New Dog!!!!!!

[UKTriDelt]

So this is a really exciting day for me. I just found out that my parents are in the process of finding a new dog for our family!! We're going to get a German Shepherd male puppy, which is the best news ever. I've grown up having a German Shepherd around my whole life, and the past couple of years that we haven't had one have been a little empty.
The only thing I'm a little cautious about is that he's going to be sold to us as a 2-year-old trained guard dog. This means that if anyone in the family gives the command, he will be alert and ready to attack, if another command is given. From what I understand, the dogs are trained extremely well and will attack ONLY on command (which I would hope so, considering the hefty price tag attached).
This whole decision to get a guard dog comes in the wake of my parents' decision to move from Kentucky to Yankee territory. Though I doubt there are many people to fear in Connecticut, it's still the NORTH to my mom, who is born and raised a Southerner. Have any of you had experiences with dogs of this sort and know if they really make good family pets?

[mu_agd]

You mean Yankee territory as in the baseball team, right?

[winneythepooh7]

Originally posted by mu_agd
You mean Yankee territory as in the baseball team, right?

LOL.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

We've had German Shepherds my whole life, too. They're great dogs, though they tend to "worry" a lot (if you can picture a dog worrying.) They also tend to be one-person dogs, which is why they make a great working breed -- e.g., guard dog.

They're fantastic with families, though, too, and VERY intelligent.

What's his name?

[PhoenixAzul]

Isn't there typically a training session required to show new owners how to "work" the dog? I'm sure if this breeder/trainer has any repute they'll have trained him well...I'm sure someone would have reported an expensive 110 lbs ball of anger when they expected a calm guard dog. This person should have references too...sometimes they even arrange meetings with references and their canine companions...i'd suggest calling on the references.

[aggieAXO]

I treat the Austin police department attack/drug dogs when they have an emergency. These are Belgian Malinois(look like G.Shep.). They are always muzzled for my protection as well as my staffs or any other clients/patients. I do not trust these dogs, though the handlers love them and say they do well at home ( I saw one last week that lives with 2 chihuahuas and the chis are the bosses of the house). I would make sure your home owner's insurance covers any type of attack in case something happened and someone tries to sue you. Just CYA (cover your ass).

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by UKTriDelt
This whole decision to get a guard dog comes in the wake of my parents' decision to move from Kentucky to Yankee territory. Though I doubt there are many people to fear in Connecticut, it's still the NORTH to my mom, who is born and raised a Southerner. Have any of you had experiences with dogs of this sort and know if they really make good family pets?

haha, where in CT are your parents moving? I grew up in the burbs in CT, and a lot of the suburb areas there are places you can leave your doors unlocked at night.

[Little E]

I'd be careful of the yankee neighbors...

[UKTriDelt]

Originally posted by PhoenixAzul
Isn't there typically a training session required to show new owners how to "work" the dog? I'm sure if this breeder/trainer has any repute they'll have trained him well...I'm sure someone would have reported an expensive 110 lbs ball of anger when they expected a calm guard dog. This person should have references too...sometimes they even arrange meetings with references and their canine companions...i'd suggest calling on the references.

Yes, there will be a day when the trainer brings the dog in to acquaint him to us and vice versa. He'll let us know the appropriate commands, among other pieces of general info on how to make the best of the new dog. Thanks for suggesting the references, that's a really great idea and I'll tell my parents to get on that immediately!

[UKTriDelt]

Originally posted by KSigkid
haha, where in CT are your parents moving? I grew up in the burbs in CT, and a lot of the suburb areas there are places you can leave your doors unlocked at night.

We're going to be living in West Hartford, outside of the capital city. From what I understand it's a safe environment..

[Tom Earp]

Damnit!

Here Damnit, Sit Damnit, Sic Damnit!

Bite their Balls off Damnit!

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by UKTriDelt
We're going to be living in West Hartford, outside of the capital city. From what I understand it's a safe environment..

It used to be when we lived there. It's also gorgeous, but so not Lexington.

[UKDaisy]

Originally posted by AOIIalum
It used to be when we lived there. It's also gorgeous, but so not Lexington.

I love you


Good look in the yankee district

[AOIIalum]

West Hartford is a great place. Good schools, good shopping, excellent restaurants, good medical care (at least there was 15 years ago), close to Boston and NYC. I really liked living up there.

<hijack>
Actually, where we live now is quite nice. Great quality of life, excellent schools, reasonable tax rates, fantastic place to raise kids, an easy 4 hour drive to my mom's and rural enough for me.

Having said all that, it's still no Lexington. I'm still convinced that Lexington is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet (even without Commonwealth and Rupp!).
</hijack>

[madmax]

Get a Great Dane and make porn movies with him.