<p>If by higher than normal you mean more than the costs of shots and/or microchipping, then yes I think we do know that. You’re not going to be able to bait and switch the OP into going to a vet if they’re too cheap to… and it’s not like they won’t be told how much treatment will cost when they’re there. Besides, the OP seems to be the most responsible one in the family (albeit, not saying much).</p>
<p>I still can’t believe your parents bought a dog like this…</p>
<p>Please let us know what the vet said and how the puppy is today!</p>
<p>People do things like this all the time… it is upsetting, but not shocking to me. They almost seem to think that buying a dog is like buying a lamp… you pick up whatever looks good, bring it home, set it on the floor-- and you’re done, everything is taken care of. Then people are shocked to discover there’s a lot more to it than that, and dogs end up at my shelter. OP’s parents are about to learn real quick. I hope the vet will help puppy and I agree with following up with someone about this breeder… my local humane society does cruelty investigation, maybe something similar is in your area.</p>
<p>We always say that breeding is an expensive hobby, not a source of income. If you’re doing it right, it isn’t an easy way to make a buck like some people seem to think. That’s why we look for people who have show titles and who are clearly interested in the welfare of the breed. They are doing it for love of the breed, not to make money. That’s the way it needs to be.</p>
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<p>No, you don’t know. We have no way to know. Often there is an exam fee, which covers quite a bit, and a good vet can tell a lot by examining the pup. (and who knows if they plan to microchip.) If we’re looking at dehydration or parasites, the treatment may be very reasonable.
Where vet costs get expensive is blood work and lab fees. We have no way of knowing if this will be necessary at the first visit. Worm meds, flea treatments and treating for dehydration are not expensive.</p>
<p>You’re arguing semantics against yourself… even the cheapest outcomes are still “higher than normal” - your words. By definition, normal costs do not include any additional treatment (cheaper medication or otherwise).</p>
<p>Anyway, hope the OP comes back with some good news.</p>
<p>What did the vet say??</p>
<p>That breaks my heart and at the same time makes me furious. There is a special place in you-know-where for people who abuse helpless animals for monetary gain (or abuse animals at all).</p>
<p>I pray that your puppy is okay, OP. Please let us know what the vet said as soon as you know.</p>
<p>Quick update the puppy is fine you know how like when you have a baby you can’t but be worried about every little thing it does that’s not normal that’s basically what I did, I overreacted. The puppy is fine its actually an entirely different pet outside and hates being indoors apparently it didn’t eat just because it didn’t like the food.we gave it. Our neighbor came over who has a couple of German Shepard’s herself and.fed him some of her dog food and he ate it all. She offered to help us and she has been extremely helpful, so from now on I will just ask her for help. You guys are acting like this puppy went to some.crack addict family talking about the lack of.responsibility we have. Of course my parents knew something serious may be wrong with this dog but we knew we could.offer it a better home that’s the point. Thanks.for.the help guys but I.ensure you the puppy is in good hands.</p>
<p>Did you actually take it to the vet, or just decide not to worry about it anymore? You didn’t say anything about a vet.</p>
<p>OP- I think the concern stated by HGFM was about the breeder possibly selling you a sick puppy, not about you. At least that was how I read it. What you posted sounded scary, we have all heard the horror stories and did not want that to happen to you!</p>
<p>A vet check was done by the seller on the day of the sale.which was provided with the papers saying everything was okay and another vet visit will be done tomorrow, it says in the contract a vet visit has to be done within ten days of purchase so don’t worry it will be done no matter what. Believe it or not my family is capable of raising a dog.</p>
<p>OP - To be fair, you were the one that made it sound like your family was irresponsible. I still don’t see anything to refute that either. And you’re going to have to get the dog comfortable indoors, because keeping a GSD outside is just asking for trouble.</p>
<p>By the way, I can’t imagine what food you got that your starving dog wouldn’t eat. Was it Purina?</p>
<p>Edit (posted after your post): Ok that makes it sound better</p>
<p>Is it just me or did the OP just do a complete 180? The OP is the one who said that the family wasn’t prepared and that the OP was trying to talk the family out of it. </p>
<p>No one thinks this puppy is going to a crack addicted family. People just want what’s best for both puppy AND family. If there is a mismatch, the puppy will often end up a dog in a shelter.</p>
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Actually, a puppy that age doesn’t know if it’s inside or outside. It just knows it’s not with mom and siblings anymore, and that alone can be very upsetting. I remember our Lab puppy crying piteously all night the first night home. (That’s a typical response, as opposed to silence, which is what worried everyone here.) We gave her a rolled up towel, stuffed animal, ticking clock–all the stuff they tell you will comfort a puppy, but nothing worked, and it just took time for her to forget her first family and get accustomed to us strangers.</p>
<p>So your parents were given the records from the vet, with initial shots, worming etc? That is very different from the picture you painted by posting this.
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<p>A healthy puppy will whine and cry when being removed from its mother and litter mates until it accepts its new family as its pack.
An ill dog, will not have enough energy to cry or eat.</p>
<p>OP, I was indeed talking about the breeder, not your family. I believe that your family had the best intentions, but your post this morning/last night about the dog’s health did point to a serious (even possibly fatal) illness. If it was that lethargic and didn’t even want to take food, it needs to see a vet yesterday. Most GSDs (and most other large dogs) will eat anything that stands still long enough for it to go in their mouth. We are not trying to insult you or your family; we just want you all to be happy and healthy. And it is highly unlikely that the dog had that much of a turnaround that quickly.</p>
<p>OP: I hope that your family has acquired a crate and some suitable <strong>large-breed</strong> puppy food–you fed a puppy CEREAL??–and has embarked on a housebreaking routine. There are many good books out there about raising a puppy. The Monks of New Skete, for example, have–or at least had–a good puppy book. Consistency and attention are key to housebreaking. Take the puppy out frequently on a leash–after eating, napping, playing, and in between–always go to the same spot, and WAIT until the puppy performs. If you see the puppy start to squat in the house, pick it up and dash outside to the spot. It is a good idea to pick a phrase such as “go potty” and repeat it enthusiastically when the puppy squats to pee or poop, followed by extravagant praise. Eventually the dog will associate the phrase with the act, and you will be able to tell him what you want him to do by using it. Crate training is great–just make sure that you NEVER take the puppy out of the crate when s/he is crying, howling, and begging to be let out: wait until s/he is quiet. </p>
<p>And with a German Shepherd, my advice is to NEVER play tug-of-war games. They are a mouthy breed, and that just makes it worse.</p>
<p>And beware overfeeding. Kind-hearted owners often do so. A breed with potential hip issues needs high-quality large-breed puppy food for steady growth, not supermarket puppy food. And if I were you I would not feed any canned food, just kibble. There are endless arguments about what to feed dogs, but you would be wise to pick a food with human-grade ingredients. No corn! Something like Wellness.</p>
<p>Well there sure are lot of varied opinions on the topic of dogs. I don’t think there is any right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a shelter, rescue or pure bred dog. I happen to fall into the category of dealing with reputable breeders…the ones that show, breed carefully with health, temperament and meticulous screening of potential owners</p>
<p>That being said, I wouldn’t impose my choice on others who prefer shelter or rescue only</p>
<p>What I hands down do not support is back yard breeders who produce litters for cash
Also, no puppy mills or " farm raised " puppies
So many red flags that should not be ignored in order to save money on a purchase of a puppy
If you cannot afford a puppy that was bred with integrity, then it is probably best tolook into rescue or shelter dogs
I am also not a fan of cross breeding dogs to make a designer dog…and charging money for that</p>
<p>Distemper. That poor puppy is a goner.</p>
<p>The topic of food always gets people touchy so I try to avoid it, but I’m a big fan of Orijen. A lot of people are turned off high quality dog food by the cost, but you can feed a lot less because the nutritional value is so much better - even the suggested feeding quantities on the back of the bags will confirm such. And yes definitely crate train your dog, it only takes a few days and will save you incredible amounts of time and energy down the line.</p>
<p>Walker - It does sound like it could be distemper, but that’s only one possibility.</p>