Printable View
Hey guys. Our breeder has just informed us that the litter has been born and will be ready to go start of November. My wife and I have never had a dog but are both young and energetic. Our goal is to have a family dog that is good around children as we are looking to start a family. I would also like to train the dog for waterfowl and maybe blood tracking. I know there are more capable breeds but both love the gsp. Any books, tips, food for thought to help us out? Thanks!
Same principles to raise healthy well adjusted children holds true for your dog. Equal balance of discipline and freedom will be guiding principles. Consistency will be needed which will be hard at times. Main thing if you feel your dog is being bad its most likely your not stimulating or exercising them enough. Have fun and do keep in mind that all though the "book" says so doesn't mean it will go exactly as planned. As with children some develop faster than others but they'll all finish more or less the same at the end.
first dog , you want a good retriever that is also trustworthy with children....... get a labQuote:
Originally Posted by Eddy22
( I've had 2 GSPs.)
As long as your committed to working your dog practically everyday, your good to go.
Use your head ,not your heart.
NAVHDA is a place to start. But I'm with Sharon, GSP is pretty high drive especially when thinking about starting a family. Time will be an issue.
Hey Eddy,
I was in the exact same place as you a few years ago. I bought a GSP and my son was born months later. Sharon and Camo are correct in saying they are high energy, but you should be fine as long as you ensure to commit and set some time aside for your pup (ie get up ridiculously early in the morning to give the dog plenty of exercise). Tessa is great with my son ... Couldn't have asked for a better family dog (have owned an English setter and English pointers in the past). Time management my friend ... You should be fine.
Congratulations on your new upcoming gsp pup, you have bought a very capable versatile hunting dog that can retrieve from land and water. Yes they can blood track as well. Lots of info on training to blood track online. To get it to start retrieving, you start by playing a fetching game with a stuffed animal toy and advance from there. If it comes from a breeder breeding dogs from a versitile blood lines, it should show a lot of natural ability and be easy to train and be more laid back. If it comes from American field trial bloodline, it will be more energetic, as others have said a good morning run well help keep the pup calm douring the day. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about the breed or want to talk about gsp's I love them.
Agree ...get a lab.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
If you are indeed a waterfowler then I would advise re thinking your choice.
Breed discussions aside....Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddy22
Avail yourself of a friend with young children and make sure the puppy meets them and enjoys the meeting. I'm sure you have probably read that 8 - 12 weeks is a critical period for introducing a pup to new experiences. Stable dogs that are good with kids, etc., come from a solid foundation of positive puppy experiences, including experience with excitable, miniature humans.
I think that's the single most important thing you can do, given your family plans. Stable, patient dogs are made by stable, patient trainers.