I bought a 6 week old puppy, (the last of 14 in the litter). It screams when we go near it. What should I do?

Question

We are at the end of our rope, I am hoping you can help with your extensive knowledge of German Shepherds. We had a beautiful GSD 3 years ago and was not able to keep her because of a move and we were heartbroken. (We had her for a year). Well, about 4 weeks ago we decided to go and get another one and I will admit to you right off the bat we did everything wrong. We found someone in the paper and went and fell in love with the last puppy of a litter of 14. I think our minds were made up before we even got there. She was the only one left, 6 weeks old and VERY timid. Wouldn't even come to us and when my daughter picked her up she yelped loud. I know, I know all bad signs, and we still took her. Well I am sure you know what is next, 4 weeks of frustration. She yelped horribly for the first week in the crate, we have finally broken her of that by sheer determination. Won't walk on a leash, yelps at the top of her lungs and drags her feet or will pull ahead just "screaming." It is terrible, we actually had to walk out of Petsmart with her when we had her for 2 days because she yelped so loud and continuously people thought we were hurting her. And we were holding her in our arms! Well someone told us to get a prong collar, now she yelps louder and STILL won't obey commands. We take her out of the crate, she goes potty and then comes in and 20 minutes later will eliminate on the carpet, right in front of us. You can't play with her she will cry and yelp and when you try to hold her she will groan and we tell her "settle" and she will, but doesn't like it. Like I said she is "a loner" and doesn't want to be held or played with and any type of correction will lead to this god awful yelping. I won't even take her out anymore because of the looks I get from people. When we bought her and she did this the breeder said that German Shepherds don't like to be held. Well our first one was so loving, she would sleep sprawled out next to us on the couch. We desperately need your recommendation and can you tell us what this personality means. We want to like her so much but honestly she is making it very difficult and we need to know what is going on and how to change it. Thank you for your time, you're our last hope.

    Kim

Accepted Answer

This animal is a product of bad breeding (my guess is that it’s an American bloodline dog), a bad breeder and poor genetics. Nothing you are going to do is going to change the animal. Anyone who lets a dog go at 6 weeks is an idiot. It's been proven that puppies need 6 to 8 weeks to socialize with their littermates. In your case this would not have mattered.

    There is a possibility that this dog is sick. I would have the stools checked to make sure the dog does not have worms. If it is loaded with worms it could be in pain a lot of the time which may be the reason for crying when you pick it up. My guess is that it simply has weak nerves.

    My advise to you would be to either put this dog to sleep or take it back to the breeder. The first option is the best. This dog is not going to improve and you have dealt with a totally dishonest breeder. If you return the dog he is only going to sell the animal to someone else.