And if--if--getting this new GSD puppy is going to happen anyway despite our other suggestions...

The best (least objectionable) scanario, IMO, is to keep this pup at your dad's house where there is only one other dog. Your new pup can be crate trained there, regardless of whether or not your dad's dog is crated. But your dad would have to be totally on board with this, because he'd be the dog's owner every weekend when you aren't there.

It is not fair to this pup to make it live in two households, with two different "pack dynamics." Recipe for disaster.

Dylan, you'll find that a lot of people raising dogs for schutzhund will RARELY if ever allow their dogs to have contact with other dogs- even dogs in the same household are commonly kept separate. Please think about that. All of the hard work you put into your puppy can be completely for nothing if its allowed nearly other dogs. And it really sounds to me that your mother's dogs have absolutely no structure or discipline in their lives. I really dont think its going to be at all possible to raise a good dog in that environment.

One other point is that its the old dog that I would be MOST concerned about. Sometimes when they get that old they have zero tolerance for the rough and tumble of a working breed pup. I would be willing to bet that your pup could get seriously injured by that dog.

Well said Tracy!

Lol I said it wrong, when i was talking about its almost never going to happen to crate the dog i wasn't talking about my dog, i was talking about my moms dogs. I will be able to do anything i want with my dog because i will be paying for it and all, and my parents will just let me. I was trying to say that my mom will not let me crate the other dogs. But i will do the decision making for this dog.

Hi Dylan, and welcome to the forum. You are to be commended for researching and asking for advice. I honestly hope you open your mind and heart to accepting the advice given.

I can only imagine with going through a recent divorce of your parents, that having something to love and take care of - all your own, seems like a very good idea. I'd feel exactly the same way if I was your age and in your shoes.

However, as much as you want to make this work, it really, really is not fair to a puppy. Even though your intentions are absolutely good - the needs of this puppy have to come first, and with you going back and forth between two homes right now, well, it is going to be impossible for you to meet that baby's needs.

I so encourage you to do what others have advised and dive in and begin training all the wonderful dogs already in your life. You may not be especially attached to them at the moment, but once you begin working with them - you WILL develope a very close bond and fall in love with them.

Give it some thought, okay?

Dylan,

I am wondering what you are planning on doing after graduating high school. Will you be heading to college? Moving out on your own and getting a job? Where will this dog fit into the equation in 2 years?

I only ask because I was put into a hard situation when my mom passed away when I was 18 and in my first year of college. I was living in a dorm and had no way to take care of the family dog. I ended up taking the dog anyway and moving out of the dorm, getting an apartment, getting evicted for having a dog in a no pet apartment, finding another apartment that allowed dogs, and securing 2 jobs to pay for said apartment. IT WAS NOT EASY. On me or the dog.

You are taking on a 12-15 year commitment when you bring a puppy into your life. Are you prepared to care for this dog, which may include expensive emergency vet care, for the rest of it's life?

When I was 16 I bought 2 horses. They came to college with me and it was all I could do to pay for board. The stable owner let me work off the bill, and I will be forever greatful. I lost my Red 4 years ago, and Breeze is still with me (23 years later). Again, though, it was not easy. I worked my butt off, and as a result didn't really get to have a whole lot of time to enjoy the dog or the horses.

Something to think about....

Good luck.

--Kel

Sorry mate gotta agree with everyone else, 1 pup can be difficult but once you have 2 or 3 like at you moms it's VERY hard especially if you want to go into dog sports getting that bond can be very difficult if it grows up with other dogs ( stupid me got 3 pups 2x3months and 1 at 6months big woops ) now the training that I had with the eldest has slackened because they've bonded so they're all very "doggy" and i do crate them and they're never left out alone. It's a long commitment to make at 16 so make sure you think about what's best for the dog not just what you would like.

It just sucks because I have already put down the doposit and it will cost me like 150 now.

If you have decided not to get the pup, talk to the breeder. They may refund it if you explain the circumstances.

They may not, but it never hurts to try.

Did the breeder ask you about the living situation at all?

yea i said i was going to go back and forth but she didnt seem like it was a problem