I just wanted to see what other people with more experiance tham me think about when the right time is to get another dog. I currently have a 3 year old german showline german shepherd that has been through obiediance training and I just started him in schutzhund. I is pretty laid back with low to medium prey drive so I am not sure if he will have what it takes to do the work. My wife and I were planning on getting a female working czech line this summer until we found out a baby is on the way. Probally in the middle of December.

I still want to get the puppy but my wife is unsure if would should considering a baby is on the way. She thinks it might be over whelming having a 8 month old puppy and a new born at the same time.

Anyone with a situation like this please advise regarding pros and cons. I forgot to mention that my wife is a school teacher and will take next year off to care for the baby.

Thanks

Congratulations on the new coming baby! Very exciting for you. I'd guess it may be up to your wife, who would be spending her time taking care of the new baby - would she want the addition of an adolescent GSD at the same time? The GSD would require daily exercise, training, socialization, lots of time spent with the pup, especially at that age. The baby of course requires constant attention. To do both would be a "handful" however many folks do it. I don't have kids, but if I did, I would still have my dogs and be raising puppies along with the kids, as best I could. But it would be a completely individual decision for you and your wife to make. As for the dog vs. baby situation, the dog should be fine with the baby as long as he has a good genetic temperament, proper socialization, and is only allowed to interact with the baby under supervision (of course).

Good luck with both!

molly

I am having a similar situation. I have a 3 year old female dobe that I got as a year old and hadn´t been worked with at all and was very distrustful so I have done the best I have been able to with my limited experience and knowledge and after passing ZTP last year with my "will never bite a sleeve"-dog and are training for IPO1 exam this summer. But this will be as high as I can get her so with this summer our roof will be reached and I will probably not be working her that hard anymore. So unlike when I got Veeda as a dog that just needed a home and I instantly bonded with, I am planning it carefully and want to focus all my energy to getting everything as right as possible from the beginning. BUT this is after retiring Veeda from intensive training.
It really depends on how much time you have to devote. Having two dogs that you want to train will take twice as much time. Do you have this? I don´t think that if you have an understanding wife and a healthy baby this shouldn´t be a problem (I have two small kids). At least as long as you are prepared to keep the dog crated and separated from the baby if needed. A trained and socialized dog should be good to take on walks besides the stroller even that young.

George you get what you select for and your show line GSD was selected for show. It would be best IMO to let him excel in the venue he was bred for, showing. Working line GSD in most cases do not make good house dogs therefore if you want a pet I think is best to select a dog that was bred to be one. You have a wide choice from which to choose as most breeds today are bred for exactly that.

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Working line GSD in most cases do not make good house dogs therefore if you want a pet I think is best to select a dog that was bred to be one.

WHAT????

I would never recommend that anyone by a dog from someone that breeds for the pet market.

This is just my own preference George and nothing more. I would rather introduce a baby to a dog I have raised and trained for 8 months then the other way around. I would end up waiting until the baby is around three or so before I got a puppy if I was going to wait.

In an effort to clarify, generally, not always, if correct GSD working lines have different behavior triggers than a non-working example. They tend not to be as forgiving, they don't like direct eye contact. They overall are more dominate and do not suffer fools gladly. If someone comes in unannounced they will be bitten. Can some working dogs make good house pets, sure not just the ones I want.

I make no secret of the fact that I like the dogs that many people think are nuts, but making a statement like that is plain foolish. The amount of GSD's out there that are the way you describe are in the vast minority. There are more than enough GSD's out there that would fit into George's situation without any problem, whether you like that type of dog or not.

 Quote: steve strom

This is just my own preference George and nothing more. I would rather introduce a baby to a dog I have raised and trained for 8 months then the other way around. I would end up waiting until the baby is around three or so before I got a puppy if I was going to wait.

Absolutely! Your wife obviously has to be on board, as she will be the one at home with the pup. But much of the most difficult stuff is already settled for the most part.

Now a 2-4 month old pup is a different deal, as there is a lot to work on and with at this age, but this too is not impossible…

Good luck and congratulations!!!!