Let me introduce Zebedee, we call him Zeb. He’s a 4-month-old German Shepherd. His previous family was moving and couldn’t take him (that was their story anyway). The woman was very non-emotional and nonchalant about handing him over to us. She didn’t ask us ANY questions about ourselves or our lifestyle or if we knew anything about taking care of a puppy. And she didn’t tell us anything about him. As we were heading home, I started thinking of a million questions. Luckily we had her phone number so I texted her numerous times with my questions as they arose. How much and when does he eat?How does he tell you he has to go potty? Will he chew up a dog bed if he has one in his crate?
He’s been a very good boy - he’s potty and crate trained. He doesn’t seem to be a chewer, he’s not wild and crazy but very well behaved in the house. Our big boy Huck, the Great Dane likes him sometimes and is sometimes irritated by him. But for the most part, they get along. They love to play keep-away with toys or just chase each other. Luckily we have a large fenced-in area for them. Our grandkids were over the other day. I thought, Oh boy he’s going to jump all over them, knock the littlest one over, nip, etc. when he sees them. But nope! He was very calm (for a puppy) when he saw them - ran over and sat in front of them, waiting to be petted.
My husband has been wanting a GS for a long time. He had 3 when he was a kid.
Those ears! They’re like kangaroo ears. When we brought him home on Monday, his left ear was still a little flopped over. In those few days, it popped right up. His feet are enormous. Huck, at 120 lbs, walks very elegantly. You don’t even hear him when he’s walking on the floors. This guy clomps around like a Clydesdale! He also has Eddie Munster’s widow’s peak!
Score! Sounds like you all made out in this deal. Don’t be too surprised if he gets a bit rowdier as he settles in but in general GSD do tend to be pretty calm and rational critters. I think it’s the herding/working personality, they’re not usually as impetuous as, say, terriers or hunting dogs. He’s very pretty and I’m sure he’s appreciating the upgrade!
It sounds like – maybe, just maybe – the non-emotional former owners may have done a fairly good job on the front end, regardless. Maybe they were just being a bit stoic in the face of a difficult decision.
I hope so.
Wishing you many happy years together. Big scratches to Zeb from me, too !
What a beautiful Good Boy! German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, loving dogs. He’s going to grow into those ears and giant paws! My Bernese Mountain Dog had gigantic outsize paws as a puppy. Congratulations on the new family member!
On Friday we took our new pup to a local brewery with a great outdoor drinking area. Our pup was the only dog there, so I posted a pic on Facebook and said we’d be back Saturday at five.
Come Saturday there were ten dogs, eight puppies and two adults. All dogs fully vaccinated. Couldn’t have asked for a better socialization event. The brewery bought me a few beers as a thank you. Our pup was still tired Sunday morning.
They are lovable lunks, aren’t they. There was one that I would share an elevator ride with at my office. One ride was a bit crowded so he came in and just parked his butt on my foot. It’s the only time I ever felt sad about a busy elevator ride getting less crowded.
She may have gotten in her car after she handed him over and cried all the way home. She seems to have trained him well in the short time she had him.
I know GSDs are quick learners. He was answering to his new name within a few hours. He knows “place”, “stay”, “sit” and he sits and waits until he’s told he can eat. I think that’s pretty great for a 4-month-old puppy.
