic over lol

ISDW

superfish wrote: »

just rung castlebar animal hospital for a second opinion and he said she was fine that they cant have the 7 in 1 until atleast 10 weeks, he said she will be fine in my back garden just not to take her out again

thank god panic over lol

OK, but I find this incredibly weird. All of my dogs have had their first vaccinations around the 8/9 week mark. They can't have the second 7 in 1 vaccination until at least 10 weeks, but can definitely have the first one before that. I bought a dog from a breeder in the UK, he was 9 weeks old when we got him, and he had already had his first vaccination. I have recently had this discussion on a husky forum and all of the breeders on there were the same, first 7 in 1 at 8 weeks of age. It is very, very worrying that the 2 vets that you have spoken to are so far behind, this thing about them not having their second vacc until at least 12 weeks is completely out of date.

I hope your dog stays well and grows up into a lovely healthy dog and that you have many years together.

superfish

ISDW wrote: »

OK, but I find this incredibly weird. All of my dogs have had their first vaccinations around the 8/9 week mark. They can't have the second 7 in 1 vaccination until at least 10 weeks, but can definitely have the first one before that. I bought a dog from a breeder in the UK, he was 9 weeks old when we got him, and he had already had his first vaccination. I have recently had this discussion on a husky forum and all of the breeders on there were the same, first 7 in 1 at 8 weeks of age. It is very, very worrying that the 2 vets that you have spoken to are so far behind, this thing about them not having their second vacc until at least 12 weeks is completely out of date.

I hope your dog stays well and grows up into a lovely healthy dog and that you have many years together.

I hope so too id be heart broken if anything happened to either of them I prefer a dogs company to people lol im amazed how well the two of them are getting on playing tug of war lol I must say my sharpei is rather taken with her already im getting them both shots next week cheers for all the concern and help guys

portgirl123

superfish wrote: »

just rung castlebar animal hospital for a second opinion and he said she was fine that they cant have the 7 in 1 until atleast 10 weeks, he said she will be fine in my back garden just not to take her out again

thank god panic over lol

sorry but what a load of bull. the 7-1 can and should be giving at 8 weeks. Reaaly dint know what sort of vets you are using. we have a 6 month old GSD and the sooner you get them FULLY vac the better as they need to be sociallised prob, and the younger this can start the better.

Kaylami

hi superfish,

My gsd is 5 months now and when we first got her she jumped up and snapped her teeth together and chewed hands as well. now she wasn't trying to bite when she jumped because we were nowhere near her she just did it out of excitement.

we got a dog trainer to come to the house and help us train her and she stopped after 2 lessons. She sometimes still takes hands into her mouth but doesn't bite and the trainer told us this could be a thing some dogs do called "mouthing". Its so important as other posters have said to get her vaccinated asap and get her socialising.

I attached a pic of Ziva out enjoying the sunshine!

superfish

portgirl123 wrote: »

sorry but what a load of bull. the 7-1 can and should be giving at 8 weeks. Reaaly dint know what sort of vets you are using. we have a 6 month old GSD and the sooner you get them FULLY vac the better as they need to be sociallised prob, and the younger this can start the better.

im confused now as both vets said 10 week for the 7in 1 and 3 to 4 for the parvo and both vets were from different areas ? also I rung back the guy I bought her from and he also claims his vet is saying the exact same, she will be getting the shots now on friday anyway and she is still in great health

Kaylami wrote: »

hi superfish,

My gsd is 5 months now and when we first got her she jumped up and snapped her teeth together and chewed hands as well. now she wasn't trying to bite when she jumped because we were nowhere near her she just did it out of excitement.

we got a dog trainer to come to the house and help us train her and she stopped after 2 lessons. She sometimes still takes hands into her mouth but doesn't bite and the trainer told us this could be a thing some dogs do called "mouthing". Its so important as other posters have said to get her vaccinated asap and get her socialising.

I attached a pic of Ziva out enjoying the sunshine!

omg wow ziva is beautiful I hope my girl turns out like that, to be honest I dont think the biting will be a huge problem she has already learned to go outside for the toilet im amazed, I was playing with her today and she just jumped up and ran from my living room and straight out the back door for a wee, what an intelligent animal we only had one accident during her training and that was my fault for not keeping an eye on her, im teaching her to sit now before she gets food and she seems to understand it already

Mathew11

It is funny to watch the innocence of the puppies, but it could turn into nuisance when they grow up. Look for a puppy trainer through internet and take tips on online puppy training, by this you can train your puppy on your own.

ISDW

Mathew11 wrote: »

It is funny to watch the innocence of the puppies, but it could turn into nuisance when they grow up. Look for a puppy trainer through internet and take tips on online puppy training, by this you can train your puppy on your own.

But then the pup won't be interacting with other dogs while being trained. Puppy socialisation classes are the best way to go, and obedience with other dogs around, our dogs meet other dogs when they are out and about, so I believe they should be trained around other dogs.