in september my dad is getiing me a german shepherd for my birthday. My parents are divorced and i am with my dad every wednesday and every other weekend. The dog will always be at his house do you think the dog will still see me as its owner and be loyal to me? Also we are planning to bulid a dog run with a dog house is it ok to have it sleep there even if it sleeps with me when im there?
2007-07-23 10:46:03 · 6 answers · asked by Michael N 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
There's lots to learn Michael. Good for you for doing some research now! How old are you? You seem like a teen or younger perhaps - so I wonder what your plans are for the animal when you go to college and if you've considered that this is a LEAST a 10 year committment.
The dog may appreciate you as part of his pack, but because you are not at your Father's house daily and cannot provide for every care for the dog, it's likely that the dog will respect your Father as the alpha, not yourself. Your Dad is in charge of you, and dogs seem to understand the subtle communications of rank without really being 'taught.'
For instance, I bought my daughter a dog from the shelter, and because my daughter is so busy with sports and school and friends and a job, I knew that the dog would be my dog even though she really wanted one. She got very upset that that dog would follow me around - I already had MY dog, this was supposed to be HER dog. Plain and simple, I run my house - so the dogs naturally gravitated to me over the kids. They respect the kids, but not like they respect me.
You should not let this dog sleep with you, as you are asking for trouble with dominance later if you put the dog on the same level as yourself.
I'm going to link you to a great website that can teach you so much more than I.... http://www.leerburg.com .
Do a lot of reading and please understand pack drive before your dog comes home. You will want to start this relationship off the right way!
Good for you for thinking ahead! I'm already proud of you!
2007-07-23 10:54:15 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well to start with, it sounds like your father is trying to "bribe" you by getting you a dog. The dog will most likely not look to you as his master. Does you father like animals? Dogs are social animals and feel secure in packs. You and your family are their "substitute" pack. They DO NO belong outside by themselves in a dog house! You cannot have it confined to the dog house sometimes and let him inside when you are there. It is not fair to the dog. They get mixed signals. My advice to you is wait until you are in a position to care for a pet, 7 days a week. Get a fish or a small animal which does not require so much attention.
2007-07-23 10:58:58 · answer #2 · answered by Heidimax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the dog will really see your dad as his owner, seeing that your dad will be feeding the dog/walking him everyday. The dog will hopefully still enjoy your company a lot, if you play with him/her and show him/her love whenever your there!
As for the dog house question, why would you build a dog house if you didn't have your dog sleep in it? :) In nice weather your dog can certainly sleep there if he/she likes, and in bad weather (raining, cold, really hot) he/she might prefer to sleep inside.
2007-07-23 10:56:44 · answer #3 · answered by Alpha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will see your dad as no 1 as he is with him all the time. But he will be loyal to you too, you must treat him really well but also be in control. He is best sticking with one place to sleep to get him in routine. Train him well, be firm and kind, they are adorable, you will be made up. Get some books and read up on what to do.
2007-07-23 11:34:15 · answer #4 · answered by leigha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will be loyal to you but he will think more of your dad as his master because he is with him most.
2007-07-23 11:14:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do no longer touch THE EARS OR DO something TO THEM. they're going to upward push up on their own. a great style of GSD owners make the blunders of touching the ears on a daily basis to "rubdown" the muscle, purely leave them on my own. they're going to finally upward push up. the only different ingredient is to get them cropped, yet that's a painful technique and waste of money considering they're going to upward push up on their own.
2016-11-10 05:07:09 · answer #6 · answered by heyder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋