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colorchangintiger 
LSU Fan
Thomas Sowell
Member since Nov 2005
17662 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 8:41 am to Fat and Happy)
quote:
Would you want to be kept in a small box for a few hours with a gate right in front of your face?
No, but we're not dogs.
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Pilot Tiger 
Georgetown Fan
Washington DC
Member since Nov 2005
50410 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 8:45 am to Fat and Happy)
quote:
Would you want to be kept in a small box for a few hours with a gate right in front of your face?
would you like to eat the same dog food everyday and roll around in dirt/crap outside?
didnt think so.
you know why?
because we aren't dogs
quote:
Puppies are like babies
no puppies are like puppies
This post was edited on 1/22 at 8:46 am
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b rod lsu 
USA Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
3852 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 8:47 am to Pilot Tiger)
I had a wgs when I was younger. Dog was a real dickhead, and shed like crazy.
good luck.
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TexasTiger05
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2007
26639 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 8:47 am to Drew Orleans)
I'd wait the 4 months to get a new puppy. YOu just got married, have fun with each other before adding something to the mix.
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KG6
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2009
622 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 9:07 am to Drew Orleans)
We got a lab puppy after about 9 months of being married, and we had lived together for over a year before. It's stressful on the relationship sometimes, but not that bad. I would maybe wait a few months before getting one.
It definately opens your eyes to how stressful having a baby will be since it will be 100x more important. Teaches you to learn to communicate your opinions on how to raise a living thing.
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tigers102886
Member since May 2008
327 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 10:24 am to Drew Orleans)
If you want to enjoy Mardi Gras, wait until after to get the puppy. Otherwise, you will be having early nights and missing lots of parades. You pretty much have no social life the first month or two as you work on training.
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SouthOfSouth
LSU Fan
South of I-10 till I die
Member since Jun 2008
19590 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 10:32 am to b rod lsu)
quote:
and shed like crazy.
That's the one thing for me, I couldn't have a dog that did this.
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BurasTigah
LSU Fan
I'm Bored...
Member since Dec 2005
3554 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 10:54 am to Drew Orleans)
Give yourself a year or two. Newly married couple, don't tie yourself down with a dog right away.
Raising a puppy properly is a lot of work, get use to your marriage first. It's a big change even if you have been living with each other before you got married. Don't rush the dog.
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gjackx
LSU Fan
Red Stick
Member since Jan 2007
10521 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 10:55 am to Drew Orleans)
You guys are too recently married...there will be other litters.
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DadFanAlum
LSU Fan
Houston, TX
Member since Oct 2010
859 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 10:57 am to Drew Orleans)
I have a 2 yr old GSD (black and tan) who was a rescue pup. I'll offer advice for you.
First, don't believe most of what you have read in the posts above me. Lots of it is just plain wrong.
Second, go to germansheperds.com and research and read extensively on raising these dogs. They have their own personality traits that are not found in other dogs, especially when it comes to strangers. They are wonderful dogs but they REQUIRE a lot of daily time and attention during the first year and half to raise properly. If you do that, you will have the best dog there is, hands-down.
I encourage you to become a (free) member of that site and discuss your questions there. Everyone there is serious and very helpful about raising GSDs, even though there are spirited discussions and disagreements all the time. You will learn a lot, and you need to do that before getting your dog!
My brief suggestions:
buy from a knowledgeable breeder, not a back yard breeder. This is the only way to get a dog with a stable temperament, good hips, and the appropriate drive for your family situation.
Definitely kennel train; dogs love their kennel because it is their den--the place they can go and feel safe and relax. It is in no way boring or punishment unless you use it incorrectly.
Consider feeding raw--it is much healthier and has huge benefits for you and the dog. Make sure you plan on letting the dog inside with you and the wife daily--they are not happy unless they are with their people.
These dogs shed A LOT--be sure the wife understands that there will be always be dog hair and daily vacuuming will be required.
These dogs form an incredibly close bond with usually only one human--you or your wife. It will love you both, but it will pick who it bonds with.
As a pup, they are called landsharks. They mouth and gnaw constantly for about 9 months. This takes a lot of patience to work through.
I hope you enjoy--these are the best dogs in the world!
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DadFanAlum
LSU Fan
Houston, TX
Member since Oct 2010
859 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 11:03 am to Drew Orleans)
P.S. Just re-read your post. If you get a "him" there is a statistical likelihood that your dog will bond with your wife rather than you. 
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Corkfather 
New Orleans Saints Fan
NOLA/Midland, TX
Member since Sep 2007
16010 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 11:03 am to Fat and Happy)
quote:
Would you want to be kept in a small box for a few hours with a gate right in front of your face? Dont kennel a dog. Gated is fine. Puppies are like babies, they are up for a little while and sleep for a little while. This goes on for about 6 months.
People who say shite like this have bad, yippie fricking dogs.
KENNEL TRAIN, KENNEL TRAIN, KENNEL TRAIN
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TigerBait2008
LSU Fan
Death Valley
Member since Jun 2008
10147 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 11:20 am to Bama and Beer)
quote:
3 year old wiener dog. Just got him fixed. All shots up to date
I will give him to you.
My wife's favorite dog, always on CL trying to find one..
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6nmylifetime 
Alabama Fan
668 Neighbor to the Beast
Member since Nov 2012
275 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 11:42 am to Drew Orleans)
Congrats on the dog. My wife and kids and I have a 2 year old 95 lb male (still has his nuts)Rhodesian Ridgeback that we could not be happier with. We wanted a dog breed that was for specific reasons. Family oriented, high energy, territorial for home protection and large enough to do the job, low grooming maintanance. Apperance of the dog was the last thing on the list of criteria. My best and most highly recomended advice to you is to read the book by Ceasar Milan (the dog wisperer) "Be the Pack Leader". He is not a dog trainer but will explain to you in detail what dogs are thinking and what mistakes to avoid. Especially with a new large breed high energy puppy. He will also show you how that 99% of the issues people have with their dogs are their own fault. Dogs are just like your kids. Your going to get out of them what you put in. If you dont have the time or work ethic to raise him right according to what his breed needs to be content then do the dog and yourself a favor and get him a new home now. If you did your research and your breed is right for you then congrats. If you got your breed because "it looks cool" then best of luck. You're gonna need it.
This post was edited on 1/22 at 11:49 am
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6nmylifetime
Alabama Fan
668 Neighbor to the Beast
Member since Nov 2012
275 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 11:46 am to Corkfather)
quote:
Would you want to be kept in a small box for a few hours with a gate right in front of your face?
It cracks me up when people humanize a dog. Common mistake that drives me nuts. To a dog stroking and petting is reward. When I see a dog that is scared or unstable and the owner strokes it and talks baby talk to it to try and calm it down the owner is just reinforcing the behavior with reward. It's not a human. You cant rationalize with a dog. It knows two things reward and punishment or in other terms dominance and submission.
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Drew Orleans
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2010
13647 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 1:41 pm to b rod lsu)
Did you have him from when he was a puppy?
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Drew Orleans
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2010
13647 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 2:17 pm to DadFanAlum)
He will be an indoor dog btw. I will let him out a lot and will play with him daily but he will sleep inside.
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Drew Orleans
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2010
13647 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 2:31 pm to DadFanAlum)
BTW, thank a ton for the info.
Any books or anything I should read?
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gorillaballin
LSU Fan
uptown nola y'heard
Member since Dec 2007
381 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 2:41 pm to Drew Orleans)
I was giving some serious thought to getting a WGS not too long ago but I live in Nola in 1/2 of a shotgun style house (about 850 Sq Feet) and I really worried about my place being enough space for a German Shepherd. I'm active and exercise a lot and would also utilize doggy day care but I still worry. Are any of y'all GS owners in a similar living situation? I'm now leaning towards getting a lab but for sure waiting until after Mardi Gras. I don't think its a good idea to get a new pup if you are planning on being out a lot and/or letting people stay at your place.
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Drew Orleans
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2010
13647 posts
| re: Thoughts on getting a puppy (Updaqte page 5) (Posted on 1/22/13 at 2:52 pm to gorillaballin)
I wouldn't get a WGS if you are in a place like that.
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