Ellie came to live with us on Saturday. "Ellie" is short for Elinor Dashwood. (Our Pomeranian is Emma Woodhouse. Jane Austen fans might recognize something of a pattern here.)
I've been wanting to get back into walking the neighborhood, and Emma (being 11 years old) is more inclined to stay home and lay on the air conditioning vent on the floor. Also, we don't live in the slums or anything, but an 8 pound Pomeranian doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the level of my safety when walking alone in the early morning. She may be known as a vicious rabbit killer in our back yard, but I sincerely doubt she'd scare off an evil assassin.
Even more, I've been wanting the girls to have a dog they can grow and play with. Emma is not much for "playing." She will occasionally drag her stuffed squirrel out and give it a good hard shake, but that's really as far as it goes. She much prefers laying on the couch with T and watching The Walking Dead on Sunday nights. German Shepherds are great family dogs, very protective of "their" kids.
We found a great breeder in the Richmond area a few weeks ago and visited. After meeting the dogs and being sure it wasn't some kind of puppy mill, we decided to bring a puppy into our home. It's exciting and scary at the same time.
Ellie is very friendly and likes playing with the girls. I think she thinks they are puppies like her. Emma has made it very clear that she is the boss and is in no way interested in playing. At all. Ever. Thankyouverymuch. But other than Emma's aversion to play, they co-exist well.
She's clearly made herself at home in Emma's bed with all of Emma's toys. (To be fair, Emma doesn't play with them, she just collects them) Sorry for the iphone shot:
It's been tough readjusting to that "baby" puppy schedule of waking up at 3 and 6 to take her out, and she hates her crate (as in, screams like a dying turkey when we put her in at night), but she's fitting in well otherwise. Hoping that house training goes well. Now, if we could all get rid of this stomach bug and get it out of the house, we'll be golden!
So, nothing homey or foodie or crafty to share today. I've had sick kids, a new puppy, and I wasn't well myself...but I thought it would be fun to share some cute puppy pics today. They are hard to photograph unless they're sleeping because they wiggle so much!
German Shepherd Trivia:
-Most puppies' ears "pop" up some time in the first 6 months or so.
-The most "famous" German Shepherd was Rin Tin Tin, who was found as a puppy in a bombed out kennel during World War I by an American soldier who brought him home. He starred in 27 films, and is credited with keeping Warner Bros. afloat.
-German Shepherds are considered the third most intelligent dog breed, after the Border Collie and the Poodle.
-German Shepherds are part of the working dog group (they are herders)
Your best house training tip for puppies?
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So cute! I grew up with a German Shepherd and they are fantastic dogs with kids. Good luck with the house training and the chewing that comes along with a puppy. My last puppy decided my dining room table leg was a great teether and destroyed it.
ReplyDeleteEllie is adorable! We got a mini-schnauzer two years ago as a puppy and it was like having a baby all over again, taking him outside at night to use the bathroom. I got him for my kids, but he's definitely my "baby" now. Have fun with your new pup!
ReplyDeleteLooks just like our German Shepherd. Luckily they are so smart they house train fast...we just watched ours like a hawk and had him contained when we couldn't...we used an adjustable crate so he wouldn't use the back corner to do his business while he was still small. Lots of praise and treats when he went outside. Our German Shepherd is almost 2-1/2 now and is such a great dog...they do love and protect "their" kids. When my boys are playing outside our dog is right by them at all times, sitting guard over them. The hair is a pain but I'll take the hair for such a smart, protective dog :).
ReplyDeleteoooh Ellie is SO CUTE!!! I just love that little puppy face!! You're making me want a second dog too - but I think we should wait for the baby to come this summer before we get a second dog ;)
ReplyDeleteAwe she is very cute!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your latest addition... I was recommended training classes at pet smart when we adopted... It does help a lot!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! How adorable is she?? Congratulations on your newest addition!
ReplyDeleteMy best puppy training advice? Keep at it. Don't give up when it gets tiring (as it certainly will). You'll be so glad later for the time you put in now! (I learned this lesson the hard way!)
Seriously, are poodles smarter than German shepherds? Really??
I grew up with Shepherds and Labs. My younger brother has 3 Shepherds now, and our oldest daughter has a Shepherd/Husky mix. They are great family dogs, and yes very protective!!
ReplyDeleteAwww he's so cute!! Our yellow lab is getting old, our black one is gone recently, and we've decided no more. But seeing puppies I really want another! (our friends' lab is in labour, due any time! Oh that's going to be tough, not bringing one of these pups home).
ReplyDeleteMy sister has a shepherd and loved him, he was incredible with my niece & nephew, they truly are great kid dogs. Hope your training goes well!!
Debbie :)
OMG so adorable~!!! Best tip? Use a crate, 2nd best tip - if you can't use a crate then watch for when she is sniffing around because that means she's about to pee or poop. Scoop her up and take her to the same spot outdoors every time. Female shepherds figure this out super quick!!
ReplyDeletexox
Ellie is so cute!
ReplyDeleteEllie is the cutest puppy I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how much a dog ties you down, especially the puppy years. I have to race home every day to let Sherman out of his crate. I'm hoping that in a few months he can stay in longer than three hours.
It is nice to have a pet that will grow old with you.
ReplyDeleteI have raised several shepherds from puppies. If she hates her crate, try putting an old garment that smells like you for her to sleep on. What kind of crate is it? I got the wire kind, so he could see me when he slept in my room @ night. They are real people dogs & will pick their person out quickly. Also, I have never had a shepherd who didn't have his own stuffed toy that he loved. Have fun w/ her; they are such wonderful dogs!
ReplyDeleteFranz's human mom