How To Speak To A German Shepherd

How To Discipline A German Shepherd Puppy

• Puppies

German Shepherds can be the most well-mannered and obedient dogs. However, much of how they behave depends on how you train them and keep their manners in check.

Although adult GSDs are perfectly capable of learning, its always ideal to start disciplining dogs when they are young. ;So how do you discipline a German Shepherd puppy?

This article will dive into the best and most effective ways of disciplining a GSD puppy when needed.

The Key Takeaways Here Are:

• For effective German Shepherd training, you must be a good leader in your dogs life.
• Leadership is about using brains and NOT brawn to train your German Shepherd.
• Understand what your dog is not , learn to speak your dogs language, and get inside his head.
• Always be patient and consistent with your training and reinforcement.
• Aggressive methods are not effective when training your German Shepherd. You will see little to no results, it will cause trust issues and youll break your dogs spirit. Always be kind!
• Positive reinforcement and training will bring quicker, long-lasting results. And build a strong relationship of trust and love between you and your German Shepherd.

Check out this article to learn how to teach your German Shepherd not to jump on you or your guests.

German Shepherd Training: The 7 Golden Rules & Basic Commands

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Im sure youll agree when I say:

A well-trained dog is a pleasure to have around.

If you own an untrained pooch you know the frustration it causes.

Whether youve just brought home your first German Shepherd.

Or if youve finally decided its time to teach your old dog new tricks

Youve come to the right place to get the 101 on German Shepherd training.

It is a fact that German Shepherds are among the brightest and most intelligent working dogs.

Preceded only by the Border Collie and the Standard Poodle.

This is according to a book published by Stanley Coren in 1994 The Intelligence of Dogs.

You can read more about his study and the metrics here.

Thanks to their ability to understand new commands in less than 5 repetitions and obeying the first command 95% of the time or more.

And the desire to please you; most owners can succeed at training their dog on their own.

Because of their intelligence, German Shepherds can sometimes be stubborn. They need a firm hand and a smart approach to their training.

Training your German Shepherd is exciting. But sometimes dog training can seem overwhelming if you don’t even know where to begin.

So heres the deal:

Youve got to get inside your German shepherds head

And Im about to show you exactly how you can do this:

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Body Language Signs From Your German Shepherd

Without any way of communicating with you verbally , your German Shepherd has to use body language to get his point across. You will get to know all of the body language that your GSD displays but its also important to understand how unfamiliar dogs communicate.

Lets example fifteen different ways that dogs might try to tell you something:

• Looking away from you is a common sign of submissiveness. When trying to read your German Shepherds body language and he doesnt look at you directly in the eyes for too long, hes letting you know that youre the one in charge. Its not a sign of fear as much as a sign of respect and acknowledging the hierarchy between you.

• Intense focus and staring at one object, person, or another animal is a potential sign of aggression. While it sometimes means that your German Shepherd is confused about whats happening, its often an indicator that he is going to bark or, even worse, bite. Check to see if his hair is standing up or not. If it is, move away slowly. For more detail on this, here are some reasons why your German Shepherds hackles stand up.

• Yawning can mean a few different things as well. It could simply mean that your GSD is tired and in need of some rest, but it could also indicate that theyre stressed. Yawning is often a sign of submissiveness or worry that something will harm them. If your dog keeps yawning, try to figure out whats causing the stress.

How To Decide If You Can Afford The Overall German Shepherd Cost

Overall, German Shepherds cost around the same amount as other large breed dogs in the United States.

With so many numbers being tossed around, the official German Shepherd cost can be confusing.

On average, raising a large breed dog from puppyhood costs around $23,410. So, where does the German Shepherd stand in comparison?

Great question.

Raising A German Shepherd The Breakdown of German Shepherd Cost

Remember, the first year of German Shepherd ownership is going to be most expensive. Youll not only be putting down your initial payment on a German Shepherd puppy, but youre also stocking up on supplies and getting a handle of first-time medical expenses.

Then youll have the average cost of caring for a German Shepherd throughout his life.

The Average German Shepherd Puppy Costs $800

The Average First Year Of GSD Ownership is around $3,815

The Average Total For That First Year of German Shepherd Cost Is $4,615

The Average Lifespan of A German Shepherd is Around 12 to 14 Years

The Average Yearly Cost of Raising A German Shepherd After Year One Is $1,764

The Total Average Cost For Raising A German Shepherd For 12 to 14 Years Is Between $24,019 to $27,547.

On the low end, the average German Shepherd cost is not much more than the average cost of raising a dog of any breed.

Furthermore, there are a few ways you can go about cutting costs without cutting the quality of your German Shepherds supplies, food, health or life.

Read Also: How Much Should A German Shepherd Weight At 6 Months

Protect Your Furniture And Floor

With the squishy, loving part out of the way, we should look at practicality. Heat cycles can be messy.

Between the excessive urination, the bloody discharge, and the antsy chewing, your house could end up a huge mess.

If you prepare now, however, you can avoid all of that, reducing your stress and your dogs.

Get some period panties for your GSD in heat. These are basically dog diapers. They are designed to catch the discharge and may even save your rug from a urination accident.

Dog diapers come in a variety of sizes, styles, and prices. There are disposables available, but if you care about the environment, look into washable fabric diapers or period garments.

Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

A word of warning: Do not use dog diapers as a birth control method. They do not stop hormone-driven dogs from mating.

What If My German Shepherd Is A Variety Of Mixes

People often adopt dogs from the local shelter, which is an incredibly loving thing to do that they certainly appreciate. They seem to know that theyve been given a second chance and dont want to disappoint their new owner. But this adoption makes it difficult to determine what the pet is mixed with.

One thing to keep in mind is that having a mutt in many ways is like holding a golden ticket because they normally dont have the health issues that many purebreds do. Their mixed breeding also offers unique coats, body shapes, and behaviors that only nature can provide.;;

Unfortunately, its often this natural blend that lands many dogs in the shelters in the first place. Owners often fail to understand how the dogs mix will impact behavior.

Many German Shepherd mixes, for example, end up in animal shelters simply because owners dont understand and work with the dogs natural protective instincts, mistaking them for aggression.;

If the desired dog is part German Shepherd, the chances are high that the local shelter will have several options. So, the crucial thing to remember is the importance of determining the dogs other breeds. While a DNA test may not be available, there are ways to make an educated guess.;

Before leaving for the shelter, study various breeds and start making observations at the kennel gate. Once the selection is narrowed down to two or three candidates, make observations in the shelter playroom to determine the dogs general disposition.

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Which Shots Has The Puppy Been Given

You will want to know for certain which vaccinations the puppy has had, and if its been de-wormed. A puppy will need a few rounds of shots, but it should have had its first round before it goes home with you.

A German Shepherd puppy should have specific vaccinations by a certain age. The table below will provide you will a full list of age appropriate vaccinations from puppy to adult:

Shedding For The Season

Dogs have two different types of coats. Some have hair that continually grows. Others have fur that sheds. German Shepherd Dogs have a double coat of fur.

According to Dog.com, the undercoat serves as an insulator layer to protect the dog from extreme temperatures.

The top layer serves to protect the dog from light injury and add additional insulation from temperature. Throughout the year, some of this fur detaches from the body , in order for new growth to come in.

German Shepherd Dogs go through two big shedding cycles every year to adapt to the coming season. This act is usually referred to as blowing their coat. You can recognize this when you pet them and get a big clump of fur in your hand.

You will also notice that there is more fur around the house than normal. This is their body shedding off their previous seasons coat in order to prepare for the coming one .

The best way to keep up with their shedding is daily brushing with a de-shedding brush or comb. You will want to make sure you are getting both the top layer and undercoat when doing this.

Use positive techniques and stay consistent with this daily routine. After some time, this can become a great bonding experience.

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How To Teach A German Shepherd To Stop:

Practice the stop frequently so that your dog understands they arent in trouble and nothing bad happens after the stop.

You always want to have a reliable stop in case of an emergency .

Train Your Gsd Rescue Dog Not To Cry So Much

German Shepherds are so sensitive that being relinquished and re-homed can be especially hard on this dog breed.

You may get your new GSD rescue pup home only to discover your dog develops a full-blown case of separation anxiety whenever you are not clearly visible and available to your dog.

As All Shepherd Rescue charity explains, separation anxiety can be a much bigger problem to address than simply removing social reinforcement for the behavior.

Your dog isnt just a little bored or slightly lonely. Your GSD is panicked!

Dont be afraid to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer if you find that managing separation anxiety in a re-homed GSD is beyond what you feel comfortable coping with alone.

It often takes a combination approach that may include environment and behavioral changes, canine medication, and re-training to help your dog feel more comfortable without needing 24/7 you-time.

Making use of a dog walker, doggie daycare, or a friendly dog-loving neighbor or friend when you have to be out can spell you during the re-training process.

Ideally, no one would choose a German Shepherd dog without knowing in advance that these dogs tend to be naturally vocal. Yet it happens every day.

There is so much to learn about the German Shepherd dog breed that sometimes the vocalization habits just get overlooked.

Now that you understand your experience with GSD crying is not unique to you and your dog, you can start taking steps to reduce the crying behaviors.

Read Also: How To Get A German Shepherd’s Ears Up

What A Breeder Might Ask You

Matching the right puppy with the right buyer is precisely what an ethical breeder is concerned with, too.

Dont be alarmed if it suddenly feels like the breeder is interviewing you: thats a good sign!

Just be sure to come prepared to answer questions, which might include:

• Do you own or rent? The breeder isnt being nosey if they ask this: some landlords dont allow pets on the premises. The best breeders want to get a feel for your ethics just as much as you do theirs. If youre a renter, dont be surprised if the breeder asks for your landlords contact info so they can confirm that a puppy would be allowed to live with you.
• Have you ever had a German Shepherd? The temperaments and needs of different dog breeds can be as distinct as their appearances. But it shouldnt be a mark against you if youve never owned a German Shepherd before. Be honest and open to what the breeder has to advise.
• How do you plan to exercise the dog? Theyll likely talk about exercise! A German Shepherd needs plenty of it. Knowing beforehand how you plan to exercise your pup will help you and the breeder both.
• Have you ever trained a dog before? Because theyre so intelligent, German Shepherds are an easily trainable breed. However, their training needs to begin right away, so they dont grow up stubborn and unmanageable. But if youve never trained a dog before, dont worry. It might be helpful to come prepared with the name of an obedience school that you plan to bring the pup to instead.

Watch A World Championship Dog Trainer Working With A German Shepherd

This amazing routine on YouTube taken from the 2018 World Cup showcases what is truly possible in terms of training a German Shepherd in a working K-9 role.

While you might never need to train your GSD to this advanced level, there is no reason why your dog cannot learn to be just as responsive to the basic commands you need them to learn.

This is ultimately for your safety, for your dogs safety, and for the safety of others in your community.

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Skeletal Health And Supplementation

Musculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that are often associated with genetic makeup, malnutrition, and stress-related events. Some breeds like the German shepherd, are predisposed to a variety of different skeletal disorders, including but not limited to: canine hip dysplasia, Cauda equina syndrome, and osteoarthritis. These conditions can be a result of poor breeding or induced by intense exercise and poor diet.

Canine hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition resulting from abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissue causing the instability and partial dislocation of the hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation, lameness, and potentially osteoarthritis of the joint. German shepherds are genetically predisposed to CHD and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany found its prevalence estimated to be approximately 35% of veterinary cases associated with the disorder.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main contributors of musculoskeletal pain and disabilities that commonly affect German shepherds. Mechanical stress, oxidative damage and inflammatory mediators combine to induce the gradual degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint, resulting in reduced muscle mass, pain, and locomotion.

Vitamins such as A and D also have crucial roles in bone development and maintenance by regulating bone and calcium metabolism. Adequate levels should be incorporated into a German shepherd diet to promote a healthy musculoskeletal system.