Getting a 4 month old rescue German Shepard pup

i dunno..i miss our sheps tho..im glad you will be getting a new companion..i know how much you were hurting..glad to hear, cant wait to see a pic

In our first week with our puppy, who we got at 6 weeks old, the first day or so, we introduced him to his cage and let him get a feel of the house. We started home training immediately, simple things though like just getting him used to his name (we did this by every time we were to feed him, we called his name as he walked with us "Come on, Rock." "Rock, it's food time." ) We also taught him very basic commands like sit and paw (surprisingly, he learned this all within the first week) as well as where his pee pads were - rewarded him with treats when he did go to the bathroom on there and NEVER rubbed his nose in his "business" when he went elsewhere. Also, cuddle him a lot, touch his feet and toes and neck and belly and genitals - it helps out a lot, especially when he's at the Vet he doesn't mind being touched in spots a lot of dogs are awkward about.

Proper training is going to be a lot of fun! We have our pup in training as well, and its great bonding, socialization and the like.

Have fun! Puppies are a blast, but a handful.

Get with a good trainer. Also, if you plan to jog with your new family member, wait until he is about 10 months old. The reason for this is that dogs' bones and ligaments are not mature enough to handle such vigorous exercise as long jogs/runs until around then. I volunteer with an animal rescue organization called Austin Pets Alive! and if you need any more new-puppy resources, feel free to message me. I can email you a bunch of things we give to all new adoptive parents of puppies

Congrats on your new family member!

I would suggest a lot of toys! Puppies love to chew. If you find him chewing on something he shouldn't, take it away, tell him no and give him one of his toys. He'll learn what's his to play with and that your things are off limits. Also, make sure he meets lots of other people and animals. We didn't do this with our first dog and we ended up with one who didn't like other people or animals. The dog we have now was a rescue dog. She was about 6 months old and had been really well socalized. She loves everybody, such a great trait in a dog! Have fun with your new addition.

I have a year old GS. Her stomach is sensitive so get a good food. We don't give ours people food or soft treats. She has a TON of energy, they are working/herding dogs. They will need walked often or given a "job" to do. We're getting ready to start training with ours as she is badddddddd. She was socialized from 6 weeks, but barks at everything and everyone and is terrible on a leash because of it. Mostly because of several different people watching her and spoiling her and not being consistent. They are very loving and protective. She has recently been kept outside of the crate and has started chewing, destroyed numerous thing, cordless phone, playstation controller, pens, paper, etc. I don't think she is getting all of her energy out because of our recent bad weather.
They are also prone to hip dysplasia .... check with shelter to see if they know of any signs.
Good luck!

One of the biggest is to make sure he knows how the leader of the pack is. Don't let him walk in front of you. If he does, turn around without warning. It won't take him long to learn to watch what you do.

Dont give him something like a shoe to play with or all shoes will become toys.

I love GSD's! We have one, Mina, who is a year and a half and just adore her. Here are three training tips from our kennel/trainer that we couldn't have lived without:
For potty training and for quicker bonding, whenever you are inside with her, have her on a leash. Sounds weird, but Mina would go into another room as soon as I took my eyes off of her for a second and poop. Where you go, she goes. The leash should be no longer than 4 ft. Let her outside every hour, and especially after she eats, and they get the potty training down fast.

To stop the nipping (which they do a LOT of) - as soon as she nips a person in your family - take her firmly by the jaw and fold her gums over her teeth and apply gentle pressure. Gently - just enough so they get negative reinforcement and realize that nipping hurts. Then give her a toy that is OK to chew on. And get lots of them! My daughter's Barbies lost all of their hands and feet when Mina was a puppy! )

If you want a dog that will protect you - our trainer recommmeded this...if the puppy becomes aggressive with anyone in your family, the correction is to immediately take the pup and place them on their back, belly up in a submissive posture. Hold them in that position until they relax. Mina, around 5-6 months started getting pretty aggressive with our kids - lunging, growling, barking, - very normal stuff for a puppy - but if you don't teach them that the family is their pack and that the humans are in charge, they can grow into the aggression. I am so glad we did this - because now Mina is amazing with my family - and with all kids in general.

Good luck!!!! We were also told by our trainer that a GSD needs to do something ONCE for it to become a habit. So, just make sure everyone is consistant with the training and words that you use for praise. And give that puppy lots and lots of love. So much fun!!!

Ooh, jealous! I GSD's! I had my heart set on one but we found our lab/golden at a rescue first and the rest was history 4 months old is a great age - you're gonna have so much fun! Otherwise, everything sounds good and you've gotten great advice. I heartily agree with crate and obedience training. It makes everyone happier.

4 months old is THE best age with puppies, in my opinion. I foster puppies and 4 months old is my favorite age. They catch onto house training quickly, they have developed some personality and they are just plain fun to be around.

There is no reason to not give them people food or treats as long as the food isn't too high in fat, sodium or toxic to them.

I don't buy into the whole "show them who is the dominant one" whooey either. As long as you train them and teach them what you do and don't want, they will will be fine. Dogs are dogs, not humans. They don't spend their days plotting how to take over your house. They like routines and thrive when you can follow them. Walking in front of you or going out the door in front of you doesn't make them more "dominant" or the "alpha".

Dogs are born with a pack mentality. If the owner does not, in the dogs eye, take the role as leader, the dog will. It is very easy to do with just leash training. Once the dog realizes who is in charge they are more eager to please the leader.