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The Shepherds of MondouCu “When the going gets tough, the tough Pack In”  
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NOTICE!!!
The information provided on this page is shared to explain how our “Modified Pack” works and how this makes our dogs, and the pups and young dogs we provide to others different from other German Shepherd Dogs. The methods MondouCu German Shepherds uses are a way of life for us, our pack members and our friends. A “True Pack” can be volatile, dangerous, and potentially deadly. Without the correct structure, discipline, love, compassion and hierarchy it can be lethal chaos. We do not allow our dogs to hunt or kill; mate indiscriminately; run at large harassing our neighbors, or prevent “strangers” from coming onto our property. We remain the pack Alpha’s. Our combined education and background allows us to share in the raising of a Modified Pack. We keep the safety of our community, ourselves and pack members in the front of our minds every day.
The pups and young adults we place are highly socialized with other dogs, form strong attachments to their “new family pack”, are able to go to dog daycare and into new neighborhoods safely and with ease. The dogs we choose to bring into our pack as pups or as adults are stable-minded, well tempered, and are introduced safely, gradually and with the language and common sense of canine at the forefront. Bonding with our puppies and dogs typically only takes a few days. House training is typically a success within a week. We begin crate training at 10 weeks, house training begins at 6 weeks.
Our standards are STRICT. We stand a firm line regarding temperament.
A Quick Note To Other Breeders: Many of our dogs have been taught in the MondouCu way from birth. If you are a highly experienced professional, knowledgeable in human and canine body language and postures, are aware of pack structure, and are willing and capable to meet the demands put upon yourself and your dogs by this way of life and if you are trying to establish a pack or would like to, please contact us. We are capable of providing training to those who pass our screening process. Contact us for further details.
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“Pack Training” for the dogs, begins at three weeks of age. Our pups are named at this time and the Dam allows other members of the pack to begin to interact with the pups. The other pack members are supervised by one of us (as we are the pack “Alpha’s”) during this time of integration. Prior to this, the dam shares a room at night with the older, stable, mature dogs of the pack, with us. During the day, the dam attends to the pups by herself.
The photo to the left is of one of our males in the whelping box with a litter of three week old pups. Although it cannot be seen in the photo, the dam is just off to the left relaxing while he entertains the litter.
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At three weeks of age, the whelping box is moved to a central location in the house, typically the dining room or the living room. Pups are supervised while eating their “gruel,” during the early stages of play between one another and throughout the day. The older dogs have supervised time with the litter and the litter “nanny” (a dog that the dam is comfortable with) is in constant attendance.
At night the older dogs are put away for the safe keeping of the pups. The dam and the “nanny” remain in attendance with the pups throughout the night.
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As the pups age, their level of development changes. They begin to explore the world around them. The world we create for them is one of safe exploration while maintaining the “reality” of being in the home.
Notice in the photo to the left, these pups ARE NOT enclosed in a pen, we adjust our environment for them so they easily adjust in your home.
Pups shown here are ~4 weeks old. Ellie (not the litter nanny or the dam) allows the pups to explore while keeping them safe and teaching them boundaries.
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Pups continue to grow and explore, having time with us both outside and inside the home. One on one time becomes as important as group time. Pups begin to learn that some behaviors are good and others are bad. We use the natural methods in this development stage as it has proven through the years to WORK! It’s all about cause and effect. When a pup does something good, he or she is rewarded, when the pup does something bad, he or she is corrected. It is the way things happen in nature, in our pack, with our dogs and in life. We DO NOT believe in only using positive reinforcement training, that IS NOT natural and only makes it confusing for the pups and the dogs.
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Socialization with the dogs and pups of other ages is very important. Without proper socialization, a dog will have life long issues.
Shown in the photo to the left is Kiaya - our “k-9 alpha” two litters of pups that are 6 weeks apart in age and Tori, one of the younger members of the pack in this photo.
Notice - Dogs ARE den animals, if you don’t give them one, they will create one, this photo was taken under the desk in the den.
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We being off leash training with all of our pups. There is nothing worse than to have a pup that has no concept of the words, “no”, “sit” and “here”. Sure, there are many other commands they need to know, however these are the fundamentals and we teach them so they will learn to follow the commands when given.
The photo is of part of the Gardus crew shown here at 3 1/2 months (15 weeks).
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Play and interaction is a BIG part of our methods. To be successful, our dogs and puppies must engage.
Play between German Shepherds IS not human play. It is rough, it can result in black eyes, scratches, missing fur, the wind being knocked out of someone, however our dogs will settle down when one of their pack mates calls “mercy”.
We have included a couple other photos of the play so you can see the level to which the German Shepherd really plays.
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We have story time...
There are 9 adult intact dogs in this photo both males and females.
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