Guest Anonymous Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 My husband just bought home a 6 month German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix and I would like some basic info or what website to go to get info: ie:food, training, obedience. Thanks Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 For training start here: http://forum.dogomania.com/viewtopic.php?t=10960 For food - pick one without added salt or suger, no byproducts, no "meat" or "poultry" only identified proteins like "beef" or "chicken", an animal protien as the first ingredient, avoid foods high in corn. Some good foods: Wellness Canidae Solid Gold Innova Wysong Flint River? These foods are excellent but may APPEAR to cost more, however, they actually end up costing about the same as you often feed less of them and your dogs health is better. The above foods are also usually found only in specialty pet stores. If you absolutely must have a grocery store brand, which I don't advise, then look into President's Choice Lamb and Rice it is the least bad grocery store brand I've come across. You could if you felt up to it also research home prepared meals carefully and then try that but it is definately not for everyone. Any other specific questions? Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 thanks Dogpaddle you had some good advice. Unfortunately I live in Atlanta and haven't seen any of those brands. I see the common ones they have on tive here. "puppy chow...etc.. Back in the day (15+ years ago) we gave our dogs (german shepherds only) table food. Also I was just informed by the vet that my dog doesn't like the leash..won't come when called and acts like he's never seen one before. what should i do? He has already been around our daughter (2yrs) and they both seem to have adjusted well to that. Any precautions...not used to such a mix.. Thanks Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 Stores that cary Innova in Atlanta Animal Land (404) 815-1505 HOME DELIVERY Atlanta, GA 30324 Barking Hound Village (404) 897-3422 1918 Cheshire Bridge Rd Atlanta, GA 30324 Canine Showcase (404) 875-0611 1544 Piedmont Ave NE, Ans... Atlanta, GA 30324 Dog Days (404) 266-8668 3225 Cains Hill Place Atlanta, GA 30305 Highland Pet Supply (404) 892-5900 1186 N. Highland Ave Atlanta, GA 30306 Park Pet Supply (404) 588-0140 491 Flat Shoals Ave Atlanta, GA 30316 Pet Agree at Vinings (770) 436-0503 2997 Cumberland Blvd #210 Atlanta, GA 30339 Pet Gallery (404) 351-7490 857 Collier Road NWHowell... Atlanta, GA 30318 Pet Set (404) 633-8755 2480 Briarcliff Rd Atlanta, GA 30329 West Family Chiropractic (404) 255-6027 6100 Lake Forrest Dr., NW Atlanta, GA 30328 more to come Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 Stores that sell Wellness in Atlanat Barking Hound Village 1918 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 Phone: 404-897-3422 Canine Showcase & Wild Bird 2036 Manchester St. Atlanta, GA 30324 Phone: 404-875-0611 Highland Pet Supply 1186 N. Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306 Phone: 404-892-5900 Kirkwood Feed & Seed 1998 Hosea Williams Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30317 Phone: 404-378-2829 Park Pet Supply, Inc. Atlanta, GA 30316 Phone: 404-588-0140 The Pet Gallery 857 Collier Rd. Atlanta, GA 30318 Phone: 404-351-7490 The Pet Set 2480 Briarcliff Road Atlanta, GA 30329 Phone: 404-633-8755 Barking Hound Village Lofts 568 Somerset Terrace Atlanta, GA 30306 Phone: 404-875-5408 Vinings Important Pets 4199 Paces Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30339 Phone: 770-319-0100 more to come Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 Stores that sell Canidae in Atlanta: Canine Showcase & Wild Bird 1544 PIEDMONT AVENUE NE 404 875-0611 Dog Days 3235 CAINS HILL PL NW 404 266-8668 Highland Pet Supply 1186 N HIGHLAND AVE NE 404 892-5900 The Pet Set 2480 BRIARCLIFF RD NE 404 636-4903 Peachtree Natural Foods, Inc. 152 PEACHTREE EAST 770 487-8288 You'll notice some stores are on multiple lists, they'll likely have most of the foods on the list. I would suggest trying The Pet Set or Highland Pet Supply or Canine Showcase & Wild Bird Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 As for not coming when called or not walking on leash: Does your dog like treats? If he does its easier. Coming When Called Get two people, give both a ton of very small treats - I used liver treats broken into 1/3 inch squares or smaller. (In the yard or on walks trailing a long line or in the house or all of them.) Call the dog and hold out the treat, when the dog comes give the treat and tons of praise, before the excitement of this event calms down have the other person call the dog and do the same. Make a silly game of it, laugh, play, treat. Repeat regularly. Never tell the dog "Come" to get a hold of it for punishment or things it doesn't like such as baths - go get him for this. Come will then become a great word for your boy. Walking On Lead First attatch a short lead to the dog and let him trail it around the house and yard all the time (at least while you can make sure he's not hanging himself up on something.) Then during walks keep those treats handy, again very small treats. Walk with a treat in your hand, right at your side, let the dog small, lick, nibble gentle at your hand for a bit as you walk. After a bit, give the treat and get another and repeat, do not break stride if possible. This helps for dogs that are skittish on lead or dig in their heals. If the problem is pulling there are several methods. You can refuse to move forward as long as the dog is pulling, as soon as he eases up move forward and praise, as soon as he pulls stop dead and possibly say no. Another method involves walking and making random turns, walk crazy so the dog has to watch you, you can combine this method with the treat method above for good results. If the above doesn't work join a dog obedience class. It's fun and they have many useful tips. It's even great if your doing ok with the dog. They'll also be able to teach you how to correctly use the right training tool for real tough pullers such as Martingales, Haltis, Gentle Leaders, Harnesses, Prong collars etc. Obedience classes help develop a bond and reassures your dog by clearly and humanely showing it its place in your "pack." Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 As for anything paticular about your mix of breeds: You already have experience with GSD so I'll just give you a couple links for Rotties: http://www.amrottclub.org/rottweilers.htm http://www.amrottclub.org/introduc.htm http://www.amrottclub.org/ownershp.htm With mixes there is no hard rule for how they will behave. They could be alot like one or the other, they could be a bit of both, they could even be very little like either breed. I would suspect, an I am very much guessing, that your dog is likely a bit smarter than average but may be slightly independent. Probably a strong protective drive and some prey drive. Will almost certainly need a fair amount of excercise and mental stimulation or may become bored or destructive. For these reasons you may want to consider an obedience class maybe followed by activities like agility, tracking, canine good citizenship, flyball, weightpull, swimming, competative obedience etc. Probably will make a good couch warmer and snuggler as he gets older or when he is worn out a bit from playing or excercise. Probably a big dog that will eat a fair amount. Can we have pictures please, please, please? Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 27, 2004 Posted August 27, 2004 THat's not a bad mix. The vet thinks my Zoey is mixed with a shepard. She looks all Rottie to me though! :) Quote
DogPaddle Posted August 28, 2004 Posted August 28, 2004 Back in the day (15+ years ago) we gave our dogs (german shepherds only) table food. That's not so bad as people make it out to be. If you make sure they are not getting just fat and do a bit of research table/people/homemade food can be better for them. I bet your dogs were healthy enough, how long did they live? Quote
MajiesMom Posted August 28, 2004 Posted August 28, 2004 hehehe I call them Rotten Shepherds, but just because I'm silly. We have 3 Rottie/Shep crosses I can think of off the top of my head that regularly board with us. They are all really wonderful dogs and are some of our favorite dogs that we often talk about and get excited when they book to come stay with us. The two breeds are fairly similar, I would use the same training methods for both breeds so you have a foot in the door having had GSDs. You can learn a lot about training here but you should definitely find a good trainer and go to obedience classes with him. I would get him on better food. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted August 28, 2004 Posted August 28, 2004 DP, you rock!! :bigok: [quote name='nicky']Unfortunately I live in Atlanta Another Georgian here. Just wanted to wave at you from the other end of the state. :hand: Unfortunately :crazyeyes: ?? Heck, in Atlanta you can get anything you want! I lived in Atlanta for a while and though I'm not much of a big city girl, if ever I were to make a change and move back into a major city, it would be Atlanta. It's my favorite gee golly city in the US (and I've seriously traveled them ALL)! I'd love to move back up that way again. Where I live, Atlanta is considered "up north." :oops: Good luck finding the food you're looking for! :popcorn: Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted August 28, 2004 Posted August 28, 2004 Wow. Dogpaddle you sound like an expert. Thanks for the tips. I put him on a leash & dragged him down the steps into the back yard and he just sat there looking at me. I called the previous owner who said he kept him mainly outside. He doesn't want to leave my kitchen. Would not eat the puppy chow/ dry or can that I bought him (that's what the owner was giving him) instead ate, rice, salman, chicken & french fries.. I know, that sounds terrible. He has urinated in my kitchen and living room, and pooped in the garage. Right now he is sitting on the front patio and neither wants to come inside or go in the backyard (where it's fenced) There is a rather large dog next door and maybe he is afraid???? As for the GSD...We kept them outside strictly (lived in South Florida then) and my mother cooked cornmeal, mixed with beef, garlic, onions & pepper (black, green & whatever else she could find)religiously every week. They NEVER had worms, was not fat, very active and excellent guard dogs, had the prettiest coats of hair. We moved them down from NY with us in 79 (as 1-2 year olds) and she gave them away in 90. This is a great web site I am so glad I found it.. Off to look up stuff on the links dogpaddle gave me. Oh, as soon as I take pictures and figure out how to post them (not to computer savvy, took me all day to find this site, I'll post)... Quote
Canis erectus Posted August 28, 2004 Posted August 28, 2004 Aw, the poor guy is unsure of his new surroundings. It sounds to me like he's not used to being a part of a family. Nothing a little TLC can't fix :D Quote
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