Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way
If you havent trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!
And in most cases its still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether theyll be naughty or not. Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.;
What About Other Cancers
While it is true that neutering eliminates the risk of your Rottweiler developing testicular cancer, you should know that there is also research that shows an increase in the incidence of different cancers in neutered dogs.
In one study by Gretel Torres de la Riva et al., the incidence of lymphosarcoma was three times higher in neutered dogs compared to intact dogs. However, the study does specify that this referred to early neutering.
The link between cancer and sterilization is a topic that scientists are often investigating, which means that there is regularly new information coming to light.
So, speak to your veterinarian about what the common consensus is among the professionals of the industry before making your decision.
When To Spay A Femalepuppy
Conventional beliefs state that female German Shepherds should be spayed before they go into first heat, around 6 months of age.
This is because studies have shown that spaying at this time would practically eliminate the risk of breast cancer and the uterine infection called pyometra.
However, there are various other factors to consider before making the decision to spay.
| Spaying of German Shepherd Dogs and Female-Specific Illnesses | ; |
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Spaying at younger than 6 months old gives your German Shepherd the highest risk of developing at least one type of cancer. Based on cancer risk, the best spay age is between 6 months and less than 2 years of age.
Taking into account the risk for joint disorders, female-specific diseases, and associated cancers, the best age to spay a female German Shepherd is around 1 year old.
Also Check: Who Created The German Shepherd Dog
What Happens If You Neuter A Dog Too Early
Neutered dogs have less testosterone which means less aggressive behavior and drive. However, testosterone does not solely control aggressive behavior and sex drive; it is also a critical hormone for regulating muscle fiber, growth, and various other developmental factors.;
Neutering a German Shepherd before proper development has occurred, after the age of one, has been linked to serious health issues, including the following:
Your Female Dogs Spay Experience
The skin on the abdomen is shaved or clipped and treated with an antiseptic solution. A small abdominal incision is made, and the uterus and ovaries are removed. The blood supply of the uterus is clamped during surgery to prevent bleeding.
The procedure may take as little as 20 minutes but could last up to 90 minutes, depending on factors like age and size. The wound is sealed with surgical glue, staples, or sutures. Abdominal incisions go through several layers of skin, so your vet will close the incision in two to three layers.
If the surgery is performed during estrus , expect it to take longer, require more supplies, and be a little riskier. The medication used before, during, and after surgery may vary as well. These adjustments often lead to a more expensive vet bill.
Post-Spay Care
A spay is more invasive than neuter, so it can take a bit longer for dogs to heal after being spayed. The dog wakes up and will not be sore immediately. Vets usually prescribe minor pain medication for the days after the surgery, and once again, youre required to check for infection. The dog can eat a light meal when she returns home and will probably regain her normal appetite by the next day. Fresh water should always be available for the dog to drink.
Read Also: How Often Should German Shepherds Be Bathed
Do German Shepherds Mellow Out
Yes, a German Shepherd mellows out when all his needs and securities are fulfilled. GSDs mellow out when owners properly train them against the situation of separation anxiety and hunger issues.
When an owner spends his time with his beloved pet, he gets mellow out. High testosterone level causes aggressive behaviors. After getting neutered or spayed, the hormonal imbalance of testosterone-like hormones gets correct and GSDs calm down.
Contact the nearest veterinarian for spaying and neutering.
What If I Want To Breed My German Shepherd Before I Neuter Him
Its not a good idea to casually undertake to breed your dog. You may think hes wonderful and there should be more like him, but thats usually not a good idea unless you know what youre doing.
Dog breeding should only be undertaken by people who know what theyre getting into. Theres a lot more to it than just putting two dogs together and welcoming a batch of puppies 63 days later.
When you breed your dog, youre contributing to the millions of unwanted pets that fill the shelters at any given moment.
Your dog shouldnt be bred before you neuter him, either. You may be teaching him to desire breeding even after hes neutered because hes learned that he likes it, contributing to his problem behavior.
Without a clear understanding of the potential genetic problems of any puppies your dog might produce, such as hip dysplasia or spinal degeneration, you may end up helping to create puppies that carry on these negative traits instead of helping to breed these traits out.
You also need to have a solid grasp of what your dogs ancestry is, what the strong points versus weaknesses in his background are, and whether or not hes likely to pass those down to his progeny.
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Creating A Calm Environment
Does Neutering Your Dog Calm Them Down
- Fact Checked
There are many reasons why a pet owner may choose to neuter their dog. Unfortunately, its a sad reality that there is an overpopulation of pets in the world, and many of them are being euthanized as a result.
Because of this reality, responsible pet owners find themselves asking whether or not they should neuter their dog, and what, if any, impact it may have on their pet. Fortunately, the answer is yesneutering your dog can have a positive impact on your dogs tranquility, behavior, and health.
Only you can make the decision to neuter your dog, but if you have no plans to breed them either now or in the future, it is highly advised that you consider it. This is for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is your dogs health, well-being, and emotional state.
A dog that has not been neutered can experience frustration if they are not able to mate with a female dog, and this can lead to unnecessary canine aggression and undesirable behavior. In fact, most animals that owners have no intention of breeding are often neutered as a way to help prevent unwanted sexual behaviors and accidental breeding. Its also potentially a way to reduce aggressive tendencies in a dogs behavior, provided those tendencies are related to hormones and not just poor discipline and training.
Also Check: How To Know If German Shepherd Is Pregnant
Common Misconceptions Of Neutering
It is widely and falsely believed that neutering calms a dog down. However, an adult or adolescent dogs basic temperament is relatively independent of testosterone, and neutering wont make any significant changes to his intelligence or personality. What it can do is affect his emotional state, and what behavioural options occur to him.
Con: Neutering Your Rottweiler Is A Cost
The neutering procedure is less invasive than the spaying procedure , so it is less expensive, but it is definitely not a negligible cost.
The actual price for neutering your Rottweiler will depend on where you live, what rates your chose veterinarian practice charges, or if you use a low-cost community-driven facility .
Please note that the cost of neutering your Rottweiler should never be the sole reason for not doing it.
Ideally, you should decide if you want to neuter your Rottweiler or leave him intact before you get him.
If you think that the advantages of neutering a Rottweiler make it the responsible decision, but you cannot afford the surgery, then it might be best to save up for the neutering before you get your dog.
Fortunately, neutering is a once-off procedure, so it is a once-off cost. ;;
Read Also: What Kind Of Dogs Are German Shepherds
Can A 10 Year Old Dog Get Neutered
Spaying and neutering dogs isnt just about population control, and it isnt something just done to puppies, either. Although veterinarians usually prefer to spay and neuter dogs when they are young, neutering or spaying older dogs, or any age dog for that matter, can be done with some careful planning.
When Will My German Shepherd Calm Down A Guide For New Owners
German shepherd dogs are intelligent, loyal, and, most of all, very active. And its the latter behavior that gives rise to the question, when will my German shepherd calm down?
German shepherds will start becoming hyper when they turn 2-4 months. And the more they grow, the more they will become fascinated by everything in their vicinity.
Its when German shepherds are 4-12 months that they will become super active. Later on, these German shepherds will become calm when they turn three years, and they are almost done with the teenage period.
With that said, if you are interested to know when your German shepherd will calm down, continue reading.
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Also Check: How Much Do German Shepherds Weigh
Pro: Neutering Your Rottweiler Can Reduce Their Risk Of Developing Certain Hormone
Testicular cancer and prostate disease are not the only two types of conditions that neutering your Rottweiler can help to prevent. There are many other hormone-related diseases.
One of the more significant hormone-related diseases are Benign Perianal Adenomas. These are tumors of the perianal area, and they affect the modified sebaceous gland of this area.
Neutering your Rottweiler can help to prevent the development of these tumors because testosterone and estrogen both play a role in their formation and growth.
Dogs Can Be Energetic Depending On Their Age Breed And How Much Exercise They Are Getting We’re Taking A Look At Whether Or Not Neutering Can Help ‘calm’ A Dog Down
A lot of the questions we get about neutering dogs are often behaviour related and usually its a male dog involved!
Any dog owner knows how energetic they can be, especially with breeds like Staffies who need a lot of exercise every day and are known for being really high energy. Theres absolutely nothing wrong with an energetic dog, they just need a little guidance in using their energy in the right places.
As to whether neutering will calm your dog, the answer is yes and no. Obviously, wed always recommend neutering your pet. There are lots of health benefits not to mention preventing unwanted litters. Also, if you find your dog humps a lot, then neutering can help to stop this happening if theyre humping because theyre hormonal.
If your dogs hyperactive behaviour is also down to hormones, then neutering should help. A lot of owners find their dog chills out more after being neutered whether theyre male or female.
While neutering your dog might help to calm them down a bit, sometimes thats not the only cause of a dog being a bit much. You might find they arent getting enough exercise and need to let off steam. You can check out this infographic to help you find out how much exercise your dog needs by their breed:
The above is just a guide. If you have a chat with your vet, theyll be able to give you a better breakdown of how much exercise your dog needs according to their age and current fitness levels.
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Cryptorchidism In Male Dogs
Most male dogs are born with two testicles that descend from their stomachs, through the inguinal canal, and into the dogs scrotal sacs. The testicles should be visible and dropped in a male puppy by two months of age, but this descent can sometimes take up to six months. When one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotal sacs, a male can have an increase in health risks, including testicular cancer and infertility.
This condition of the testicles failure to descend, known as cryptorchidism, occurs in around 1-3% of male dogs and is typically caused by an inherited trait. Dogs with cryptorchidism should have their neutering scheduled sooner than later to reduce the chances of complications, like the testicles getting twisted in the spermatic cord. Your vet may perform an ultrasound to determine the exact location of the testicle before surgery. Neutering dogs with cryptorchidism is essential to ensure they dont continue to pass down the trait to other puppies.;
Your German Shepherd Is Not Neutered
Testosterone makes your German Shepherd hyper, if you never knew. And the hormone levels will rise when the puppy is around six months.
Here are some of the signs that your Germans shepherd has high testosterone levels.
- Increased aggression
- And hyperactivity- is one of the point outs
As a point out, never neuter German shepherd puppies below six months.
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Encouraging Good Behavior Through Training
No one likes a hyper dog.
My sons biggest fear about dogs is them jumping on him. ;So when we were looking for puppies, we let him make the selection. ;Looking back though, our dog chose us.
She is not your typical German Shepherd. At 8 weeks old she didnt jump on people, but at times would use people as a walking board to stand on her hind legs. ;She seemed very calm Until we got home that is.
German Shepherds were bred to be workers.;As such, your dog needs a job to do.
Start training your GSD as soon as possible. ;Everyone in your home must be on board with the training regimen.
Remember: Your dog is a reflection of you. ;They will act as you teach them to act.
If your dog is jumping around, acting hyper and excited, you must stay calm and ignore the dog.;Interaction with your dog while excited will only cause more excitement in the dog. This will teach the dog that being hyper is okay, and that is not the message you want to send.
A few tips to train your dog to be calm:
- Reward your dog for good behavior. ;A belly rub and pat on the head when your dog is laying down reinforces that behavior.
- Teach your dog the basic commands of sit and stay. ;
- Set aside time to play. ;Make it part of a routine.
- Socialize your dog with other dogs and children through store and park visits.