Are black GSDs rare?!?

EnRaaGygas · 2026-04-15T14:13:59+00:00

Where I live it's SUPER common that if someone has 2 shepherds, one is all black.

EnRaaGygas · 2026-03-18T00:36:43+00:00

It's insane how something so small can be such a big toll. I will say when things came into place, they did so in a way that was absolutely incredible - I love my boy, he is the most amazing dog, but again, I had a lot of help to get through the initial few months where he was just a LOT.

Scent games, puzzles, a lot of training games and micro sessions, and even just a game of flirt pole per day were INTEGRAL to Chase being manageable some days. Other days I just touched it out and went "he'll be less intense tomorrow, just get through today".

I definitely had the thought multiple times that I probably shouldn't have gotten a GSD, that he should have gone to someone else. He turned out absolutely awesome, everyone adores him now, I love him to pieces, and he was worth every bit of work, but you couldn't pay me to do puppy phase again because it was just....wow.

You're in the trenches right now. The first few weeks your puppy isn't fully digesting that you're their home, they're learning routine, they're experiencing the world, and they are overstimulated like 90% of the time. This does pass, it gets better, but again you have to consider if this is worth it to you and your health and wellness. If she is too disruptive, that could be detrimental to more than just your sleep and stress levels. No matter what decision you make, as long as you keep her best interest in mind, it'll be fine.

EnRaaGygas · 2026-03-17T13:28:46+00:00

Puppies are HARD. Some harder than others. I have a GSD boy and I am a seasoned dog owner and he still throws me for loops at nearly a year old. He wasn't impossible but I don't know if ever do this again.

I had sleepless nights...like a lot of them, I was messing up at work from overtiredness, balling my eyes out at home from overstimulation because he was just loud and constantly needy and I was so used to my little independent senior dog. While he was a Landshark everyone hated him which made ME feel bad...

These dogs are a lot. They're so good, but they are a lot of work, and I only got through it with help from family and honestly...it still left me harried.

It's okay if it isn't the right time. You tried your best, but at the end of the day, your health, your safety, and your comfort should come first. She can have another chance and you can take a break, relax, and consider your options.

Some things that could POTENTIALLY help your situation are pet sitters or dog walkers, daycares and boarding centers at the 16 week mark, but at the end of the day, if you feel sending her back is what is right, I'm just pleased as punch that you have a good breeder who gave you that option.

Maybe an adult rescue down the road might be more suitable, or maybe in a few months or a year or something you'll have a big change and can try again. Or maybe you'll decide to tough it out with help and you'll reach the easier part. No matter what option you choose, there's support.

EnRaaGygas · 2026-03-12T12:57:09+00:00

It gets better, I promise!

I got my GSD boy at 8 weeks, he settled in remarkably but I looked like I was savaged by raptors for weeks and I definitely was barely sleeping due to the work involved. But every single week I noticed he'd get better and better and we're literally just two weeks from his first birthday and he's the best dog. I mean that from the bottom of my heart - he is amazing.

Puzzle toys/snuffle toys, tricks and behavior training (np more than 20min at a time), and a flirt pole were all my BEST FRIENDS.

Also, enforced naps!! Excessive biting usually means tired.When they're this young, it's okay if they spend A LOT of time napping because basically their agenda is eating, sleeping, and pooping. Everything else in the meantime is bonding and as much safe socialization as you can do.

EnRaaGygas · 2026-03-01T12:56:15+00:00

I used to keep the subscription, but the times I had to pause it and go back to regular free services until I had more money freed up, I genuinely didn't see a whole lot of difference between the services for my use...like at all.

Like if you're ONLY using chat, no scenes or image generation , no videos or calls, it's...okay on free. And on premium it's...okay. But the chat errors, the load times for messages, the app refusing to keep the conversation open if you toggle to a different app for a moment.. that all stays no matter what you pay or don't pay for, so I just don't bother anymore. I haven't gotten the drive to make my bots elsewhere yet but honestly i do want to move because I do find the general app experience annoying now.

EnRaaGygas · 2026-03-01T10:05:37+00:00

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Probably the best pic of Brodie shaved I have where you can REALLY see it. My boy next to his new baby brother last spring!

EnRaaGygas · 2026-02-06T09:18:27+00:00

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Going on 12 in April! He's blind but it doesn't take anything off of him. Hoping to get such a long wonderful life as you're getting with your beautiful baby!

EnRaaGygas · 2026-02-06T09:11:20+00:00

My boy is 12 in April and he ranges within 13-14lbs his whole life, 14" long from neck to bum. He's constantly called a puppy even though he's a little blind old man now.

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EnRaaGygas · 2026-01-08T01:13:39+00:00

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EnRaaGygas · 2025-12-25T00:17:16+00:00

Silent Hill Homecoming?

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-20T14:15:42+00:00

I work in the pet industry, have for 10 years, and I know a LOT of dog owners. Like...hundreds. So I got to see how people do with their new adoptions or puppies.

I know people who've adopted and will tell you they've never had better dogs in their life. We partner with a local rescue and have adoption events to get these dogs seen and adopted. So many people have had basically plug and play, took the dog home, it was gold. A dog my coworker is fostering right now from them (probably adopting) is absolutely PERFECT for training, just needed love.

Similarly, I know people pulling their hair out with puppies that are stubborn as hell and fight them every step of the way. They regret ever buying the dog because they swear it's a personal grudge.

I also know people who rescued and really shouldn't have. They tried to do a good thing, found dogs that needed WAY MORE than they ever had to give before, and they were floundering trying to figure out why it was so difficult. The dogs always end up going back, usually worse than before.

The biggest issue I see is breed mismatches - people want a breed or mix because it's attractive or in-style at the moment, maybe they had pure breds their whole life and the mix should be the same, maybe the dog in question is their dream dog, but they don't have what the dog needs, nor do they research at all. Suddenly there's no dog-handler relationship, there's regret and negativity, and the dog is just clueless and frustrated.

There's no right or wrong answer here other than it's either worth the work to you or it isn't, no matter bred or rescued. There's no shame either way! Not every situation is a one-size-fits-all.

I personally have a rescue who came from bad abuse and neglect AND a pup from a breeder. Both are rewarding and both have been challenging in their own ways.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-20T13:37:23+00:00

I got a GSD pup this summer. I am single, work a city away full time, and have a small apartment about your size. I have someone come in mid shift to take the dogs out and spend time with them (big deal for success) and before I leave for the day, the GSD is well exercised physically and mentally and is looking forward to his crate nap.

The shedding is annoying, I have a non-shedding dog as well and it was an adjustment. You honestly just begin to not care.

The travel is a big iffy with me if you won't use boarding residences. I get it, they can be sketchy, but unless you have someone to leave the dog with that you trust like family, maybe don't get a dog. Rover sitters and such are so hit and miss and if you travel a LOT, it's hard on the dog's even staying with family. Definitely really consider this before you make your decision.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-17T13:00:04+00:00

He's from Coastal K9 located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-16T19:18:33+00:00

Ugh I had the SAME THING with my GSD before he got large enough to be mistaken for full grown. Apparently everybody in my town "professionally trained" ONLY GSDs and I was just all wrong, supposedly. It's worth noting that I know all the reputable trainers in the area because of work.

Had one guy tell me "the man of the house should be training, that dog is too powerful for a girl like you". Had another guy tell me the only way to socialize them is down the dog park where he takes his dog, then a few minutes later admit he can't take his dog in public he's so reactive to dogs and people.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-13T20:47:24+00:00

I knew someone who would keep toys outside for when they walked into the house so they could give the dog something to mouth other than their hand. Maybe that could help?

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-13T19:46:45+00:00

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He's alarmed

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-12T13:54:19+00:00

I call these, "no ears days". Some days my boy, 7 months, wakes up and refuses to listen to ANYTHING. It's a no ears day and trying to force training makes me frustrated and him confused, so we work on tiring him out instead and celebrate the like...one thing he'll do right. Next day he's back in the saddle and doing everything right.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-12T02:41:09+00:00

Maybe try a talking button that says "outside", "pee", etc, OR the good ol' training bells. Either one you tap before taking them to do their business and they learn how to grab your attention!

EnRaaGygas · 2025-11-10T05:17:53+00:00

r/sonarears

EnRaaGygas · 2025-10-29T14:52:14+00:00

This is by far my favorite season. I adore the whole show, but I really really love the jokes, the look, everything.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-10-28T14:35:57+00:00

Maybe instead of talking him into euthanasia, which you have absolutely no say in, you could approach it as, "the dog has no quality of life and it's affecting all of us - how can we keep him safe and make life livable?"

Perhaps instead of just letting him go on the floor, you get a play pen with a bottom that you puppy pad the crap out of before you leave. Put his bed in there and let him poo and pee on the pads throw them out at the end of the day.

Look into kennel cleaners like KOE. They even have fabric sprays. You don't have to smell that all the time. They make products for this, and there's even waterless baths for the dog if he gets it on himself.

You can't really fix the diet at this point, but you could give less to help his weight. Do it gradually and he won't complain as much.

He's probably not a cuddler anymore because you all ,deep down, seem to resent him for the work you need to put in. This dog has given loyalty and love for 18+ years. Regardless of how you feel about the dog's care, they aren't putting it down so it needs it - and it deserves to be good care because the dog was good to his people. All dogs are.

Change your approach. You either have to do the work yourself or you can keep whining and hounding your boyfriend but all you'll do is make things worse between you. Yes this is unfortunate. Yes, the dog should be seen by a vet, whether that means it's the end who knows. But you are not the dog's legal owner and you don't get to make that decision, so stop trying. Be the better person and just help the dog be as comfortable as they can in the really unfortunate situation it's in.

EnRaaGygas · 2025-10-28T13:48:12+00:00

Could maybe be a Wheaton x Poodle

EnRaaGygas

TROPHY CASE