Anyone with any White German shepherd/GS experience?

I JUST got a female white German Shepherd puppy who turned 8 wks old today. I'm so happy to finally have her after all the years of longing, researching breed temperament, and begging my husband. I was wondering how other people's dogs acted as a puppy, as opposed to how they acted as an adult. So far, my puppy (Lily... I think) is very quiet, withdrawn, and shy. I know we just got her this morning, but she doesn't respond much when you talk to her. Sometimes she'll wag her tail really slowly, but I don't know if she's very excited. It's still very early, but I can't get her to show any interest in playing with a ball or anything. She hasn't even walked around to explore the whole house yet, she kinda seems scared in a way, but she isn't shaking or afraid for my husband or I to pet her. She also makes a grunting sound a few times when you pick her up. Anyhow, I was wondering if this sounds like any of your dogs acted. If not, how did they act, compared to how they act now.

Anyone with any White German shepherd/GS experience?
I have had lots of dogs, 3 from puppyhood.


It will be so much fun.


I can tell you that you CAN tell their personality right away. It sound that she is laid back and will be great in your family. There is a puppy temperment test that you can do that will tell you how they will act (aggresive, dominent, shy etc ) She sounds aloof or just smart waiting to check things out.





Hold off on the bath, until she gets used to you guys. I buy everything from petedge.com








Teach her your cue words right away (when someone is at your door, who's here). Teach her to sit and stay when you open the door. Always have people leave 1st and dog last (you are the leader) Walk up stairs 1st her 2nd and she will never bowl you over, which is important if she is 100 lbs.


Use no with a collar correction (get a correction collar and light weight leash )





When you walk, heal , and when you stop sit and stay is important so so going in traffic





Get tthese books


http://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-...


and


http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Mattys-Ultim...





and follow thier advice, you will have an awesome dog who will have great self esteem. People ruin their dogs without knowing it.





Best advice, praise praise praise. Never use her name in anger, and praise when she comes every time even when she bolted on you. She will then come to you no matter what down the line.





Also, get natures miracle for cleaning up smelly messes.





Lastly, either have a safe space (we use the laundry) room that is hers that she can be in , never close the door but gate so she can see, until she earns the house, meaning when you leave she doesn't chew or pee or destroy. The pet store sells these great rubber chews that you can fill with cookies or peanut butter. When you leave they have something to do no no seperation anxiety.





Tether on a short lead and let her sleep next you you, so you will know when she has to pee, and not be lonely as you are her pack and she was just sleeping with 12 other dogs and now alone.





Soak a rope toy in water and freeze it for teething, and let her have somewhere where it can melt and be messy.





I know I probably didn't answer anything you asked but these points helped me loads! Hold off on the bath until she is used to you. I get my pet products from petedge.com, and yes have her vet checked.
Reply:white german shepherds are albinos,most of the time born deaf,i got a friend that breads them every white one thats born he puts it down.because of the problems they have.look for pink skin,if the skin is pink you got an albino.
Reply:Your dog reminds me of one of mine. We picked her because she was so calm and relaxed. She seems so depressed sometimes.


It might not be a problem, but after years of my dog acting this way we finally asked the vet and she has a tyroid problem that she needs to take pills everyday now.


She is also now only 6, but looks at least 10, and acts at least 12.


Hopefully your dog will grow out of it.


My Uncle has a White German Shepherd, and it has been a spaz for the last 10 years, and is calming down with age.


I would not really worry unless she isn't eating. Maybe she's in pain or anti-social.


If you still are worried, take her to the vet. It can't hurt.


I hope I helped a little. :)
Reply:My pup was like that the very first day, also. She is young and has just been pulled away from her family. And she doesn't know you yet. Plus she is tired and sleepy. Put her in a quiet place, and let her get some sleep.





She grunts, because it is not fun when you lift her. It is the same when someone lifts you. Holding may not be bad, but lifting takes getting used to... She will get used to it.





She may wake up and cry tonight... leave her alone. Good Luck doing that because you have to be heartless to let a cute little puppy whining (almost mewing) in the dark... but do it. She will go on for a while, and then go back to sleep. If you leave her alone, then the next night she will whine for much shorter, then the third night she may sleep thru the night.





If you pick her up tonight when she cries... it may take a few weeks for her to stop.





She is NOT house trained. So fix up something so she can go to the bathroom away from her bed, that is easy for you to clean. If you plan to create train, make sure that the crate is small enough, and be prepared to get up every 2 - 4 hours to let her out... and she may still have accidents.





BTW, when I first got my puppy, I gave him some milk. The 10 minutes later he started shaking. I was terrified that I had killed my dog in less than an hour.





... then I realized that I had given him cold milk ... and felt kinda foolish. BTW, pups don't need milk and it can give them the runs.





Tomorrow will be a much better day, and next week she will be a wonderful pup. You can start training her to sit and down, then come and stay.





To teach sit, take her in the kitchen and let her sniff around. When she gets bored, she will sit. Tell her 'sit' and give her a very tiny little treat, just a taste. Then let her walk around, until she is tired and sits, then repeat. Do this for about 10 minutes





ON the first day, don't expect anything, but on te second day, she may start to get it. Then you want to switch a little, this time when she is about to sit, anticipate and say sit... then treat. On the third or fourth day. Say sit before she is tired and see what happens. If she sits on cue, then treat her like she just won the Olympics, with praise and a few treats.





Then do the same with down. She should understand, but not be consistent after about two weeks... But she will be learning that when you talk to her, it means something... and it means something good to eat !
Reply:She is still very young.. She shouldn't be shy... She should be maybe cautiously curious and should come out of her shell within a few hours at most.. Is she from a kennel, and has never been in the house maybe?





You're probably more excited than she is :) She left her family to come to a strange place w/ strange people and strange smells.. She is wondering what the heck is going on..


Did the breeder help you select a puppy for your situation, or did you choose her yourself?





I would hold off on the bath if she is still acting nervous and shy.. Give her some time to get used to the place and when she comes around, then give her a bath IF she needs one.
Reply:I have been rescueing German Shepherds for 4 yrs, and I can tell you, they are an incrediable breed. A couple yrs ago, I had a mother dog turned into me about 2 weeks before she gave birth to a litter of 12 puppies. This combined with the fact that I have read some awsome books that I highly recommend, "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell and any of the books by the Monks of New Skete, but without question, "The Art of Raising a Puppy," has given me some great insite to this breed. First of all, sounds likes you got her from a good breeder. Puppies should never be removed from the litter until 8 weeks of age. Now lets take a look at your questions about Lily.





You are right, today has been a big day for her, and she is extremely confused about what all has happened. What I would suggest is to help her get more use to her new surroundings, you and your husband need to camp out tonight. Make up a little bed in the living room, on the floor. When you go to sleep, let her lay on your chest, the sound of your heart beat will be very sothing to her and will help calm her down. Tomorrow will be another day. Then would be the best time at looking into giving her a bath, in the sink. Just be gentle, and do not put her head under the water or the running water. Use your hand to scoop the water, no cups as they will have too much water coming over her head and could scare her. Now the Monks of New Skete have a great plan for puppies this age, and I think it is a great idea. Tie a leash around your belt loop and attach her to it. This way she has to follow you around. Now don't fight with her. IF she doesn't like it, then you will have to do some work with her on a leash, but usually, they will just follow you around. As far as playing ball and other things, give her a couple days. DO NOT TAKE TO PET STORES such as petsmart or petco. A lot of people like to take puppies here but the thing is, you do not know that every other dog that has been there as had all their shots. She is at a very young age, and can get sick very easily. Get her to a vet as soon as possible for a check up and if it has been more than a couple weeks since her shots, go ahead and get her next set. Hopefully, you will get this in time, you can get the Monks of New Sketes' book tonight, I would recommend it. As far as her temperament, you will see a change. For a few days she will be shy and timid, and then it is off to the races, and she will be into everything. Good Luck
Reply:she is feeling a bit strange after just leaving her litter mates


The last puppy I had was hard work at night I settle her down as soon as I left the room she would cry. It was about 4 weeks before I could leave at night packed in a shoe box with a stuffed toy. She was house trained at 8 weeks too.



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