Advice for possible first time adoption

[HeinzDogOwner]

I'd appreciate any advice for a possible first time owner. There's a great looking Dutch Shepherd 11 month female puppy at the Hampton Roads SPCA shelter. Here's the link;
http://www.peninsulaspca.com/petango/
She's listed as Dippsy. There's pictures and a video. Looks in great health, very interested and friendly to people. She was jumping four feet up when I saw her in an outdoor kennel and was very focused on the staff, almost totally ignored me on the outside. She became a lot more interested in me when back in the indoor crates. She's a return, adopted out once then returned shortly with the comment "uncontrollable - won't learn commands." The staff comment on the paperwork is "unrealistic expectations" and I believe them.

I'm looking for any experience/advice from people who've got a full time job and a Dutch Shepherd - how do they handle 9 hours at home. Also, I've got another dog, a rescue mixed breed, large dog, real sweetheart but he's really been scarred by earlier owners, we've finally got him physically well and he's coming out more each day (after 2 years). I honestly think he doesn't know how to play with other dogs and doesn't want to learn. I don't want him in a war on his home turf - does anyone out there have experience with a DS and a much less active dog sharing space?

[Christie M]

Hi there,

Welcome to the forum. Before I go any further, it is always helpful if you visit the user control panel and create a signature for yourself that includes your real name. We have enough people on here, that it gets hard to put screen names with people

When I first got started with the breed, I worked full time at a vet and adopted a 2 year old K9 washout. It really was a challenge - but a lot had to do with his baggage. I think it can certainly be done, and most people have to work outside the home. But you do have to have realistic expectations on what your daily plan is for physical and MENTAL stimulation. They aren't always content to just chase a ball around the backyard occasionally. That doesn't mean that the dog needs to have a formal "job." But they do need structure and a formal outlet - even if its just daily training with you.

I recommend doing all introductions with housemates off of your property, ideally in a setting where both dogs can drag a leash but you aren't holding it. If everything goes well, then you can bring them home together.

Good luck and we look forward to hearing of your adventures.

[Christie M]

Also,I did just visit the link that you provided. Dipsy is a beautiful girl. But I don't think she's a Dutch Shepherd. She may be a mix of sorts. Either way, she looks very sweet.

[ZodiacT]

Welcome to the forum! I have to agree with Christie, I visited the link and that doesn't look like a DS to me, probably a GSD-mix like they have listed. Still cute though!

[HeinzDogOwner]

Wow! Thanks for the fast replies. I'll go back and look - up close she looks a lot like the top dog picture on on NADSR adoption page, head shape and nose proportion, brindle pattern and ears big enough to do radio astronomy with. No dew claws but she has white on chest, chin and mittens. She is a little smaller too but was bouncing like an Olympic high jump tryout.
Thanks for the advice on meeting, I'll see if I can work that out. I still have to coordinate it with my roommate, aka Dear Wife or DW as I've seen on some other forums (I'm usually DH).

[kchristy]

Welcome to the forum and keep us posted! If we could see more pics of her maybe that would help! She is pretty no matter what though

[Lauren]

What a cutie. I agree with christie that you definitely have to make time to exercise (or exorcise )them. For mine that means I have to get up early and walk her (she is 7 mos and still too young to bike/run) for at least an hour. We also do training to tire our her brain and harness her energy. Then if I have to leave her I give her a stuffed kong in her crate. I let her out mid day, then play a little frisbee, and another 45 min- hr walk. before bed.

If I do leave her (luckily I am a gardener and can very often take her with me) I can expect crazy wild child when I get home. In fact she got rained in one day and we had to leave her home the next and she was SO crazy my husband said "we are never leaving her all day again!!" no problem. She travels well and behaves with us.

I think it would be different if i trusted her outside in the fenced yard alone, but i don't yet. Your little girl is a bit older and it looks like she has something else mixed in, so maybe it won't be a problem.

[CaroleBoaz]

Hello, welcome to the forum.

I have a Dutch Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Belgian Laekenois, and I work full time. I am also a full time dog owner. What I mean is, I don't do much of anything without the dogs, or is non dog related.

For my DS, we go to a class most every week. Currently, its agility. And on weekends I take the dogs someplace where they can run and sniff. I think those are the two most enjoyable activities for dogs.

During the week, I spend time out in my backyard both before and after work and again after dinner. Sometimes the dogs are off doing their own thing, there is always some wild animal smell in my yard. Sometimes they want to play with me and I'm ready for tug or fetch. I also require them to stop what they are doing whenever I ask and come and either sit or down stay. When the weather is better, I do more training in the yard. With the bad winter weather, I do little training sessions indoors that focus on heel position, and maneuvers in heel position.

It's much easier with one dog. I always wonder why I needed three.

It's Sunday morning and all of them are crowding around me wondering when they are going to get their outing.