Top 10 Reasons Why You Would Want A German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a relatively new dog breed with origins that can be traced back to 1899. Although it is a new breed, German Shepherds are now one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. In the United states, German shepherds ranks as the second most popular dog breeds of 2016. In fact, German Shepherds have many talents and desirable traits which make them the best dogs that every household should own.
Dont Expect Too Much Too Soon
Its important to remember that at a younger age your German Shepherd will naturally have more curiosity and get into mischief since you havent trained them.
Despite their ability to make a mess of things in record time, its important to train them from the moment they come home with you using reward-based, positive training.
The German Shepherd Beagle Mix
Introducing Beagle genes into the German Shepherd breed results in a smaller dog thats an excellent companion. They may not be very affectionate but they are wonderful with young children as well as other dogs.
In fact, they prefer the company of other pets to play with. The Beagle German Shepherd mix is also an incredible scenting dog that can easily become fixated on a compelling odor. This poses a challenge for training.
Nevertheless, these crossbreeds are delightful companions as they are adaptable, easygoing, and generally happy dogs.
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The German Shepherd Jack Russell Mix
Crossing a Jack Russell Terrier with a German Shepherd results in a smaller dog yet with much more energy to burn. These crosses are bold dogs that are often self-willed. So, they need firm leadership and socialization at an early age.
They also tend to have a high prey drive, which makes supervision necessary around small animals and very young children. With proper handling, however, a Jack Russell German Shepherd mix can be loving, playful, and sweet.
Hill Running With Your German Shepherd
Begin by exploring hill running only 2 times a week with plenty of rest in between hill runs to recover. Only use gently sloping hills and check the hills arent slippery with water, snow, ice, or pebbles and rocks.
You can gradually increase their routine to 3 to 4 times a week with longer sprints to keep their hearts in tip-top shape.
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Properly Train Your Puppy
Training enables your puppy to obey your commands. While you can train a German Shepherd to follow complex commands, only the basics are necessary.
Commands like sit or calling your puppy to come to you are essential to teach from an early age preferably the day that you bring your puppy home.
Make sure to always train your puppy in an area where there are few distractions, such as in your home or yard, and then progress to more distracting environments.;
This slow acclimation will also help to properly socialize your German Shepherd, which is essential for your puppy to grow in to a well-adjusted adult.
When giving commands to your puppy, be sure to use an authoritative voice and issue them in a slow-low pitched voice.
High-pitched commands which are spoken rapidly will only serve to over-excite your puppy.
Below is a YouTube video showing you some simple and effective ways to train your German Shepherd puppy:
When Is It Appropriate To Feed Your German Shepherd Rice
Whilst you can feed your German Shepherd rice every day as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Perhaps the most appropriate time to feed your dog rice is when they are suffering from digestion or stomach issues.
If your German Shepherd is suffering from diarrhoea, the best thing you can do for them is to feed them small portions of white rice and chicken.
This will be easier for your dog to digest and quicken its healing process. You must not add any spices to the rice. It must always be just a bowl of simple plain rice.
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Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds
German shepherds are the standout model dog in your neighborhood.
And youve probably seen them around. Theyre the second most popular dog in the US , only to be outdone by the Labrador Retriever.
Bn ang xem: 11 Dogs That Look Like German Shepherds | PlayBarkRun
Theyre easily recognizable for their beautiful coat colors of black, tan, gold, and deep red. However, German shepherds colors and patterns come in a much wider variety. Everything from stunning solid black, to pure snow white, and everything in between.
So when we look for other dogs that resemble this mighty breed we can cast a wider net.
What were looking for is some of the trademark physical features; the pointed and alert ears, the long powerful stature, their long snout, and deep brown eyes.
Training A High Energy Puppy
Carrie K said:He rarely naps, loses interest in a chew within 15 minutes and then finds trouble. He becomes a cranky, overwound puppy that cannot settle. Our trainer discourages use of the crate for “settle down time” or timeout, but we feel that the pup needs some way to settle down and he’s not ready to do so through training.
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We are beginning to wonder our pup is not responding to the purely positive training methods. In the past, we were willing to handle counter surfing, chasing our cats, jumping/chewing on furniture/people, and general misbehavior with corrections. We used leash correction, shaker cans, squirt bottles, etc. and our dogs learned quickly. Now, we are encouraged to ignore misbehavior and wait until he makes the correct choice. It doesn’t feel like the approach works for a big, active, young GSD.
The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.
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Enroll Him In A Canine Club
There are many dog clubs that organize regular dog sports events, including competitions and tournaments. Your German Shepherd may enjoy taking part in such events, which will be physically vigorous and mentally stimulating for him.
This way, your pet will get to see more of their world and be feeling more grounded and better about it. So, enrolling your dog in a canine club is undoubtedly one of the cutest German Shepherd exercise ideas.
Longevity And Health For A Dalmatian And Australian Shepherd Mix:
The lifespan of a dog can depend on many different factors, not just the breed. However, the breed is a pretty good indicator of the average lifespan to expect from a dog, and in the case of a crossbreed, you should look at the average longevity of both parent breeds.;
Dalmatians, on average, live up to between 10 and 14 years. Australian Shepherds, on the other hand, usually live up to between 13 and 15 years. Combined, its a pretty good average for longevity, and the crossbreed will likely live around 13 years or so.;
Factors such as the quality of life and the health of your dog will have a big effect on the exact lifespan and longevity!;
As for health, both Dalmatians and Australian Shepherds are prone to suffering from deafness. This is something usually associated with white fur in dogs, so it is said that you should avoid dogs with white ears, as they are more likely to have hearing problems.
Nevertheless, you should always inquire as to the health of the parents when you contact the breeder for your puppy.;
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German Shepherds Are Smart
Different dog breeds have varying levels of intelligence. German Shepherds are smart dogs. They can figure out your routine fast and are sensitive to changes in human moods. Besides, it is easy to train them compared to Chow Chows.
Experienced dog trainers recommend creating an effective training plan before you adopt a German Shepherd. Also, stick to the plan to avoid confusing your dog. German Shepherds like pleasing their owners. They use their intelligence to invent fun activities. Exercise your dog frequently to keep them fit and active.
How Much Exercise Does An Older German Shepherd Need
As a dog gets older they become less active and have lower energy levels. However, it is still important that they remain reasonably active to keep their joints and muscles mobile and to manage their weight. Read ;Dog exercise for a senior dog to learn more.
Many dogs develop arthritis as they age. Exercise for them becomes a balancing act. It is important to keep their joints mobile and manage weight, but too much can make them sore. Read How to exercise an arthritic dog to learn more.
German Shepherds are also a breed that is prone to hip dysplasia. Read Exercise for a dog with hip dysplasia to learn more.
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A Lack Of Physical And Mental Stimulation
As we have seen from the above, the key to controlling a hyperactive German Shepherd is routine this can have a huge calming effect. Their routine should involve plenty of exercise that not only challenges their body and keeps them from getting overweight, but stimulates their mind too.
German Shepherds should have 90 minutes of exercise each day as well as more intense cardio exercises 1 to 2 times a week . If your walks are shorter or youre skipping out on the cardio, it is likely that your German Shepherd isnt expelling as much energy as it needs to, which then manifests in more hyperactive behaviour.
The same can be said, in turn, for a lack of mental stimulation. German Shepherds, as hunting hounds, are incredibly intelligent creatures. Subsequently, if they arent intellectually challenged, they will get hyper and restless and wont calm down easily.
There are many easy ways to mentally stimulate your dog, such as teaching them tricks and commands or providing them with interactive toys where they have to work for their treats.
This should be done regularly, and with the right combination of physical and mental exercise, you will most likely see an improvement in your German Shepherds behaviour and temperament.
They just need to be challenged in order to calm down.
Is Walking Enough Exercise For A German Shepherd
No, walks alone are not sufficient. Walks can be enough exercise for a very young puppy but not for an adolescent or an adult German Shepherd unless you are power walking!
And you will still need to walk for several miles to get enough exercise.;
A walk is a suitable method of mental stimulation because it allows for exploration. Letting them stop and sniff around will help to enrich their senses and cognitive capabilities.
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How To Calm A Hyper German Shepard
As much as you love your German Shepherd, you may not be particularly fond of the excessive and occasionally destructive energy it unleashes at inappropriate times. Though different breeds exhibit different levels of hyperactivity, all dogs need regular exercise, and game-play that requires a certain level of concentration and focus. Keep in mind that your German shepherd will most likely not respond immediately to attempts to calm it down. “Calm” is a learned behavior that’ll require daily interaction and ongoing training.
Theyre Ideal For Experienced Dog Owners
Because German Shepherds need so much training and consistency, they require an owner who has a level of experience that matches their needs. First-time dog owners often dont realize that their new K9 family member requires much more attention than they bargained for.
Seasoned dog owners, however, should have the knowledge base and experience to train a German Shepherd and incorporate it into the family as a productive and valued member.
Youre set on a German Shepherd as your first dog, be sure to read up on each of the items mentioned in this article.
Set your dog up for success by enrolling them in obedience school and training courses right away. Learn from the instructor how you can continue their education at home, so they continue to be stimulated.
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The Root Of The Behavior
When Legend ‘s excessive energy begins to annoy you, realize this trait is part of his nature. It all goes back to history. In 1891, there was a German organization called the Phylax society whose mission was to breed dogs for appearances and work. This organization disbanded only after three years but ended up encouraging private dog breeding. Max Von Stephanitz discovered one of these new bred dogs at a dog show named Hektor Linksrhein. He was so impressed with the intelligence, beauty, and strength of the creature that he bought him and renamed him Horand. Von Stephanitz then bred Horand with other dogs with similar traits, such as agility and athleticism with an end goal of creating the perfect working dog. This led to the German Shepherd breed that we have today. This history reminds us that German Shepherds were bred to have energy because they were expected to work in the fields, not lay in on our lush couches.
Your German Shepherd’s hyperactivity stems from the fact this breed is a herding dog, and his ancestors before him ran with his packs to control other animals. This trait affects the way German Shepherds interact with humans because they want to be the pack leader, which now means leading you. This German Shepherd personality trait sometimes leads to owners thinking that their dog is excessively hyper when they are just more eager to outdo humans than some other breeds.
Theyre Acting Out For Attention
German Shepherds need plenty of positive attention from their owners.
But if you are too busy for your dog theyll begin to act out to get your attention, even if that means destroying everything in your home.
This breed is known for attaching to one person and should their person not give them the attention they want or deserve they will certainly let them know by ruining their furniture, clothing, or electronics with destructive chewing.
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When Do German Shepherds Calm Down
If you have a young German Shepherd, Im sure youve thought when do German Shepherds calm down?; I know that was something I thought all the time when Allie was a young pup.;
Unfortunately, every German Shepherd is different so there is no exact answer that will work for every GSD but this article can give you a guide.
Other Solutions And Considerations
Since German Shepherds are known for being hyper, they need more exercise than some other breeds. Make sure you are aware of this when choosing the breed of your new furry friend. If you have a German Shepherd, make sure that you exercise him often. In addition to one or two walks a day, play fetch with Legend, tug-of-war, and even let him join in the family soccer game. In addition to exercise, engage in training with your German Shepherd every day. If all you have time for are simple commands, this is okay, the mental stimulation of even basic commands daily will drain some energy out of your hyper pup.
Another way to calm your ecstatic Legend is aromatherapy. Use aromatherapy to calm Legend down before any guests come over for dinner. Use Lavender and Chamomile to not only make your house smell appropriate for company but also let these fragrances mellow Legend out. Although German Shepherds are a breed associated with hyperactivity, as an owner, you can still take action to make sure it does not become a problem.
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Do German Shepherds Get Along With Other Dogs
To go into greater depth, it does vary from breed to breed, animal to animal, and dog to dog. Much like any person, theres no guarantee that a German Shepherd will get along with others.
Now, first things first, lets talk a bit about what a German Shepherd is. A German Shepherd is a breed made towell, Shepherd sheep. Theyre hyperactive, fast, and more than willing to play. So, if you like to go outside, or are pretty energetic, then this is a good breed for you.
But, keep in mind, a German Shepherds temperament does depend on the line it comes from. I.E: if the line has a history of angry pups, then it stands to reason that the next one will likely have anger issues.
If you want a nice, easier-going German Shepherd, then it might not be a bad idea to try to get a longhaired breed, or a solid white one.;
Now, onto getting along with other dogs. German Shepherds do, generally, get along with other dogs or animals so long as they grow up with them, or spend a great deal of time with them.
It is recorded that some German Shepherds do tend to be aggressive to dogs of the same gender.
I.E: Boys will roughhouse.
That said, it is possible that so long as there isnt another dominant dog, then its likely that they will get along. That said, try to be aware of the German Shepherds line and general temperament. Some dogs might get along better with others.
But if that does happen, it does fall to the owner to take responsibility for their dog. Training might be necessary.
German Shepherds Are Obedient And Easy To Train
German Shepherds have high intelligence, thus they can be trained for various purposes. German Shepherds are obedient, making them easier to train compared to other dog breeds. Not only do German Shepherd perform well in task training, obedience training wouldn’t be any problem for them as well. They will listen and obey to your commands.
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