Hello everyone. I am a new member here, and I am hoping to get some opinions on bringing a new member into my family. Until Dec. 08, I was a part owner of a pet store for 15 years. I never sold dogs but did sell all types of dog products. I have not personally owned a dog in about 20 years, but was raised with them. As the owner of the store I did learn (from seminars, breeders, vets, etc) about dogs, enough to help my customers, but certainly not enough for me to feel that I really am knowledgeable about all aspects of them. We mostly sold and dealt with tropical fish. From the time was a child, I have always loved GSD's, several of my friends have had them and I always was the one to volunteer for pet sitting for just about any situation. I never brought a pup into my house because I spent too many hours at my store, and I didn't want to have a dog until I had the time to care for it properly. I have now sold my store and work in an office that has a very strict 40 hour work week, so now I feel more comfortable from a time stand point getting a dog. My concern is that I have several children, the youngest are 9 and 13, and they have MANY friends on our block. The kids are in and out of my house/yard and the neighbors houses/yards all the time. I have been learning all that I can about obedience training, I have read several of Ed's publications, I have visited a local dog trainer and have appointments with several others to observe them working with clients, so I am trying to make as informed a decision that I can. My preference is for a male GSD, but after reading one of Ed's articles where he stated that although other members of a family can walk or feed the dog, it should only have one trainer or one person who plays with it. I am a little dismayed by this. I am hoping for a dog that, once trained, my kids can let out from its crate or run and be able to play with, either with a ball or frisbee or tug. Certainly I would not expect neighborhood kids to be playing with my dog unsupervised, but if my kids are with my dog in our backyard and a friend of theirs comes to the gate, I don't want to immediately have to worry. Is a male GSD, with proper training, able to be a part of a family like this? I apologize for the long post, but this is a decade long commitment, and I want to make sure that it is going to be able to work for everyone, both people and dog.
Tom

Tom,
I don't see why ya'll can't be one big happy pack.
You didn't link the article you made allusion to, but it sounds more like a prospective working dog piece rather than a companion family dog essay.
In the group setting as you described, imo the hard part will be getting the family to learn the rules of engagement with the dog. And if life at the house is as busy with strangers as you say your prodigy will have to step up to the plate for the pup and soon to be dog. Strangers have no business trying to have the dog do something for them or matter how good a friend they may be. It'll have to be your child to show the way for the dog and in turn step on their friends if things go awry (which they will).
In short it's not the dog you have to worry about, it's his enviroment.

Gsd's are a pita.

 Quote: Tom Keywork

Hello everyone. ...he stated that although other members of a family can walk or feed the dog, it should only have one trainer or one person who plays with it. I am a little dismayed by this. I am hoping for a dog that, once trained, Tom

I think he was talking about sport and working dogs mostly but I found it is most effective if everybody is on board with the training and goals for the dog. I involved my kids in care and training of my dogs but the fact is they tend to follow the pack leader.

Thanks for the replies. Schutzhund training seems very interesting to me, but was not something that I was contemplating. If I were to want to dedicate myself to it, would that tend to be better or worse in a situation like I describe? On one hand the level of obedience would seem to be beneficial, but the prey drive and physical nature of the training would leave a level of concern should a family member want to interact with the dog while I was not around. Also, since breeding is not something that I am interested in, I was planning on having the dog neutered. I would think that would be better, unless I did change my mind and want to undertake Schutzhund training. I do appreciate everybodies input. Hope you all had a good New Year.
Tom

I agree with Dennis: Get everyone on the same page. One way of doing this would be to order the Leerburg DVDs, then watch them together as a family. Anyone who refuses to watch the DVDs doesn't get to play with the dog!

 Quote: Rich Pallechio

I agree with Dennis: Get everyone on the same page. One way of doing this would be to order the Leerburg DVDs, then watch them together as a family. Anyone who refuses to watch the DVDs doesn't get to play with the dog!

This is such a GREAT suggestion!

Popcorn, cocoa, the whole family watching a half hour per evening .... I can't think of a better idea!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Rich Pallechio

I agree with Dennis: Get everyone on the same page. One way of doing this would be to order the Leerburg DVDs, then watch them together as a family. Anyone who refuses to watch the DVDs doesn't get to play with the dog!

This is such a GREAT suggestion!

Popcorn, cocoa, NODOZ the whole family watching a half hour per evening .... I can't think of a better idea!

there fixed it for you


just teasing Ed


That being said.................

A working line GSD that was 'pet' rather than working quality (and these are available) should be suitable for your home. There is no need to think that you should do schutzhund with a gsd - why not start with that pet quality dog and do basic obedience, if you get the dog training bug you can always consider it at a later date.

I would invest in a dog run for your garden, that'll prove hugely valuable in the long term - a self-closing gate on your yard.

Your kids are old enough to be responsible - I wouldn't recommend letting them play tug of war with it though - you do not want to teach a dog that it is stronger than them.

Yes, you want a puppy that looks like this

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/P1010018_edited.jpg

and she'll be a reall sweet heart like this

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/ikon.jpg

Now that I'm wiping spat coffee off of my screen.....

Dennis, that second one kinda reminds me of your sig pic : )