How Can I Teach My Kids To Be Gentle With The Dog
If your kids are old enough to understand boundaries with the dog, then its important to start showing them the right way to pet them. Weve all seen the pictures and videos on the internet of babies and small children lying on top of the dog, riding the dog, or pulling their ears or tails. The general opinion is, Wow, what a good dog! This is wrong on many levels.
The dog may be good in that hes not openly hostile to this behavior, but that doesnt mean he should endure it. Consider if your child was exhibiting this behavior to another child at the park. Pulling their hair, lying on top of them, slapping them, or taunting them. Youd put a stop to that immediately. With the dog, he cant tell you he doesnt like this. Sometimes there are signs that maybe the dog would prefer this to not be happening.
Pay attention to very wide eyes, ears that are back and flat to the head, and an attempt to leave the situation. If these signs are shown and ignored, the next way the dog will attempt to stop this from happening is to growl. This will eventually lead to a bite. People are very quick to cart their aggressive dogs off to the shelter because they growled at the child, but what was the child doing before the growl? A dog is not a creature that has to endure anything your child wants to do to him. Hes a part of the family, and as such, he should be treated like one.
German Shepherd Vs Pug Good With Comparison
| Energy Level | German Shepherds are high energy dogs. | Pugs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Need | German Shepherds need quite a lot of exercise. | Pugs exercise need is minimal. |
| Sleeping Need | German Shepherds don’t need too much sleep. | Pugs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they’re not considered as a lazy breed. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day. |
| Weight Gain Potential | High: The Pug breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
| Stinkiness | The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | HighThe Pug has a high chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency |
A German Shepherd As A Member Of The Family
German Shepherds want to be part of your family and wont be happy unless they feel that they are. They will see your family as part of their pack. If they are not included as a part of the family, it is very likely they will develop mental insecurities which you dont want to happen.
It is essential that you include your dog in your life by doing things such as playing with it, giving it daily exercise, not leaving it alone for extended periods, regular training, and allowing it to feel part of the family just like everyone else.
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Are There Different Types Of German Shepherds
Officially there’s only the one breed. But I explained in the Temperament section that there are different lines of German Shepherds with different temperaments. Those lines can also LOOK very different from each other.
Show lines
Those of us who admired the strong, noble look of German Shepherds from decades ago are saddened at what has been done to the appearance of modern show dogs.
If you go to a German Shepherd specialty show in the United States or Canada, you’ll see tall narrow bodies, long narrow heads, and such excessive curvature of the rear legs that the dog’s back slopes downward from shoulders to tail. You could roll a ball down that back.
In my opinion, these are misshapen caricatures of a German Shepherd. To make matters worse, show lines produce more than their share of spooky and low-intelligence dogs, which is what happens when you over-focus on appearance rather than temperament and trainability.
In contrast, the West German show line has a more normal shape. Best of all, German Shepherds in West Germany cannot win show ring ribbons or be bred without passing a temperament/trainability test.
There are many West German bloodlines in the United States. So if you’re interested, you can look for show breeders who emphasize West German lines instead of American/Canadian.
Just be aware that these dogs aren’t couch potatoes: they do have plenty of energy and some working drives that will need to be exercised.
Working/protection lines
Pet lines?
Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
When you train and socialize your German Shepherd, you will be rewarded with a loving dog that is fiercely protective of his family and bonded strongly to his owners. This dog is extremely intelligent and easy to train. The energy level of a GSD can be matched by children. Ideally, they can happily wear each other out.
This dog needs an adequate amount of exercise each day to be healthy and content, so playing with kids is an efficient way to achieve this goal. With love and respect, the German Shepherd will be a loyal, entertaining, and wonderful friend to every member of the household.
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Do German Shepherds Love Being Outdoors
German shepherds are naturally strong, athletic dogs. They love being outdoors and exercising. If your family loves the outdoors as well then German Shepherds are going to be a nice fit for you.
If you go on regular walks along the beach or through the woods then your German Shepherd is going to be right at home.
However, this doesnt mean theyre not going to enjoy being indoors either. Once you make sure that theyre getting enough exercise throughout the day, then theyre going to be happy spending time indoors with you as well.
Myth #4 Will German Shepherd Dogs Become Aggressive
Like the first few myths, this one has a lot to do with popular culture, poorly trained dogs, and a misunderstanding of German Shepherds.
German Shepherds have been frequently used for jobs that require them to be aggressive, and perhaps this leads to a judgement that they can or will become aggressive.
We see police dogs, military dogs and guard dogs on television and movies, and they are more often than not, German Shepherds.
German Shepherds can be trained to strong, protective dogs, but does that mean they are inherently aggressive?
Fact: This is not necessarily true. Yes, German Shepherds can be aggressive,but they arent any more aggressive than some other breeds of dogs. In reality,a GSD can be very relaxed and calm.
As is the case with other aggressive dogs, the dog is not the driving factor for behavior. Training is key with German Shepherds, in managing aggressive behavior.
And like with any other breed of dog, a GSD that feels threatened, no matter how sweet they normally are, can become aggressive.
German Shepherds have a tendency to do well in jobs that require them to become aggressive at a moments notice, but that doesnt mean that your family dog will all of a sudden flip out and be mean.
Training and socialization are key to keeping everyone calm and happy in your home.
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German Shepherd Or Labrador Retriever Choosing The Right Breed For You
At first glance, German Shepherds and Labradors might appear to be on mostly opposite ends of the spectrum, with their only shared trait being their height. However, they do share some other similarities.
Both are prone to hip dysplasia and other health conditions that are common in large dog breeds. But they are both also known to be extremely intelligent. Each dog has an incredible work ethic and forms a strong bond with their owner. But taking a closer look at GSDs and Labs, its obvious that their temperaments and suitability as family pets can differ, sometimes drastically, depending on the dog.
German Shepherds are known for their tendency toward guarding and sometimes misplaced aggression. Labs on the other hand are typically happy family dogs that are quite accepting of strangers. They can get a little excitable sometimes and can be almost too keen to greet anyone they meet. There is therefore a difference in the homes which should German Shepherd vs Labrador dogs.
A German Shepherd may be happier in your single-dog, all-adult household, and a Labrador might be the better option if youre looking for a family-friendly pet only. But is this always the case?
State Of The Art Facility
We raise and breed top quality, AKC registered puppies. Our facility is designed to accommodate our wonderful family of sires and dams, as well as our gorgeous litters of german shepherd puppies. We sell and ship in the United States and worldwide. We are passionate promoters of this noble breed and are happy to pass on our knowledge and experience to anyone who is interested in german shepherd puppies.
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Reasons Why German Shepherd Is A Good Family Dog
German Shepherd or GSD serve as an ideal family dog. They are considered as good house dogs because of their calm nature and caring temperament. Here are top 10 reasons why you should choose GSD as your family dog:
1- German Shepherd is an intelligent dog breed The largest percentage of police dogs all over the world are GSDs. They are an intelligent dog breed and can easily learn what you make them do.
2- German Shepherd respect their owner and protect them They are very caring and possess a protective attitude towards their owners. If given proper training, they will love, care and respect their owners and also protect them from any foreign intruders.
3- German Shepherd is high on energy levels The energy levels of German Shepherd is high so they dont get tired so soon. Your children can play with the dog as much as they can.
4- German Shpeherd is loyal and can learn and do almost anything They are a very loyal dog breed and know how to protect and serve the family they are a part of. They can be taught to learn to do almost anything.
5- German Shepherd is one of the top guard dog breeds Having served as a police dog for decades, they know how to keep their family safe. They are one of the best guard dog breeds that are known to save their family from enemies.
Great! Now, we assume that you are convinced about adopting a GSD and make it a part of your family.
German Shepherd Vs Pug Comparison Which Dog Is Better Alsatian Or Mops
“Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Pug”
| Comparison Criteria |
|---|
| Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog , Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund | Mops, Carlin, Chinese Pug, Dutch Bulldog, Dutch Mastiff, Mini Mastiff | |
| Breed Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Toy breed. | |
| FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Small Molossian type Dogs section. |
| Breed Recognition | Dog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.German Shepherd Dog Club Of America | American Canine RegistryDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc. |
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Maintaining A German Shepherds Energetic Needs
GSDs require a lot of stimulation and exercise as both puppies and adults. On average, German Shepherds need about 90 minutes of exercise each day. This, of course, depends on each individual dogs age, health, and fitness level.
Whether you want to set aside an hour and a half each day to let your kids and GSD play or break up the time with walks, runs, and playtime is up to you.
Find a schedule that works well for you and your family and your dog will be more than happy!
A Puppy Or Adult For A Family
GSD puppies are a lot of work! Young families with pre-school age kids areadvised to delay getting a puppy until the youngest child is at least fiveyears old.
Some families with young children choose a puppy thinking they are safer andeasier to train than older, adult Shepherds. But this isnt always necessarilytrue.
Puppies are fragile. They require more time and care and are prone toplay-related scratching, jumping, and biting.
They arent appropriate for homes with young children. Especially homeswhere the parents are busy and cant provide the training and basic needs ofsuch an active breed.
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The German Shepherd With Kids That Arent In The Family
German Shepherds who are properly socialized tend to bond quickly with their family, and this includes children.
In fact, many German Shepherds will treat your children with as much love and care as they would their own puppies.
But how do they feel about your childrens friends and kids who live in the neighborhood?
Like other breeds who work as guard dogs, their protective instincts can make them wary of strangers.
What To Do If You Find A Lost German Shepherd
If you find a German Shepherd Dog or any other pet and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:2. Report the missing pet on the .3. Phone the Local Council to collect the lost animal.4. Take the animal to the local Animal Pound near to your area.5. Take the pet to the local Vet who can scan the animalâs microchip and call the registered pet owner.
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The Training Of A German Shepherd
For many people, the hallmark of the German shepherd breed is just how trainable they are. Is there anything this dog cant do?
German shepherds were the first breed to be used by police K9 units and now serve in many other life-saving services. German shepherds as a breed hold the all-time record for ACE , with 13 awards.
If you are considering getting a GSD to spend time around your family and kids, its always advisable to get a young dog. However, be warned that a German shepherd does not fully grow out of the puppy stage until about three years old. That boundless energy and playfulness can often be overwhelming for toddlers.
Older kids can assist in the training of your German shepherd and even be trained themselves to handle a dog properly.
As with any kind of dog, its important to quickly establish your role as the leader of the pack or master. German shepherds have quick minds and are easy to train, making the training both challenging and fun.
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German Shepherd Exercise Needs
German Shepherds desire and need a lot of daily exercise to be physically and mentally healthy. If they do not get enough exercise every day, it can make them behave abnormally and this will lead to them not being a good pet.
As a general rule, it is recommended that they get at least an hour of exercise per day, especially as adults.
German Shepherds Love Being Outside and Exercising!
If you are not sure that you would be able to give your German Shepherd an hour of exercise per day, it would most likely be better to go for a different dog breed that does not require as much daily exercise as they do.
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Is A German Shepherd Child
Yes, a German Shepherd is child-friendly and enjoys children when properly socialized and trained. They are a highly intelligent breed that is specially selected throughout history for their loyal, watchful temperament with their families.
A properly trained GSD is a good addition to a home with children when thechildren are taught to respect the dog and the dog is taught to respect thechildren.
They bond quickly with kids in the home, tend to protect their families, but may become overly protective of family members if not properly socialized and trained.
Getting To Know The German Shepherd
A German Shepherd can make a fabulous addition to the family, but there are certain precautions to consider first. For one thing, with this breed, it appears best to get a young pup that can grow up with the children, and early socialization and training are paramount. In addition to these important points, its always a good idea to get to know the basic information about any breed that you plan to add to your family dynamic. For example, if you want a small dog, a German Shepherd isnt the best choice, no matter how adorable and small he is as a puppy.
Here are some good-to-know facts about the noble and smart German Shepherd:
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Do German Shepherds Get Aggressive With Age
Many dogs do not come into their full personality until they end puberty and develop aggression at this age. However, German Shepherds commonly receive training early and develop aggression concurrently. The ages between six months and a year can be almost as critical for a GSDs socialization as the early puppy weeks.