Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hello all,

I am a new, prospective owner of a dutch shepherd puppy. However, I am having difficulty deciding at what age I should get the dog. I want an 8-week old puppy, but I am worried about being able to handle the potty training/housebreaking. I am a graduate student and would have to leave the dog alone for up to 4 hours a day while I am in class. Due to this, I was considering getting a puppy up to 6 months old instead. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help.

I'd definitely...DEFINITELY avoid a puppy in your situation. Even a 1 or two year old will bond perfectly well with you if you manage him or her correctly!

i agree, a puppy would be a terrible idea and destroy everything you own

A puppy can be well raised even if you have to leave it for up to 4 hours at a time. You will need to crate train so the puppy is safe and contained. Just keep in mind the exercise requirements he/she will need when you are home.

ICE wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2017 7:52 pm A puppy can be well raised even if you have to leave it for up to 4 hours at a time. You will need to crate train so the puppy is safe and contained. Just keep in mind the exercise requirements he/she will need when you are home.

Thank you ICE for the informative response. I am reluctant to use a crate as I eventually want the dog to be able to roam freely, even when I am not around- however, I have relented and accepted the fact that I might have to use a crate, even if its only just until the dog is potty trained.

There's very few negatives to crate training and lots of upside. I am not sure I understand when I hear people say they don't want to do it.

My last 4 dogs have been crate trained. Once a level of trust had been established, the crates remained, door open for them to come and go as they pleased. All 4 of them use(d) the crate on their own constantly. My lab even knew how to open the door from the outside, and would immediately do this if I closed it while he was outside the crate.

For Radar and Leela, all I have to say is "kennel" and they will stop what they're doing and go right in their respective caves. It's rare that I will follow-up and close the door (onlywhen the AC, plumber, or electrician come over), but this is a really useful tool - puppy or adult.

The bottom line is to consider all the factors before drawing the line that crate training isn't right. It's really a trust building exercise for you and your dog. It has a high rate of success as long as it isn't a punishment, the dog doesn't stay in their for days, and the crate is clean.

One final tip that I learned here on this forum early on - my dogs had a tendency to chew the plastic tray that lines the bottom of the crate. I solved this by cutting a horse mat to the right size and throwing out the plastic trays.

Absolutely agree with everything Michael stated! My very first dog as an adult was not crate trained and he destroyed everything!!! Not because he was bad - just because he could.... Every dog after that has been crate trained. All of my dogs love their crates. Its not a bad place - just a safe place. They earn the door left open. It is different timing for every dog. I have been lucky and none of my dogs have been chewers in the crate so mine are able to have nice soft blankets...

Ditto. I wish I had crate trained my dogs when I was younger. I felt that it was abusive and unfair to the dog. I never THOUGHT about it...I had multiple dogs to the vet multiple times from ingesting dangerous things.
If I raise my voice at the kids, En scoots over into her crate. She's out of danger in there, and she knows it. She is a chewer though, and the only thing I leave in there is a Kong.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice, I have relented and will be using a crate when I initially bring the dog home. As for the chewing, I plan to line the crate with a plush dog bed so hopefully that will cover the plastic, and I will leave a kong bear and a rawhide stick inside for her to play/chew. I also bought a cover for it so that its dark inside. I bought a 48" crate which I understand is a little big, but that way I figured she can still use it as she gets older.

Having said that, it seems like I will be sticking with 8 weeks as opposed to getting an older dog. Any advice on making sure I imprint/train correctly at such a young age? My goal is to eventually use her as a service dog that I can take along with me when I am out and about, however, I also want her to have strong guard instincts and we may also dabble in some PPD/Schutzhund work.

What are some important factors to consider when choosing such a young puppy? How can I make sure, at such a young age, that she has the right drive/temperament for the activities I expect her to engage in as an adult? Are there any tests or factors I can do or consider while picking the dog to make sure I end up with the right one? Ive had a dutch shepherd before and he was perfect in ever way, but I bought him as an adolescent and his temperament showed through so clearly when I was picking that the choice was rather easy- but he was about 8 months at the time...

NO RAWHIDE !!!!!!!! EVER EVER EVER

I would look for a low drive dog. You will not want a high drive as they will be more work and you will need to keep them entertained all day. there are low drive DS"S My thalie is a low drive. You will not be able to guarantee anything at a young age. I would see if you can find one around a year, maybe one that is low drive that is not suitable for intense work. They would be good for you.

Dutchringgirl wrote: ↑Thu May 04, 2017 2:03 pm NO RAWHIDE !!!!!!!! EVER EVER EVER

Why not?

they are deadly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they chew off pieces and they do not get digested and will block the intestines. there are many many deaths from rawhides

Dutchringgirl wrote: ↑Thu May 04, 2017 2:05 pm I would look for a low drive dog. You will not want a high drive as they will be more work and you will need to keep them entertained all day. there are low drive DS"S My thalie is a low drive. You will not be able to guarantee anything at a young age. I would see if you can find one around a year, maybe one that is low drive that is not suitable for intense work. They would be good for you.

To me, it seems like a low drive dog is associated with what I would call a "pet-quality" animal. I am looking for a dog that will be able to work. I have a lot of free time and know that I can handle keeping up with the dog's maximum energy requirements- so that is not an issue. In fact, I know from experience that putting in the amount of time and effort to raise a puppy of any breed/age is not an issue at all. The only issue there is that I have class for 3 hours- 4 days a week. But I am hoping that as ICE said, I should be able to potty train the dog and make sure hes safe by using a crate.

My concern is making sure that I pick the dog whose personality and temperament turn out to match my expectations (assuming that I do the right things to imprint/train), but from what dutchringgirl is saying- its basically a crapshoot as to whether the dog will turn out to be high/low drive, etc, at 8 weeks? If thats the case then what are some important factors to consider when choosing a puppy so young? Do you simply choose the best looking one or the one thats bonds to you the quickest? Are there any warning signs or behaviors to look for as red flags that a pup should not be chosen?

My big question here is what methods do people use to choose and evaluate a puppy? This is a long term commitment that will span the dog's entire life and 12-15 years of my own as well. I want to make sure I dont get stuck with a disappointment, lol.

Pet quality? Do you know about Dutch Shepherds?

My Thalie is a low drive dog who won many Ring Sport Trials, Kicked the decoys but and had perfect "outs". have you had experience with a high drive dog? They are dogs on crack, they are going to want to play and work all day long.

Crate training for the time you need them in is find for any dog, that is not the issue.

with a puppy, there is NO way you will know what you have until they are older. With a high drive dog, you will need to do alot more training to teach them to control themselves and to wait. High drive dogs do not like to wait, they will but it takes a TON more patience and work and they are more likley to break the line.

My Sadie is on crack, her drive is crazy high and I put many hours in and she still has a hard time waiting, and she is 6 and I have had her since a pup.

With a good breeder you do not choose the dog, they choose the dog that will work for you.

There is no guarantee here if you go for a pup. Personally I would recommend about a year or maybe under.

Well, it looks like I will be getting a 12-week old Dutch puppy this Friday- time for the adventures to begin :S

Congratulations on your new puppy.

I had a Mal that was crated up to eight hours a day when she was only three months old. She had only two accidents. They'll hold it. Just be sure to let them out before leaving and no access to water in the morning.