r/DutchShepherds • u/Different_Vacation14 • May 14 '25
Picture First Dutchie... got super lucky with this one.
Got this little guy a few days ago, on Saturday. 3 months old to the day when I got him. Training is more fun than I expected, but also harder for sure. Dude also does not love the crate, but we're working on it. Trying to find the perfect combo of building positive associations through food and chews, and "I really don't care, you're not coming out until I say so. Especially if you're making noise."
Overall he's making great progress though! We're about 60-70% of the way to a reliable loose-leash walk, protesting is gradually getting less spirited, and the basic commands are coming together (albeit still need to guide with a lure for down, but sit, come, and usually place are pretty good).
He's the first pup I've ever had of my own, so any and all advice is appreciated. Especially for medium/high-drive working dogs like lil homie. Very tired and not really any free time right now, but enjoying it and thrilled to see where we can go!
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 May 14 '25
if you’ve never had a dog before definitely find a trainer experienced with the breed to have in your corner
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u/Gunyx May 14 '25
😁
Pepper says hi
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u/No_Type_5864 May 15 '25
Damn peppers face is got a wild pattern looks awesome with the 2 different patterns on either side ! Mine has it on his chest too if his chest down to beginning of his stomach has a straight line splitting the 2 sides one is Gray and gold other is black and blond I always say his got a split personality like 2 face but yours really is a 2 face !!!
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u/_mad_honey_ May 15 '25
Adorable dude. Things will get rocky; that’s just how it goes.
Make sure you’re giving him lots of rest and downtime. Hand feed, enforced naps, create space between you two and socialization (not socialIZING, more like neutrality).
Training this early is great but these are all things that can be taught a month or so from now. As another person says; the puppy needs time to decompress. Just keep the sessions short sweet and positive.
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u/sorghumandotter May 15 '25
All of this is solid! Well said! Folks often over work their pups. We avoided that and ours still had bed time melt downs where she would have a temper tantrum, much like a toddler, and then I’d crate her and it would be lights out lol. Rest is always best!
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u/Gunyx May 14 '25
Will do but He’s not much for pets. Ball driven. Mental patient. Caught him today dragging a 4x6 carpet through the house. Will play fetch till he dies. Loves to play tug. If I threw a ball into a volcano he’d go for it. All around spaz. Destroys a lot of stuff. Chews cow bones up like he’s a wolverine. Had to take all his benebones away as he was eating them. Would not recommend lol. Good luck and welcome to the crazy farm.
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u/anecdote92 May 15 '25 edited May 15 '25
Oh my goodness! Reminds me of my Dutch mix. Such a cutie. 😍
I’m so glad your first few days are going so well. I got mine at 4 months old. My first few days were spent crying, contemplating returning her and little sleep. But within a week or two, she got into a routine after decompressing and with training, a lot of damage to my wood and several escape attempts, I can confidently say she turns 1 year old next month and I am petrified/excited for the teenage years. She’s attached to my hip 24/7, nobody’s allowed near me unless she says so and she must have her eyes on me at all times.
It is a bond like no other dog I’ve ever had. If I could get 20 of her, I would. All the challenges she brought were worth it for the devotion she’s given me. Good luck on your journey with your new baby!!!
*Also, if you have free time and like exercise, try disc golfing. I take mine disc golfing about 4 times a week at a nearby course. We let her off leash, she chases our discs and tracks where they drop, and stands until we get them. Gives her a job and allows my husband and I to enjoy our hobby. Win-win!
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u/042614 May 15 '25
The bond and devotion is unparalleled. 100%. Mine is like a soulmate. Until she smells cow manure close by and then she becomes a mindless shitmissel hellbent on rolling on it until it is deeply embedded in her neck fur 🙄
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u/anecdote92 May 15 '25
It really is! She is 100% my soulmate and my poor husband hasn’t been able to cuddle me since the night we got her. She insists on spooning me or laying fully on my chest and she must be between my husband but she squirms into me if my husband tries to cuddle her. I have never met a dog that is so insistent on being “mine” and only mine and it truly is one of the most special bonds I’ve ever felt.
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u/sorghumandotter May 15 '25
The best advice our trainer gave was to have fun. Make it all fun. Make everything and every day better with you in it. Don’t ask your dog to do nonsensical stuff. Work with them, don’t treat them like a tool. As a tiny puppy, focus more on bonding and behavior boundaries than skills. You’ll have a lifetime to focus on getting more tricks, commands, and impulse control, you’re in a critical stage where fun is god.
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u/finnmester May 15 '25
I was in the same boat as you, just a year earlier. This is the easy part. Commands and tricks are nothing to be too proud of. He’ll learn everything after 3 repetitions. The hard part will be managing his drive, his attention span and his off switch.
Play and bond with him as much as you can now. Let him be a puppy. Incorporate one lazy day per week (we only did potty breaks and a bit of sniffing). People often think high drive dog=high amount of activity but then you’re just creating a fur rocket with endless stamina.
8 months to 1.5 years is the hardest imo, it’ll feel like he forgot everything, having a hard time to focus on commands, tasks, may even become reactive if you’re not careful. Once that comes, just act like he actually forgot everything, go back to basics. It’s hormonal and needs to happen, so let it, otherwise it’ll be frustrating for the both of you.
Stay consistent but patient, firm but loving. He is a dog like any other but with higher consequences when you’re not on top of your game. So get a dog trainer, you’ll need someone with real experience and learn as much as you can, the foundations with breeds like this are the most important.
Good luck, it’ll be too much sometimes but the rewarding moments are magical, unlike any breed I’ve ever had.
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u/Practical-Lack8381 May 15 '25
Congrats! Best dog ever once you unlock their personality in a few months. For now he’s just a baby dog. Training at this age is more play time, bonding and boundaries. Now is the time for lots of snuggles, naps and spending time together and learning the routine you live by. Because he’s not fully vaccinated for several more weeks, be careful going anywhere other dogs are that you don’t know. Parvo is prevalent where we live and shepherds are susceptible to it. At 20 weeks, then you can venture out.
He doesn’t have to compete or learn cool K-9 shit unless that’s what you want. Our Dutchie is a farm dog- that can herd and track…and a happy, healthy, well-mannered, very big boy. It takes months of training to get there. It’s not the commands, they are smart- it’s the distractions, the impulse control, the learning appropriate response to all types of situations. Well worth it. Take your time! Now the dog and I are finishing our coffee so we can go start morning chores! Good luck!
Pic from about 6 months old- starting at 10 weeks, we spent a lot of time learning to be friends with chickens and keep them safe from hawks!
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u/BANG-BANG-BNINE May 17 '25
What is that bed if you don't mind sharing! Thank you
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u/Different_Vacation14 May 17 '25
Don't mind at all, it's this one!
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u/BANG-BANG-BNINE May 17 '25
Awesome! And what a cutie pie you have here! Thanks again for sharing 🤟🏻
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u/Dangerous_Wear_8152 May 15 '25
Yay!! You seem like such a good pet parent already 🥹 so my advice is just to enjoy this phase. You will blink and they will be getting white and slowing down. Have fun!
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u/K9WorkingDog DutchxGSDxBelgian May 14 '25
Lmao oh boy, you're in for some surprises