should I start training my Greman Shepard

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Jigs, you should be a proffesional dog trainer! lol! Good information, everyone!

[zeyad]

Her name is ginger and I got pretty much the hang of times, except when she tries to play tug-a-war with the leash to get me to let go or go her way. She loves to chase my nieces and newphews around the yard. But, all in all she's a good dog. She lost most of her voice from barking and wimpering for me. Now, when I leave her alone she might whimper or try to bark for me, but when I' m out of sight she just gives up.

[Karen]

When she starts trying to play tug-of-war with the leash, just let it go slack and say "No!" Don't tug back! It's cute now, but when she's full-grown, it could be a real problem! Find another toy, THEN play tug-of-war, so she learns that the game is okay, just not using the leash!

[wolfsoul]

I have a GSD! They are my second favourite breed! My GSD's name is Leather She's a silver shepherd...What colour is yours?
Welcome! I hope your puppy becomes really well-trained!

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Karen
When she starts trying to play tug-of-war with the leash, just let it go slack and say "No!" Don't tug back! It's cute now, but when she's full-grown, it could be a real problem! Find another toy, THEN play tug-of-war, so she learns that the game is okay, just not using the leash!

I read that playing tug-of-war with a dog could make it competitive with it's owner as well...That's too bad, because it's one of Timber's and Leather's favourite games

[zeyad]

her coat is all black with tan paws( all gsd have tan paws) and a little white in the front above her chest.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by zeyad
her coat is all black with tan paws( all gsd have tan paws) and a little white in the front above her chest.

not all german shepherds have tan paws...my dog doesn't...she has white paws...
see, here are some that don't have tan paws







your dog must be a bicolour...bi colours are gsds that are mostly black with tan highlights, whereas regular black and tans are gold dogs with black highlights

[wolf_Q]

I took Nebo to both the Puppy Class and the Basic Obedience at Petsmart. I had no problems with it, and I enjoyed the class. I plan on putting him in the Advanced Class when he's a bit more mature.

I'd like to get involved in Agility or try out some other training classes, but I haven't been able to find any around here. There's not much offered.....

[oodlesofpoodles]

There is also a sable colored GSD

They are absolutely gorgeous

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by oodlesofpoodles
There is also a sable colored GSD

They are absolutely gorgeous

I love sables The sables I like best are the ones with the wolfish markings...but I think I might get a bicolour when I'm older...Well, if the personality is good I can't wait to find out!

[wolfsoul]

My favourite colour shepherd is liver, but you can't show them













I also really like blue german shepherds...

[Karen]

In any case, Zeyad, your pup sounds lovely! She can scome to mt house to play anytime!

[zeyad]

sorry for the misinterpentation that all GSD have tan paws, i totally forgot my cousin has a 6 month all white GSD. I'll try to get a hold of a digital camera to take pictures of ginger to show her off.

[zeyad]

Should I spay ginger or wait a couple months until after she has her first litter. When should I allow her to breed? The guy I bought gsd from said if I want I could breed ginger on her 3rd heat, which is when she's 1 1/2 years old. Well, I'm going to ask the vet what he thinks on the subject. If he gives the to go sign on breeding her I will do it, but only if she has no problems such as health wise. The only think is when is a good time to breed her, on which heat?

[Demigodess]

Why do you want to breed her? Are you showing her and setting up a reputable breeding program with the goal of bettering the GSD? Or ore you just looking at breeding for fun?

If you are considering breeding for a reputable program, you should be prepared to have a lot of money to invest. There are a host of tests that should be performed on a GSD before she is bred, not the least of is having her hips and elbows x-rayed and certified. If you breed before age 2, you'll need to do this twice (once before 2 and once after). This could cost upwards of $500 - $1000 dollars.

I also believe that a GSD should not be bred unless she is show either in the breed ring or in a performance event. Otherwise, you have no way of knowing if you dog has characteristics that should be passed on to better the GSD gene pool. If she is not what you would call a "working dog" then she should not be bred unless she has some success in the show ring. This is how one evaluates the physical structure of a dog to see if it is well suited for breeding. You also should research the dogs pedigree and learn about illnesss and genetic problems in the lines as weill as in the lines of the possible stud.

You would also have to consider the right stud. Stud fees can reach $1000 for a high quality male dog and you often have to travel to find a good male.

Most reputable breeders lose money on a litter, so it is an expensive hobby.

I'm not suggesting that your dog should not be bred at all, but these are some of the circumstances under which I believe it is acceptable for a GSD to be bred. I do allow my male to be bred, but only with all of this in mind. And frankly, I stud him out to breeders that I know are reputable because I don't feel ready to handle all the things that go into it. I do my own research on the pedigees and illnesses, so I am educated, but not quite ready for the entire responsibility.

I also work in GSD rescue and I can tell you there are so many GSDs are put to sleep every day that it makes your heart break. A reputable breeder should guarantee that she will take back a dog for the entire life of the dog if the owners can't keep it. If you can't do that, don't breed because you will add to the population of unwanted dogs.

Unless you can do the things I am describing, you should spay your dog. Spaying before the first heat is best because she is at a lower risk for health problems later on if she is spayed before her first heat. It also reduces the possibility for an "oops".