I'm sorry Rich, I didnt mean to make this about raising kids. From our experiences I would just prefer to introduce a baby to a dog that has been trained than the other way around. Btw, I was 37.

Thats interesting Steve. I always preferred the baby first. Can you elaborate?

Btw I have you all beat. I was 55 when my last son was born! I'm DONE now for sure.

WOW...I can't believe this has turned into such a large thread. Thanks for all the advice. I was at training last night with my 3 year old german shepherd and where I train with the breeder that I am thinking of getting a pup from. I got to see his dogs work and they are probally the nicest at the club. I would love to get one of his pups that I can really do some work with. My showline doesn't really have it in him.

You guys are right. This is my fist child and that's why I wanted to get opinions from someone who is a little older and a little wiser. I just want to say the main reason I want to get the pup now instead of latter, other than selfish reasons of wanting a dog from this breading, is my wife would be out of work from this June of 2008 until September of 2009. This way while the pup is young there will be someone home to interact with the pup and let him out. I understand that raising a child is an overwhelming job so I know she will not be able to do any formal training or taking him out on activities but at least the pup will not be left alone all day. If we wait until we both are back at work the pup would have to be crated during the day.

Also, the pup should be around 8 months when the baby is born. I know this is still very young and german shepherds are full of energy at this age but I feel from my experiance with my current dog that by that age he had manners and been through obediance training. He actually knew all of the basic obediance commands before we started the class at around 5 months. I started getting annoyed at the instructor because she would always call me and my dog out to demonstrate how to do everything.

With that said, let me get to the selfish reasons of wanting a pup from this litter. Since I got my dog three years ago I became very interested in training in shcutzhund. Up until I contacted the breeder the only place to train was an hour and half away and I just couldn't go that far. Now that I can train 1/2 hour away I started bringing my dog. I brought him for the second time last night and he did a little better than the first time. The helper was saying after he worked him for a second time he doesn't really have what it takes to do the work. He could only get a reaction out of defense and nothing out of prey. Also, his nerves are not the best and he was timid when the helper would approach. I want a dog from this breeding because I saw both parents work and really got to see what is going into this breeding. The breeding is between Cyras vom Buchonia (http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/search.html?main=db&index_in=All&results_in=10&string_in=cyras) and Tora Aritar Bastet (http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/522970.html).

Thanks again everyone for the helpful advice.

With the two Rotts we've owned I just found it easy to include the baby in my training time and with playing and exercising the dogs. When the babies were born the dogs allready had the basic obedience and manners. With strollers, snugglies, and backpacks I'd always take my kids along with the dog. My oldest and youngest coincided with the two Rotts in training and I swear it led to a nice bond with them with really no effort. My middle son came in between and there's a real indifference there. Almost no interaction or contact. What was harder was teaching my two kids at ages 5 and 3(their ages when we got Andy) how to handle a puppy that may be another Rott but he's not the same dog as the other one.

I agree with your reasoning George. It will all depend on how your wife feels.

Wow. Where to begin. (IMO, of course)

Although I do not have any children myself, I'm going to take a HUGE step out and suggest you not add more pups or dogs to your life until you adjust with your current family + new baby. Why add more dogs to the mix??? Your reasons suggest you met a breeder who is making some pretty big claims about their Next Great Litter. Can you tell this might be a sales pitch extrordinaire from this "breeder"???????

There will ALWAYS BE another great breeding.

I assume from your post you took your THREE YEAR OLD dog, show line or otherwise, to a BREEDER who wants to SELL YOU ANOTHER PUPPY for what was intended to be a Schutzhund prospect evaluation? I have no idea what you did with this 3-year old dog - training wise - over the last 3 years, and I'm not criticizing whatever that was. BUT...please understand that it is NOT UNUSUAL for a 3-year old dog of any breed, upon ONLY TWO sessions with a trainer(helper I assume, but what KIND of helper - experienced teaching helper? trial certified helper??, etc.? Resume please?), to show defense not prey. The fact that your dog showed anything at all at this stage is probably something you could build upon - at least for learning value - before you subject your wife and brand new baby to a puppy.

I hope you will consider working with what you already have - and dealing with (supporting) the upcoming child before you race out to buy a puppy. Unless I'm missing something, you are a novice to Schutzhund sport who could benefit by working with your existing dog. (That's IMO - I believe all novices can learn from what they have, even if it's not "Trial Worthy") Your next dog(s) will probably be even better as a result - and good timing with your decision about when to add another pup/dog is a big part.

I have watched many an evaluation here at Joliet Schutzhund on dogs where the owner developed an interest in Schutzhund WAY after they brought a puppy home (i.e. 3-years old), and unknowingly did all the wrong things in their foundation work - if SchH was the original goal. I have learned a couple of things from this. First and foremost, don't blame the dog, and don't think a Working Line Puppy will automatically solve the problem. Improper foundation work results in problems - regardless of breed or type. A "Working Line Puppy" does not equal "Magic" for Schutzhund work. If you buy the "best" (whatever that is) "working line" puppy tomorrow, but can't afford the time and expense for proper foundation training for the next three years, your next 3-year old is unlikely to be a whole lot better suited for Schutzhund sport than your current 3-year old.

I hope you will consider working, and LEARNING with the dog you already have, before you rush off for another puppy, at a time when your wife and upcoming baby might need to be your #1 priority. Even showing only defense on his second outing doesn't mean there isn't something there for you to learn from from this dog, IMO.

With Respect,
Beth

If you do go Beth's route, my only warning is to watch out for trainers that will "do what it takes" to get a showline dog to "work." There's lots of idiots out there who like to flank and whip dogs that aren't suited for the work in order to make them bite so the owners are happy.

Some dogs just aren't cut out for it no matter which way you turn it.

I agree with you Mike. Speaking with the helpers last night they said he can definatly do the work it will just take a long time. They said it's just a matter of what method they must use to get to do the work. The helper was saying he thinks since I am interested in sport and not protection he might not be the best canidate. I am not willing to do what ever it takes to get him to do the work.

If he has it in him great and if not that is fine too.

George,

I'll cop to being older, wiser is a matter of opinion

As you can see, different dads have different experiences. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

And anyway, I thought Schutzhund was more than just biting. (I have no experience with it, though).

Isn't it also, obedience and tracking? If your current dog won't bite (yet), why not focus on the other two disciplines with him?