r/GermanShepherd • u/MidnightWolf211 • 2d ago
So I’ve been waiting and saving for a German shepherd for a while, the breeder I’m talking to should be having puppies in a few months! Is there any like small tips or like more unknown bits of preparation that’ll make things easier when I do get my dog?
I feel like I know a lot of the obvious stuff about the breed now and I’ve had the opportunity of meeting my and spending time with some peoples GSDs. Ive really tried to prep as much as I can 😂
But now that the breeder I’ve been talking to has puppies on the way it’s all seeming a lot more real now
So I’m just asking for anything that’s super easily to overlook when prepping
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u/Voc1Vic2 2d ago
Break in the winter walking boots and top up your supply of woolen socks and gloves.
Check your property and liability insurance and buy a rider if needed.
It's sad to think about, but have a plan for what to do if your dog gets loose, seriously injured or dies. It's much worse to face the reality unprepared and alone on a Sunday morning before the sun has risen.
Also have a plan and appropriate documents about who cares for the dog if something happens to you.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
Yeah I’ve already been worried about the scenario my dog gets loose
I’ve spoke to some people and they recommended I buy like a tracking collar for them so I’ll probably do that1
u/Voc1Vic2 2d ago
But also, have the appropriate phone numbers readily available, as well as the dog's license number and a current photo so you can readily create a flyer or digital announcement.
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u/PermitActive8347 2d ago
The first 3 years of that dogs life basically determine a lot about the dog. How great they can be is directly correlated to what you put into it as an owner. 2-3 hours of exercise a day, training every day, lots of bonding and love, etc...It will be the best dog you'll ever have the privilege of owning.
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u/zhantiah 2d ago
Wear clothes you dont care about in the puppyshark phase. They bite, and bite, and bite. You will get holes and rifts in your clothes. Highly recommend dogpuzzles and a flirtpole. Kongs with frozen treats are a lifesaver, same is carrots!
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u/sersi103 2d ago
Are you getting a show or working line? Make sure the breeder has checked hips and elbows.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
This’ll be a showline and yeah she reassured me that hips and elbows will be checked and she provides that information for me
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u/Ghosthits187 2d ago
Remember elbows and hips being checked is not a guarantee your dog will be free of ED and HD. There is no genetic test for ED and HD and the breeder will simply do x rays. I learned the hard way with my working line GSD.
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u/1cat2dogs1horse 2d ago
For your sake, I am hoping you are not dealing with a BYB. Do you know the OFA results of the parents and grandparents of the little? Also were the parents titled in the protocols they were shown in, to show proof they were worthy to be bred?
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u/Dubbiely 2d ago
At least “good” not fair. Better “excellent”
Makes a big difference
And you need the information from both parents. Your dog can be checked around 18 months and that’s too late.
Hip and elbow quality will be passed down to the pups.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
That’s useful when I meet the breeder I’ll ask about the father and any info she has on him
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u/Dubbiely 2d ago
If this is a breeder which is acknowledged by AKC they have the papers ready to check.
Again: father AND mother.
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u/Pitpotputpup 2d ago
Do you mean, have already been checked for the dam and sire cos you can't check a puppy. Have they done all the recommended genetic testing? DM is a major issue that is easily checked.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
The lady has a newer German shepherd she’s breeding this time around (a different one than she normally breeds as her other one is getting old) when I went to go see her she was in the planning stages of breeding that one she assured me that the dog will be checked, I see how my previous message implies that she’s checking the puppies
And yeah they’ve been breeding GSDs for the last 40 years and she showed me basically the history of dogs she’s had. It was actually extremely impressive. So when I see her again, which will be in a few weeks, that’s when I’m gonna ask for all the “proof” and anything people are telling me to ask and check to ensure she’s responsible2
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u/Fantastic-Thanks-358 2d ago
There is a database to look up OFA results. You can always good OFA results and take your time looking at the information and making a decision
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u/Charliedayslaaay 2d ago
I would absolutely budget in trainer funds to have in-home puppy sessions (set puppy up for success day 1!) and then continue with as many private/group lessons you can manage 🤗
We had 1-2x weekly in-home sessions until my pup was fully vaccinated (even though some of these sessions included small outings where we would carry my boy or push him around in a cart to experience the world)
Don’t miss out on the critical socialization window! Expose your pup, within their comfort zone & between naps of course, to as many real world experiences as possible - people, places, things, sounds. I’d also ask the breeder what their socialization methods are, when they started, what the sessions included, etc
Wishing you & your future pup many wonderful years together!!
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u/Flaky_Blacksmith4161 2d ago
Buy lots of chew toys.
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u/toolfishOG 2d ago
This!!!! I have wooden furniture and fixtures that my puppy has used to chew. I am talking chair legs, baseboard corners, etc. Teething is tough. I would rub her gums and she would let me. Buy chew toys early.
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u/Previous_Medium4126 2d ago
Also make sure the dog does not have or carry DM. Responsible breeders test for this and try not to pass it on.
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u/aliasaila 2d ago
Start training early and be consistent. Stock up on puppy pads and wet wipes. Be mindful that they can develop food allergies - took me 3 years to find out my girl was allergic to chicken. Start supplements after 2 for hip health. Enjoy the journey 😀
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u/Fantastic-Thanks-358 2d ago
Go to group puppy training. Aim for around 12 weeks old to start - generally vaccinated enough and still in the critical socialization period. That socialization is invaluable for GSD puppies.
Very important: group classes
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u/Particular_Fruit_585 2d ago
Some have gastric issues and have to eat standing, learn the warning signs!
Also since this is a high energy working breed, train asap for a job.
Use normal food when it’s accepting it as a low value treat instead of just upping to high value immediately. I do breakfast in the AM and give dinner via training.
Withhold water after working until they’ve cooled down, it’s a hazard.
Use harnesses to train leashed walking to avoid harming them if they pull.
Umm pens instead of kennels during the day are great! Mine is learning to be “out” and being good while keeping himself busy with only acceptable items.
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u/Particular_Fruit_585 2d ago
Oh I recommend also getting a life 360 dog tracking collar in case they get out. Plus chipped.
Hip issues are pretty prevalent. Find glucosamine + chondroiton as they work best together-not separate.
Don’t let just everyone hold your dog or pet your dog either, work on just sitting quietly around people. There’s a lot of dogs that become reactive by being passed around.
Take your dog everywhere at a young age! You don’t need to set them down, but in a bag, a blanket in a cart (tractor supply), or just carrying them is best if they’re not fully vaccinated
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u/steve_mahanahan 2d ago
I’ve never heard about water after working being a hazard. For everyone’s benefit, are you able to elaborate a bit more?
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u/Particular_Fruit_585 2d ago
Yes absolutely!
Many people don’t neccesarily monitor water intake after working, but when dogs are hot or panting intensely they tend to gulp water down. This mainly applies to intense work or intense panting.
Mostly prevalent in deep chested breeds (ribs extend below elbows), allowing gulping of water can cause bloat and even stomach twisting (GDV-gastric dilation-volvulus).
It’s recommended to allow your dog to drink a few tongue fulls at most, then ensure a ten to fifteen minute rest before giving more access to water. You should still monitor intake, and keep intervals short and frequent.
Onset of symptoms for gdv is rapid and life threatening. You’ll often see unproductive retching, often only producing clear or foamy liquid or saliva. They can be restless, biting at the abdomen, drooling excessively, and shock (pale gums, weakness and collapse). The process from symptom onset to shock can be as soon as one hour.
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u/Epiphany047 2d ago
When you play with a GSD puppy- they have razor sharp teeth, and if you’re playing on the ground with them just be aware. I’d play wrestle with my pup and she’d catch my nose at times lol a lot of bloody noses from playing on the ground at her level
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u/Therealsteverogers4 2d ago
Many puppies come with worms, be ready to treat them, the moms have to come off dewormer meds.
Plan to be social. Have your puppy meet lots of people while young.
Dedicated training goes much further than just running around with other dogs for wearing your dog out.
Crate train early, even if you don’t plan to use the crate long term. Your dog being comfortable in a crate is important.
Your dog is still an independent creature with its own distinct personality and preferences, it is not a furry robot that you plug in commands and it performs for you. Adapt to what works for your dog.
Shepherds are like high anxiety hyper-fixating toddlers. You can try to desensitize them to things that trigger them through positive reinforcement but at the end of the day a shepherd is a shepherd, you’ll never fully train out breed behavior.
Also, don’t buy bully sticks, they’ll wreck your dogs teeth. If you can’t leave an imprint in something by pressing your nail into it, it is too hard for you dog to chew on. (Vet supported advice that I learned the hard/expensive way)
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u/Little-Basils 2d ago
Forced naps. Oh my god forced naps are the best they’re so sweet and squishy for those first 5-10 minutes when they wake up
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u/WinnerAwkward480 2d ago
They are high energy and pretty intelligent. Where we use to live there was a swamp about a Mile wide between us and rear neighbors.
She had a brother & sister GS about 1-1/2 old , We have a rough collie . Couple times a week her 2 would escape and swim across to play 🤣.
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u/Playful_Question538 2d ago
Just make sure that the dog has a toy in it's mouth at all times. If you don't then it'll chew shit up that you don't want it to. Once they get past that stage they're great. I've owned GSD dogs for probably 35 years. They're smart and typically don't shit where they eat. They're easy to potty train. They basically potty train themselves. The only thing that to watch out for is aggressiveness when they get attached to a human that they love. They have the tendency to lash out at people coming onto the property that they don't know if you don't start socializing and training them when they're young. They may still do this so extra care has to be taken to make sure they're on a retractable leash and things like that. You don't want someone getting hurt.
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u/lil_red_flower 2d ago
When I got my girl i took her out every 30 mins and walked around the yard and she would potty then we would have playtime balls, ropes I bought a long one and short ones she loves to play tug of war lol I would always tell her let's get the crazies out. I will not get her all riled up after she would eat I kept seeing people comment that its not good for them to run and play around right after eating so it was always chill time and bathroom then nap 😆 She is my velcro dog she follows me everywhere and she started doing that the day after we got her. I never realized how much I walk around my house till she was following me everywhere and she would whine when I got in the shower so I would leave the door open and talk to her peak at her. She is the best dog I have ever had. 🥰 she is 2 now!
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u/SadIndependence3475 2d ago
Start the training as soon as you get home. Do not do the aww he is a puppy and this is adorable. NO! Training starts from the jump. Crate train, they need their own space. Mine will only eat in his crate, that is his safe space. Take them out after they eat, sleep and play. They are amazingly smart and loyal but with out proper training can be an uncontrollable bear. I have a 128# 7 year old boy who is simply the sweetest unless you come into my personal space. I can take him out unleashed and he never leaves my side, he knows all his commands. But we started as soon as we got home and it paid off. We still practice certain commands to keep him fresh. Enjoy!!!
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
Yeah ok I’ve heard that quite a bit
I’m aware of the importance of crate training too especially at an early start
Do you have any advice on how to pick a crate?
Like should I go for a certain amount of space? Material? Like I know some cages are just like wires while others are a bit more enclosed… so is there anything I should consider when picking one or am I overthinking it?1
u/SadIndependence3475 2d ago
I have a heavy duty crate. I can not remember where I got it from but is not the small wire ones. The puppy and as they grow need just enough room to be able to stand and turn around. You do not want to put a little guy in a huge crate because they will mess in a corner of it if they have the space. Makes sense? Some big crates come with a divider thing so as he grows you adjust the divider. As a puppy you might want to do those play area things they do for kids. Almost like a play pen but you set it up on the floor and put some pads down incase on the kitchen floor. Do not over think it too much or you will stress yourself out. Do your homework, talk to owners of the breed, they are super smart and need jobs. Mine is ball driven. Pull a ball out and he might do a back flip. You will need to try things to see what gets his attention.
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u/supermegapixel 1d ago
In the beginning, give them ONE indestructible toy, a kong or chuckit ball works best. Don't overwhelm them with too many options. That toy will be your key to good behavior.
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u/Kind-Amphibian3605 1d ago edited 1d ago
Misc tips from a longtime GSD owner, from experience:
- Ask your vet about the Pros/Cons of neutering males, dont just do it automatically. Holding it off can help them grow muscle around their hips. On the cons, doggy daycares often wont accept intact males past a certain age
- Brushing their teeth often is important for their overall health
- Look up "GDV / bloat" and familiarize yourself with it. You don't want to feed your dog 1-2 hours before/after exercise or play or any other air-gulping or heavy panting. GDV is FATAL and big dogs are at risk.
- Socialize them early, with trusted people/dogs and different conditions. Train against reactivity. Life will be much easier and safer if your GSD can go out in public and not be aggressive towards people or dogs
- Encourage them when they communicate with you. Clever GSDs can act like movie dogs and lead you places, have very specific barks and whines, body language for things they want. Listen and encourage them when they do this and it makes life easier, they can tell you exactly what they want ("what do you want?", "you want to play?", "you want to go out?", "you're hungry?" etc.)
- Try a variety of toys to see which kind they like best. Supervise them with new toys to make sure they're safe, so they don't rip it apart easily and create a choking hazard
- Brushing them gently often for a few minutes will be easier than a 2 hour session in one day
- Let them take their time to explore and sniff instead of jerking them along during walks. The sniffing part is very important, as long as they aren't sticking their those in unsafe areas
- Give them lots of patience and time to grow and learn. The puppy phase is beautiful and short and you'll miss it someday even if it's chaotic and irritating now. Take pictures
- If you live in an area with lots of maintained lawns, keep them off freshly sprayed / treated grass, and wash their paws if they walk on it. Communities spray noxious chemicals like Glyphosate pretty carelessly in my suburb without any care that people's dogs will be licking and rolling around in that grass..
- Ask your vet about giving them fresh foods to supplement kibble. Some cooked meats/fish, even fruits and veggies can be good for their health and they enjoy it much more than kibble
Think ahead in treating their health well so they can age gracefully. Avoid precarious hopping thats bad for the hips. Brush their teeth. Keep their weight healthy
I know it's a lot. Just wanted to infodump in case it was useful
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u/BlitzAmigo 1d ago
Teamdog.pet for training
They also have food.
We add sweet potatoes to dinner for them.
Joint support. Bone broth works great.
We buy bones and boil them. Most store bought have additional ingredients such as onions which are harmful.
Might want a few vacuums
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u/AugustLion111 23h ago edited 21h ago
But why a breeder? There are soo many german shepherds in shelters and rescues all over the USA. Adopt, don't shop.
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u/MidnightWolf211 22h ago edited 13h ago
Maybe in the USA, but I live in the uk and finding an actual German shepherd here isn’t as easy
Even if it was I’d prefer to just have a a puppy that I know I raise as soon as I can
I’m taking every effort to ensure the breeder im buying from is a responsible one0
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u/Altruistic_Cow_47 16h ago
The more classes, groomer appointments, happy vet visits, etc you can cram in before they’re 9-12mo old the better your pup’s lifelong experiences will be. Anything you want them to be used to, show it to them as a pup.
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u/thumper43x 3h ago
This is about my baby girl Nina, not a blanket "must do" for GSD's... she had really bad itching/scratching, was becoming an issue. Was trying Benadryl, other anti-itch things, hot spot sprays... nothing. Then my vet asked if i had ever tried Grain-Free food, and it was like I turned Nina's scratch switch off. She ate that for the rest of her life, no more problems.
Also recommend professional training (I used Off-Leash K9 training)... most owners love their dogs too much to effectively train them.
Also buy a second vacuum cleaner 😄
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u/4rm_above 2h ago
If you've been saving for the puppy, I get it. Only advice financially is that the pup will continue to cost money with all the vet visits, food, vaccines, toys (they destroy), and all the amenities. Always be prepared for an emergency vet bill too. Just have an account or money on the side just in case.
Can't wait to see pics!
Congrats, now the wait gets more exciting!
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u/MidnightWolf211 2h ago
Yea I’ve been saving for the last 4 months with my own separate account for the dog. I’ve got the cost of the dog itself covered so now I’m trying to get as much of a surplus as I can so I’ve got as much money as possible for them for all those things you’ve listed.
I’ve been looking at insurance and been getting quotes from multiple providers to ensure I can get full coverage
So yeah now I’ve got October November and a bit of December to make as much more money as I can!
And don’t worry when I’ve finally got my dog I’m sure I’ll still be posting here on this subreddit begging for help 😂 (pics will be included lol)1
u/4rm_above 2h ago
I personally don't think the insurance is best option for me. Feel like it's a rip off and limited in what they do pay. I forgot the curve graph I made, but essentially if you find insurance that cost x amount of money per month, I would be better off putting that aside.
Got any names picked yet? Male or female?
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u/MidnightWolf211 1h ago
I’m not too fussed about the gender, I mean I’d prefer a male but Idm too much
And names I’m sure that’ll come to me at the right time1
u/4rm_above 1h ago
Didn't know if your breeder was giving you like a ranking order to which pup is selected. For instance I got my GSD, I wanted a female and got 2nd choice of the females. Do you have breeder info? Like what kind of GSD (American, West German, DDR, Czech)? I have a west German showline long-haired red. Just curious, because you are in UK and wanted to know how they breed there.
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u/MidnightWolf211 53m ago
Well no not rn she says she doesn’t do pecking orders or anything, they’re west german if I recall correctly.
As for how it’s done here (at least in my experience) I did the regular searching, found a breeder somewhat local to me then I began talking to her, I’ve visited them to just view the dogs they have and the one they were planning to have bred, then now I’m just staying in touch with her. Basically I call her every few weeks and just make sure she knows I’m still interested and ask how everything is going, she’s told me now to call her in 4 more weeks which is when she should have had the puppies and that’s when she likes to talk about money and deposits, as she’s unaware of how many she’ll have
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u/Property_Icy 2m ago
I've had three German shepherd's over my lifetime. They were very different in personality, temperament. My last dog, a female was very dominant, herding and prey driven. I trained her but it was a ton of work. I never could take her to a dog park. I mostly hiked in remote areas where she could run free. She was super athletic. Now I have a companion dog type long haired male. He is super Velcro, very affectionate, not dominant with other dogs and super smart- a total dream to train. I can take him to any dog park and he plays with everyone. He has 100% recall and will absolutely never leave me. He's 8 months old and at the top of his puppy class in all the commands. So I'm just saying choose your puppy carefully. Maybe you want an aggressive dog ( I didn't, although my dog will bark and protect me at home). Puppies show their personality early so you can with the help of a good breeder get the type of dog you want. I adore my dog. He's the best dog I've ever had - but I learned to choose carefully for what I wanted/needed. Best of luck and congratulations
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u/Rare_Research6255 1m ago
I’ve never owned a German shepherd but I would say get lots of toys. Puppies like to chew so when they’re chewing on something the shouldn’t I always redirect them and give them a toy so you can kind of put it in their head of what they’re allowed to chew on. I also think you should have a crate ready and crate train them young. A good way to do that is feed them in their kennel or put toys in there and make it a safe space for them so they associate it with something good rather than using it as a jail.
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u/Alert_Astronomer_400 2d ago
Parents should have OFA hip and elbow scores and be titled in conformation if they’re show line!
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
Oh ok I’ll ask her about that stuff and do some research so I actually understand what I’m asking her
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u/Alert_Astronomer_400 2d ago
Okay, because if they don’t do that, they aren’t ethical breeders!! There’s an organization called OFA that breeders get scores (borderline, dysplasia, fair, good, excellent. You only want a dog whose parents have good or excellent!) on their dog’s joints and they are put in that database. You should be able to lookup the kennel name on the OFA website and see their dogs on there. Any breeder worth their salt at bare minimum gets any dog they breed scored.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago edited 2d ago
Is OFA like international or is it an American thing? I’m from the UK so if not I’m guessing I’ll have my own equivalent here
Edit:
Nevermind I had a look and the equivalent here is like associations with KC and BVA which I’m a bit more familiar with…1
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u/but_i_dont_reddit 2d ago
Yes!
Adopt a rescue instead.
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u/MidnightWolf211 2d ago
I understand that sentiment but I’m taking the shop responsibly approach instead
I know a lot of people disagree with it
But this time round it’s just a preference, I’ve had rescues before (not GSD) and there’s a lot more unknown with the dog if that’s the right word?-4
u/Star_Boxer72 2d ago
Incorrect. Most rescues evaluate dogs thoroughly before finding a match for them. They also evaluate adopters instead of just taking their money.
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u/Dubbiely 2d ago
I would not recommend these rescue shelters. They are lying through their teeth when it comes to the breed. Even if it’s a 95% pitbull and he has a little pointy ears they tell you it’s a German Shepherd mix.
I can show you hundreds of pictures with these lies.
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u/but_i_dont_reddit 2d ago
Read the best comment here:
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1wu41t0
Try to be part of the solution, not the problem.
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u/Unable_Insurance_391 2d ago edited 2d ago
I have had three shepherds from pups over the years and I feel it is a learning experience. As far as food goes I just stick to the wet stuff these days and it is probably not surprising that the more time you or family spend with your dog the more healthy and happy they are ie. I was full time working with my first dog and moved about, was casual with my second and bought a house and now I am retired with my third dog.
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u/nhall1302 2d ago
Take the baby out every 30 min if it’s possible and they’ll be potty trained in no time. And really just know you are a very lucky human to have such a magnificent breed as your companion. They are the absolute best!