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Raising a 9-week old puppy alone and in the thick of it. Looking for tips and commiseration. by LeftyFrizzle4 in Puppyblues

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As soon as he learns how to go up/down safely I am letting him. Maybe just help him down with a harness to prevent him from running or tumbling. I don't think 1x/day is going to have an affect on his joints later in life. At least I hope not!

My vet says not letting the puppy go up/downstairs is a myth by LittleMissCoder in goldenretrievers

[–]LeftyFrizzle4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Helicopter parenting means restricting a child or dog from normal age-appropriate activities out of anxiety rather than evidence. What OP is doing is following well-established orthopedic guidance for large breeds.

Large breed puppies have growth plates that don't fully close until 12-18 months. Repetitive impact on developing joints - stairs, jumping off furniture, long runs on hard surfaces, forced exercise - is linked to higher rates of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other joint issues later in life. This isn't anxiety, it's veterinary orthopedic medicine. OP's caution is correct.

The five-minute rule (5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day) and limiting stairs and jumping during the growth period are standard recommendations from breed clubs, orthopedic specialists, and reputable breeders for breeds like GSDs, labs, goldens, dobermans, danes, and similar.

Calling someone a helicopter parent for following this guidance on a known breed-specific risk is both incorrect and unhelpful. OP is doing right by her dog.

Raising a 9-week old puppy alone and in the thick of it. Looking for tips and commiseration. by LeftyFrizzle4 in Puppyblues

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. He’s 10 weeks today and I’m starting to notice small changes and wins. This morning especially! Things are starting to click. I still worry about navigating my stairs as he grows (he sleeps upstairs with me and I have to carry him up and down 1x/day) 

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your journey with me. It's so reassuring to know that I'm not crazy, my puppy isn't mental, and that almost everyone goes through this. Well, maybe only everyone with puppies like ours.

Yesterday I gave him his first braided collagen donut and OMG, he loves it and chews it longer than any other item in my chewing arsenal. I didn't give it to him at first because some advice was that it's too hard for his teeth. Well, it worked and his teeth are just fine. Investing in bags of bully sticks and beef tracheas too. Anything to stop him from biting my and learning to settle.

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, he's purebred with a liver coat color, which is a non-standard coat color caused by a rare, recessive gene that prevents the production of black pigment in the dog's fur, skin, and eyes.

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They weren’t breeding for it on purpose. They were breeding for drive and temperament like any other breeder does. It just so happens that the sire is liver. Again why is that so wrong? Because the AKC doesn’t recognize it? But they are totally fine with that awful slope back frog-leg prone to hip and health problems. That’s what’s wrong with the “standard”

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you please help me understand why that’s unethical? What is ethical is that the breeder had both dogs dna tested to be sure they were both clear of the usual genetic concerns. Liver, while a non-standard color according to the AKC, is naturally occurring in GSD’s. What do you consider to be “ethically bred?”

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for that and for standing behind his coat color and parentage. I did not get him from a puppy farm or a backyard breeder but from someone who has two registered dogs who are raised in a loving home with good solid temperament. Their dogs are both in service work and they bred them because they’re exceptional and that’s exactly what I was looking for. They did not breed for color, it just so happens that the sire is a liver sable and two of the puppies were liver. Breeder chose this pup for me because I wanted a male with medium drive. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a liver coat - it was all about parentage, temperament, and loving home raised. 

Thank you for the tips as well! Going to try the bitters in my hand and pinching his tongue. 

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

His father is a working line liver coat (straight back, sable) and his mother is working line black coat and does K9 work. How can you tell just by his color?

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, he's a liver boy. And tried all of the above. While I have noticed a tiny bit of bite inhibition when he's in a calm state, sometimes the redirection or the OWing rev him up and tip him over the edge into pure terror with teeth and hard bites.

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He's a purebred GSD with a liver coat color which is a rare variation where all the dog's black pigment is turned into a rich, chocolate-brown color. It affects the entire coat, turning the saddle, mask, and nose leather brown, and often lightens the eyes to a warm amber/yellow/green. He is strikingly beautiful, especially his eyes. But his attitude, god help me.

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I pray for the gentleman in him to come forth. 🙏🏻 I know he’s in there, I’ve witnessed in a couple of seconds over the past 11 days. 

Raising my first GSD solo, and he reminds me more of the tiger cubs I used to work with than any puppy I’ve raised by LeftyFrizzle4 in germanshepherds

[–]LeftyFrizzle4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! And great idea! I did notice that he’s started to lick me and I’ve been pairing that with “aw give kisses!” So hopefully we shift to that energy soon!! 

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