So Arctic German Shepherd Rescue in Fairbanks has 3 female German Shepherd/Karelian Bear Dog puppies up for adoption. This is the same mix as my current dog Bandit who is one of the best dogs I've ever had.

Practically it doesn't make sense adopting a puppy. I work nights and a 12 hour shift is a long time for a puppy to hold her bladder. Emotionally Bandit is 10 and starting to slow down a little. A puppy could help keep him active. Also having Bandit to help raise and train a puppy would be a great thing.

My schedule for the next two weeks is a dumpster fire. I've got a couple weeks before I can make the drive to Fairbanks for a meet and greet with Bandit and the puppies and be able to think about it. If they're able to find homes for the pups between now and then it just wasn't meant to be.

The pups.


The Bandit.

Cute little buggers. Pups are great...and also a handful, especially when you're living alone and working 12s. It's a tough call and I can definitely see both sides. Our Moose was part of a litter of four at the pound and I still go back and forth about whether or not we should have taken two of them so that they could grow up together and entertain each other. And then there are days where he's more than enough by himself!

You do realize that this isn't a very good place to talk you out of such an endeavor?

Right?

Frankly I'm glad that I am a long way away from them. Dang good looking pups.

If you plan on keeping him in a crate for 12 hours a day don’t do it. If you have a setup that works for a dog door and the puppy can eventually take himself out and play with the other dog that’s different. Cool looking dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
You do realize that this isn't a very good place to talk you out of such an endeavor?

Right?

What? It’s not like I was asking if I should buy another gun?

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
You do realize that this isn't a very good place to talk you out of such an endeavor?

Right?

What? It’s not like I was asking if I should buy another gun?

N+1

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
You do realize that this isn't a very good place to talk you out of such an endeavor?

Right?

What? It’s not like I was asking if I should buy another gun?

You came here thinking we were going to talk you OUT OF getting a pup?
Seriously?

Enjoy the new furr-ball!
Consider getting a new vacuum. <-- This advice is coming from a 2 time German Shepherd Sheddard owner. Hair all over the place!

We had the same thought about a new dog at the tail end of Craz-Es life. We got a goldendoodle and broke his heart. He soldiered on but he was never the same.

^^^
My boy literally took his toys, went into his crate and covered himself with his blanket when I brought a new pup home. Pouted for days, and agreed, it changed his attitude. I’ll always regret that. The new pup took a toll on our relationship, and has played out to be more problematic than most of my pets in terms of time, money, and effort. Still love him, though.

That said, I completely understand wanting to get another mix of a dog you wouldn’t easily otherwise find, especially if it’s the best dog ever. I searched for years for another red female cattlejack, but when I finally found one, I had too many other obligations to make it fair.
Like you, I let fate do its thing, and she found another home before I could make up my mind.
Best of luck in your decision.

Do you have any neighbors/friends you trust who would stop by while you are working during the puppy phase? The main reason we never got another dog after losing our girls was 12 hour shifts and that our son had grown up and moved out.

Thats a good idea to take Bandit with you to meet them.

That little guy with his tongue out and the bright eyes is your huckleberry!

We got another Lab when our smart girl Coco was just over 2. Casper adores her, she treats him like an annoying little brother. Definitely need to make some arrangement so the pup isn’t crated 12 hours a day, it will make him destructive and unsocialized. But you already know that. Who looks after your current dog when you are out for 12 hours?

Keeping a puppy in a crate for 12+ hours a day doesn't seem like a good idea.

It would be easy to talk you out of it, but you posted the puppies’ picture. The force is strong with them.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Keeping a puppy in a crate for 12+ hours a day doesn't seem like a good idea.

Any

I just saw this thread. I'll share my thoughts. As others have said, there is no way a puppy can hold their bladder for 12 hours. As far as Bandit bonding with her and being a role model during her training. Well, I thought the exact same thing years ago when my German Shepherd was about the same age. Please keep in mind that this was my experience and not to be taken as gospel.

Clancy was one of the best dogs I have ever owned and I have owned many over my lifetime. I had the opportunity to adopt a GSD, a female puppy and seeing as how Clancy was 11 years old, I figured she would be a good companion for him and aid in her training.

Big mistake. He never liked her, at best he only tolerated her incessant yipping, playing and overall bothering him. She was oblivious to me as her master and in her mind, Clancy was the Alpha. Clancy died a year later and we got rid of that young lady shortly after that. A lesson learned for me. YMMV.