Hello all

Jester · 01-22-2007, 11:56 AM

Hello all! I just got a new puppy this weekend from the local SPCA, two dogs actually. A Chihuahua/Terrier and Shepherd/Husky. They said the Shepherd/Husky was Australian Shepherd, but my friends and I think she is German. I have attached a pic for your votes.

Also, being that she is 3 months old, when should I start training her more? We have a 4 year old daughter and dont want the pup to hurt her by jumping on her or anything worse. Thanks!

sheltieluver · 01-22-2007, 12:12 PM

Congrats on your new friends! I think part German shepard but it's hard to tell from the pics. You should begin to start training IMMEDIATELY. Good luck and hope you'll keep posting and let us know how she is doing.

Keno's Mom · 01-22-2007, 01:02 PM

Looks more german shepard to me - who knows.

Anyway training starts the minute you get home. Be consistant. Teach some of the basics of sit, stay, down, and off. The diffence in down and off is easy to remember.

Down means to lay down on the floor. Off means to not jump on a person or object - like a couch.

Use the sit command when feeding - make the pups sit and wait till you put the food down. Do not allow them to be jumping around - you don't want food all over the floor OR, more important, them jumping on you when you have something hot from the stove in your hands!

Enroll them in puppy classes and basic obedience as soon as you can. Be sure the everyone in the house agrees on the same training commands/methods so you don't confuse the pup.

And crate train them when you can't watch them. Be consistant in taking them out for potty time.

Not only does the dogs need training, you should teach your child a little "animal savvy" - no pulling on ears, tail; no hitting, no tug of war play, and don't put your face right into the dog's face. Pet on the side/shoulder area and slowly pet the head.

crazydog06 · 01-22-2007, 01:09 PM

Definitly part German Shepherd!

Start trianing NOW! Start with Come and then Sit,down,Stay,etc.

Just be patcient. Training takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day!

Peterson Pocket Pups · 01-22-2007, 01:17 PM

Congrats on the new additions! As stated in previous posts, training starts the minute you acquire the new pet. Everyone must be consistent with commands, as well as, acceptable and not acceptable behaviors. I have trained my dogs by not only speaking my command but also snaping my fingers. Example: one snap is stop and give me full attention- while 2 snaps is sit... I find this useful when I am talking on the phone or engaged in other activities that I can't always use the voice. Maintain a schedule of feeding and potty time. Mine knows within 15 minutes of feeding time and will let us know if we delay...lol.. The main thing is remaining consistent in everything so the dog is not confused as to what pleases you- the pack leader.

rottielover · 01-22-2007, 03:17 PM

From the look of her belly you should have a stool sample done immediately. Looks like she has worms. Congrats on the new additions.

Jester · 01-22-2007, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the advice all.

As for the belly thing, it went down alot! Could be the gas

and or the stool that seemed to find its way to my lawn. But she seems better now. She is even pawing at the back door to go out, I never taught her that either.

babydolwv · 01-23-2007, 12:05 AM

congrads on your new additions.... i would agree with the german shepard...looks more german than australian...

1 thing i can say is deffinitly be consistant... my hubby up until the last few wks thought our pooch wasnt making any progress, but the more i worked with her the more he saw... she is doing much better now...and i am sooo glad...

tirluc · 01-23-2007, 09:59 AM

in this household, training starts from the min i get the dog,in one way or another......and this includes my 8 wk old pups as well (by the time they are 9 wks the know come and sit, not that they do it perfectly, mind you, but they know them

)......and as they adjust to the house and new surroundings the training gets deeper......

and i agree w/ others above....looks more GSD than Aussie....but that could be the angle of the pic....any of him upright to see ear set and all?

Jester · 01-23-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirluc

and i agree w/ others above....looks more GSD than Aussie....but that could be the angle of the pic....any of him upright to see ear set and all?

Here is a pic of her. Best one I could get as she would not sit still. She keeps trying to chew up the little dog (no yelping just rough housing.... or in this case RUFF housing)