I have just got a stunning 8 week old German Shepherd pup. She was full of energy and excitement as she was with her Mum and littermates but now she's here she is crying and keeps going to the door.

I know it's natural for her to miss her old family but just wondered how long it lasts and what can we do to make her feel more happy?

She is fine with all of the cats though afew of them are staring at her from the bookshelves

She is like a baby bear and absolutely beautiful

Congratulations of getting your new dog. It takes time & patients but with lots of love & attention they soon settle & forget.
We used to breed German Shepherds years ago, I love them & would love another one but I have a staffie at the moment & he hates other dogs coming near the house so its out of the question getting another dog.

When we got our (golden retriever) pup in Nov, we also rubbed a baby blanket on the mum so pup had the smell in her new bed. We also rolled a blanket up into a sausage shape so she could nestle against it as she was used to sleeping with her litter mates. We kept her in the kitchen at night - door open but baby gate up, so she wasn't totally shut off. She did cry the first few nights but soon settled. Lots of love, attention and toy playing also helped!

So, what's her name? Any pics?

We want pics, Ponglie !
NOW !!

http://tinypic.com/r/335glyv/7

http://tinypic.com/r/dcrnlu/7

These pics aren't fab, i'm going to get some more tomorrow.

We haven't decided on a name yet though I'm swaying towards Petrenko - we called her it for a joke when Holby City was on and she started to run around like a drunken puppy. Very cute indeed.

She's fast asleep at the moment

I think Snoopie would definately approve.

I love GSDs, I'll post some of my 5 year old boy as a puppy

I've also heard a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket and a ticking clock near them will help, replicates the warmth of their litter mates and mums heartbeats! Hope this helps x

Awww She's lovely

Gorgeous pics Ponglie.

How was your first night (and day!)?

Said i'de post a pic

Zinda at 6 weeks and now and dad to these

Hope the wee lass has settled in now

Great pics there. What a handsome fella he is !

I love GSDs and have had 5 in the last 40 years. We have had them in our family since I was a boy.

So long as you take the time training them they are loyal and gentle dogs.
Socialising with people and other dogs is essential, we do that from the time the innoculations are completed.

I hope Ponglie you have as much joy and happiness with your little GSD as we have with ours.

Great pics.

How much will you be willing to sell him for?

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs I lost my Senna this year and the the house was so empty without her so we decided to get another GSD and I have not regreted it once, your puppy is so cute its funny how there looks change and as for Zinda he is one handsome fella

Awwww Zinda is stunning!!!

Thanks for all of your replies.

We decided on a name for the baby bear. We've called her Sookie Chu - it translates in various languages as Lord of the Fang Bangers She's going through the biting/nibbly stage at the minute and keeps biting feet when we walk past her.

She is picking up commands really quick such and 'off' 'no' and 'beddiebyes' and is responding to her name really well.

She had her first vaccinations yesterday and the next ones are due in 2 weeks so we can't walk her for 3 weeks. We've been playing football with her in the garden which she loves but i cant wait to be able to walk her properly and show her off and get her socialised.

Here is another pic taken yesterday, she is growing so quick!
http://tinypic.com/r/2nsm3ox/7

Awww bless! I have an 11 month old German Shepherd, not such a cute puppy anymore lol! But yes, socialising is important, get them socialising with people and other dogs as soon as you can or else they get territorial of you. Mine's the soppiest GSD youll ever know though, her favourite spot is right up by the radiator in the dining room.

Cute puppy pics!

I have an elderly bull terrier and am thinking of getting another from rescue to keep her company.

Been 10 years since we last had a pup but I recall they settle within a week or two, usually. Our staffie was smaller than the cat at 8 weeks old and adopted her as his new mum. Which got funny when he got to be a big, powerful, musclebound 50lb dog and the cat was the size of his head... As she still bossed him around, thwacked him, ate from his food bowl before he was allowed to etc - she was an outrageously bossy 'mum' to her doggy 'kitten' - but he worshipped her.

I love the pic of him with his little lipstick poking out.

That is THE cutest dog I have ever seen!!!

Except my Border Collie Bailley

I aint the only one who noticed lol

It's been mentioned a few times

We have a lovely cross bitch shes 6 months old got her from the dogs trust when she was about 10 weeks old.Although we take her out daily she never does her toilet out doors how ever long we keep her out,She waits till she gets home and runs onto her puppy pads,She seems to hold it for hours,have you any tips and is this usual,

Sookie is a little like that at the mo but I've been told to leave the door open and put the newspaper/potty training pads outside of the back door so she gets used to toileting outdoors.

She seems to be picking up commands really well its just the nipping that she is a pain with. She runs up behind me and then nips either my legs or feet. She's not biting my hand as har so she's getting that bit of it. I just need her to stop biting legs before I start walking her in the street.

Other than that though she is lovely. Very cheeky but so loving and affectionate.

My GSD pup settled within a few days. He found himself a friend in a stuffed toy sheep we had. It was the same size as him and lay beside it all the time. It was his best friend, he loved that thing until I got another pup, this time a bitch and she destroyed it. She was complete opposite of him, where he was quiet and withdrawn she was hyper and couldn't care less. First time we brought her into the house she tried to jump on the couch, at 8 weeks old!

I think the answer there would be to take her out in the garden and stay with her, not let her in until she goes and then straight away HUGE praise and a treat. Do this religiously for a week or two and throw away the pads.

You would have to be very persistent, and consistent and have a bag of treats with you when you walk as well.

My dog is trained to go on command, believe it or not. "Number 1s! or "Number 2s!" but we now say "Numberwang!" (my kids are huge Mitchell & Webb fans) and she will go to the door to be let out.

Once you have her doing it, you can 'name' it then say it to get her to go to the door.

The first week or so you will have to be prepared to spend an inordinate amount of time waiting for her to go. It's a case of 'catching them being good' as we used to call it in teaching.

ETA: I forgot to say my dog is an English Bull terrier. They are famous for being impossible to obedience train as they're very intelligent (in a diff way to a GSD) and obstinate. So if even a bullie can do it, most dogs prolly can.