Things I suggest you have for your new puppy

This is what one of the new puppy owners had on their list of things to buy.  My remarks are in red.  Anything I am recommending is purely because I like them and use them.  I am receiving no money for recommending them.

Mary Ann

• Kennel ✅ Some people call them crates.
• Bed for kennel - Puppy may chew it. Be careful he/she does not ingest any of it. You may have to remove it until he/she gets older.
• Bed for living room ✅

• Dog food (kibble) - They are eating Petcurean NOW Fresh Large Breed Puppy food. Approximately 1.25 cups per meal. 3 meals a day. They also get a vitamin every day that we will talk about when you pick him/her up. They have to be ordered with a breeder number.
• Food and water bowls
• Collar✅

• ID tag✅
• Harness If you like the idea of a harness, get one where the leash attaches at the front of the chest. I also suggest a Gentle Leader or Easy Walk head halter but not until they are 6 months old.. Not a Halti. They are different.
• Leash ✅
• Poop bags✅
• Pee pads. Shouldn't be necessary unless you have to leave your puppy for very long periods alone. No point in teaching pads if you want him/her to go outside.
• Car seat cover ✅

• Hair grooming (we also have the dyson with the brush extension for when it's older) - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09BNMPL9T/?coliid=I5RYKCKSV7SKZ&colid=UWSN7C3S6ONE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im. These might be okay for later but they are too aggressive to start. See photo below.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B074YBX4V6/?coliid=I2CL9QWBCD0D4F&colid=UWSN7C3S6ONE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im

• Nail grooming - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B075N83693/?coliid=I1AOR62L9WL1FM&colid=UWSN7C3S6ONE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Don't get ones with the guard. They are a pain!
• Shampoo - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00106XDFM/?coliid=I1BE65BX9OC05O&colid=UWSN7C3S6ONE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im I don't see a brand I recognize on Amazon. You have to make sure it's a good quality shampoo as GSDs have higher PH levels than any other breed. They can end up with itchy skin otherwise. I buy mine at dog shows so you'll have to do your own research.
• Teething toys and regular toys. I suggest lots of bully sticks, Himalayan cheese sticks and puzzle toys to keep him/her busy as well.

• Add to the list (potentially) an exercise pen

https://www.amazon.ca/images/I/51LWzypLpIL._AC_UL232_SR232,232_.jpg

• and PINE shavings to teaching where to go to the bathroom outside. These are optional but make your life easier.

Temperament/Aptitude Testing

 

I have 7/9 pups tested and will do the last 2 today.  Tomorrow I will spend the day matching puppies with people.  It's a very long and stressful job making sure everyone has the best matched puppy possible.  Things to consider from the pups side:  health, energy level, sight sensitivity, sound sensitivity, focus, patience, forgiveness, confidence, food desire, retrieve desire, learning speed, play drive, prey drive, etc.   There's a LOT to placing a puppy!

Of course everyone wants the perfect puppy.  But you know what?  There is no perfect puppy.  You might ask for 10 things but your puppy might come with 7 of the 10.  But that's okay!  You know why?  Because there are many things that are TWEAKABLE.  Things that you can encourage more of or discourage.  Play and prey drive for instance.  You can build on what the puppy comes with or you can suppress what the puppy comes with.  Same with confidence.  Same with patience.  You cannot however change some things.  Like pain tolerance, and forgiveness.  Those are set in stone.  

Then there's the owners to take into consideration.  There's just as many categories there as there is for puppies.  Experience is the most important.  For instance I can take a mediocre puppy and turn him into a star.  That's because I've had decades and decades of learning dog psychology, behaviour and training.  So along with owner's energy levels, family specifics, etc both the amount of time they have for their dog and their previous experience play a large part in my decision.

The above photo is the room set up for testing.  That's not what the pup sees when he first comes in.  That is all the items I use to test for the above qualities.  Can you guess what each one is for?  It takes 15-30 minutes to test each puppy.  That all depends on the puppy.  You cannot rush these things!l

Anyways, I best get to testing the remaining pups.  I have owners waiting to hear!

Five in the bed and the little one said,

 Five in the bed and the little one said, Roll over, roll over,. There were four in the bed and the little one said rollover, rollover…

Fresh air, Exercise and Vitamin D!

 

I’ve earned my good breeder icon!

This is earned not given. There's an interview and seminars to attend. Not everyone who tries, gets this award. 

Mary Ann

Strange way to sleep

Mary Ann

Two Puppies Available!

Big, Little and Medium sized!

 It doesn't happen often but there are two puppies that are available for adoption.  If you have already sent a questionnaire and haven't heard from me, please re-send.  I've been finding these emails in the strangest places.   Spam, Junk, even in the garbage can!  

I've been so buys with 9 puppies, a four month old and 3 board and trains, that I've left finding approved families very late.  As I tell people often, I'm really good with dogs, not so much with business!  The pups will be starting to go to their new families after December 3rd.  

Best thing to do if you have sent a questionnaire recently and you haven't heard from me,  please email me again.  And don't be afraid to follow up with another email.  I have a sneaking suspicion that some questionnaires were bounced altogether.  

Questionnaires can be downloaded from the EXTRAS page on my website.  www.myguardianangelshepherds.com/Extras.html. The contract is there for your perusal only.  It
can be signed when you pick up your little fur ball!

Don't delay!  If you've been wanting a Guardian Angel Shepherd, maybe now is the time!

Mary Ann

Puppy Dinner time!

12-15 cups NOW Large Breed Puppy food topped with organic raw Greek yoghurt and a daily vitamin!

Random Nova Puppy Photos

Sorry, not the best photos but I thought you'd like to see them regardless.  It's all I have time for at the moment.  I'll try and get some better ones up soon!

Trinity

I love Trinity's conformation and super soft and shiny coat. She's waiting for her best friend, Lee-Ann, to come thru the door!

Miss Maya

Maya snoozing on the couch after chewing her knuckle bone.