And so you should be! I done 3 in the last 7 years. It's hard work...but I LOVE it.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

So you're going to either need to rehome the pup, or work through your tough days, because they're going to get worse before they get better. Sorry if that sounds blunt, it's just the reality of the situation.

I hope you understand this.....it really is going to get worse. Your puppy right now is sick, and is not as active as a Mal pup that age should be. Once he starts feeling better, and starts really teething, you are going to think that his behaviour right now is angelic in comparison.

I have to admit that I had a really hard time watching the video that you posted. Mals have an insane prey drive, and if the pup and your kids are anywhere near each other ever, the kids are going to get bit. The puppy won't be being mean, it will just be playing, but it will unintentionally hurt your kids. I'm worried that you will lose your temper in this situation and give the puppy a correction that it doesn't deserve.

It sounds like the reality of your situation is finally starting to sink in. This puppy will need training and exercise (not trying to be mean, but how active are you currently?) every single day for years before it turns into the well-behaved dog that you are picturing in your mind.

It seems that your best bet would have been to go to a good rescue group that fosters dogs in homes, and finding an older dog that they know is good with kids. You don't need a PPD....any dog that will bark is a deterrent to potential thieves.

Nick, I am going to chime in here an echo what everyone else is telling you...live in the moment with your pup, enjoy him while he is young. I have had German Shepherd Dogs for 40 years, up until 10 years ago they were all show-line dogs, I never knew there was a difference. (Don't ask !!)

The first working line dog I had was a handful and that's how I wound up on this board. (But he is now 10-1/2 and has both an AKC CGC and an AKC CD.) You know what, you can work with Gambit and enjoy him. Remember, it's like I've told many people, a dog is not a TOASTER and so you have to work with the dog you have, not the one you wish you had.

Remember, first of all that he's a baby. Think about when your girls were real young and how little they really understood. Gambit is no different. If you approach him like you would a baby and don't lose patience both you and the puppy will be happier.

Good luck with him.

 Quote: tabatha farnel

 Quote: mara jessup

So you're going to either need to rehome the pup, or work through your tough days, because they're going to get worse before they get better. Sorry if that sounds blunt, it's just the reality of the situation.

I hope you understand this.....it really is going to get worse. Your puppy right now is sick, and is not as active as a Mal pup that age should be. Once he starts feeling better, and starts really teething, you are going to think that his behaviour right now is angelic in comparison. .... It seems that your best bet would have been to go to a good rescue group that fosters dogs in homes, and finding an older dog that they know is good with kids. You don't need a PPD....any dog that will bark is a deterrent to potential thieves.

I really really hope that trying to minimize the impending damage is not construed as a blessing on this puppy being in this family. Because it's not.

No one who has followed the O.P.'s threads from the beginning can possibly think it's a good match.

There was nothing smart about this, and (as always) the dog pays the price.

The thing is, the O.P. listened to no one then, and I have very little hope that he will now.

This is why there are so many posts saying PLEASE return or rehome this pup combined with advice for minimizing what is clearly a disaster in the making.

"Remember, first of all that he's a baby. Think about when your girls were real young and how little they really understood. Gambit is no different. If you approach him like you would a baby and don't lose patience both you and the puppy will be happier."

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

No one who has followed the O.P.'s threads from the beginning can possibly think it's a good match.

There was nothing smart about this, and (as always) the dog pays the price.

I know, it's just so hard to read these threads and not chime in. I (as we all do) picture the poor innocent puppy surrounded by chaos and stress, being called stubborn and bad just for being a puppy.

If Nick does decide to keep the pup, hopefully the trainer can lead him in the right direction. Perhaps Nick will understand and take direction and guidance better from someone in person.

 Quote: Tabatha Farnel

I (as we all do) picture the poor innocent puppy surrounded by chaos and stress, being called stubborn and bad just for being a puppy.

If Nick does decide to keep the pup, hopefully the trainer can lead him in the right direction. Perhaps Nick will understand and take direction and guidance better from someone in person.

This is what's so heartbreaking.

This pup is on my mind all the time. I know that I'm not alone in that.

 Quote: Tabatha Farnel

If Nick does decide to keep the pup, hopefully the trainer can lead him in the right direction. Perhaps Nick will understand and take direction and guidance better from someone in person.

Hope springs eternal!

Wow .. I was venting a bit and got all that! LOL.. We are fine I fasted him half a day to rest him tummy then we fed him half a cup of kibble with a little bit of chicken and probotic. Everything is normal and I'm getting into a routine with him.

I take him out in the morning to pee and poop in the same spot. We go back in and he goes to the kitchen with me. Then I go get his food feed him in his kennel and then he rests for two hours. Then I feed him again and he rests for two hours. Then I play with him for 30 minutes to an hour then back to rest so he doesn't get bloat. Then I feed him again. Wash rinse repeat until he has had all his food for the day..

I also take him out to play tug and hang out for a bit so he doesn't get frustrated being in the kennel. He has accepted his kennel and doesn't cry or whine anymore.


We are doing much better I just was venting and getting some stress out. I don't think about him as much as I did and things are getting back to normal. I even took my kids to the zoo!

My last posting was truly venting because I was upset he swallowed cotton. That's all

Nick, please listen to the wisdom of these posters. They know what they are talking about.

It seems that you cannot see how you are shifting blame onto the puppy, "He did it for awhile but then ignored me." (he didn't ignore you, you failed to engage him sufficiently), "So yet another issue with this dog to watch for." (as the dog is responsible for contracting giardia).

You created this mess and you need to fix it. You weren't able to get your puppy the right sized collar without major help from the people on these boards, but you talk as if you are going to take this pup through some formal training process to title.

It is horrible to think of this poor puppy in the middle of this. The best solution you could think of for the collar situation was to take the puppy to the store. A sick puppy who doesn't have a collar.

And now the training thread has started and you continue to make ill-conceived decisions on the spur of the moment as if you know what you are doing. And then plead ignorance and ask for help.

Let's face it, you are not going to raise and train a PPD in a home with two small children. You have some misguided notion of a dog protecting your family, a dog that you are going to train (but you KNOW NOTHING) about the most basic elements of dog handling or dog care.

If you want a dog that will bark at strangers, adopt a balanced, level-headed adult dog from the local shelter. That is what most dogs do, once they have bonded with their family and know where their home is.

Heck, put Jethro on your front porch. You won't need no PPD with him laying out there!

Please give this puppy a better chance at a good life than he has had so far! Give him to an experienced owner who can take care of him and love him for who he is, who doesn't see him as "another issue".

Fyi he was getting 1/4th and a half KB and half of 1/4th chicken. I added the rest of the KB to make a half of a cup. I plan to do this again today so we can be down to 5 feedings. Maybe in a week or two we can do 1 cup of food.