Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
Posts: 1849
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Hi all! Long time reader, first time poster! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Here's the deal: I'm getting a GSD puppy from Kraftwerk; he'll be arriving mid-December. Prior to placing the deposit I did extensive research about GSD--working lines especially. Then I placed the deposit. THEN I found Ed's site and subsequently, this forum, and I have been haunting it for hours every day, ordered two videos from Ed that I've watched 3 times now, and read what feels like a bazillion articles written by Ed.
I have 2 male Corgis that are well trained in basic obedience...never any dominance issues. (The Corgis are the personal dogs of my husband and my son. The German Shepherd will be mine.)
So now that I know it's going to potentially be a bomb when I get yet another male, I have been taking steps prior to receiving the pup. The older Corgi has always slept on our bed and we've stoped that...he's gone, pathetically, back to the crate at night. We've done refresher obedience with them, especially those that deal with pack structure (We go first through doors, etc.)I have no problem being a pack leader.
The dogs will be crated seperately when we're not home, BUT, I am a writer and home almost all the time. Ed says that you can allow the dogs to socialize when you're around to supervise, but what if you're home around to supervise all the time?!? How do I keep my pup from being too doggy? I will be doing advanced obedience work with the GSD eventually, if that matters. I really really want this dog to bond to ME. The stong bond that Shepherds are capable of is one of their finest qualities IMO.
Also, is there anything that I'm doing wrong in preparing for the pup? Anything that I'm doing right? I'm relieved to see that there are many people that do manage to have 3 dogs and still have everyone keep their fur (and skin!).
Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated!
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
Offline
Amber,
This is what worked for me, Upon picking my Malinois pup up at the airport and getting her home, she was introduced to the Bloodhound so that he would quit whining around trying to see what was going on. After the initial meeting, it was seperation for them for the first few months and my husband did not interact with the pup at all. It was all about her and I. She went almost everywhere with me since she is in SAR training I need her to be social and friendly. I fed her, played with her, started basic training, cleaned up after her in her outdoor day kennel, took her outside, clipped her nails, brushed her coat. Basically whatever the dog needed was done by me. She is now a year old and we are bonded. Her and the Bloodhound get some "free time" but I make sure it is not interfering with the bond. If I notice any change then they are not allowed together for a undetermined period of time. Both dogs would rather be with me. The Bloodhound quickly figured out that maybe having a Mali as a friend was not in his best interest <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> since she is a BIT (and I mean BIG BIT haha) more active than he is.
I would say that while you are at home and working, the pup should be in his crate and when you take a break, break the dog as well. I would not allow interaction between the dogs until you have a bond established and then it should be minimal contact and also (as hard as it may be) your husband and son need to stay out of the bonding process as well. This is just my opinion and others on this board know alot more and may offer more advice. This was what worked for me and since it was my first Malinois, I wanted to do it right and not end up with a MaliMonster.
Take Care <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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