How To Train A German Shepherd To Be A Guard Dog
German Shepherds will usually take to being a guard dog naturally. It’s important to train them to be obedient. Learn how here.Many dogs are natural watch dogs their bark is sufficient to alert their owner to something unusual, and the alarm they set up is a deterrent. In addition, dogs who will fight if their owner is genuinely attacked do not have to be made aggressive to do so. Training a dog specifically to be a guard dog is hazardous and potentially creates a liability for you. Misguided attempts to make a dog aggressive through abuse will only backfire because the dog will not be loyal to someone who treats them harshly, and if the dog wrongly bites someone you will be at fault. Never train dogs who are basically fearful or out of control. Such dogs may not respond appropriately in non-threatening situations.
A German shepherd dog should not be selected to receive training as a guard dog unless the dog is basically friendly, stable and clear-headed, and has been well-socialized.
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Walk your German shepherd dog on a leash around the perimeter of your property regularly to identify your territorial boundaries. Do not allow your dog to bark at people who are outside your property. Do not allow your dog to chase people under any circumstances.
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The Most Protective Dog Breeds
Its easy to get overwhelmed by watching the daily news. Carjacking, robbery, burglaries, and kidnappings seem to top the rotation of hourly news stories. Its no wonder that more people are turning to one of the best protection devices and bodyguards there is. Do you want something to keep you safe at night, during the day, when you travel, and when youre home? Then you, too, might want to purchase a dog for protection. If youre looking into the best protection dogs for your family, we suggest looking into a dog from one of the breeds below.
How German Shepherds Become Overprotective And How To Prevent It
German shepherds are natural guardians of their home and family. Bred to herd and guard their flock, these working dogs intelligent, brave, and confident. They are very active, high energy, and hyper aware of whats going on in their surroundings.
German shepherds are very loyal and form close bonds with their humans. They are happiest when hanging out with their people and love being a companion and the center of attention. They are also playful, affectionate, and loving.
Due to their strength, size, and personalities, German shepherds require training and socialization to thrive in their homes and be good citizens in their communities. Untrained shepherds that lack guidance can develop many behavior problems.
German shepherds are also highly adept of reading body language, being in tune with their owners emotions, and are intuitive. These traits make them amazing pets that are easy to train, a joy to be around, and awesome pet partners in life.
These same traits, coupled with lack of training, guidance, and leadership, have the potential to create dogs that are overly bold, insecure, fearful, or even aggressive. This is not normal behavior for a German shepherd and early intervention is the key to reversing it so the dog can develop into the happy companion it was born to be.
To prevent a dog from becoming over protective:
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Looking For Ddr German Shepherds
Long story short, DDR German shepherds are unique and unless they start getting repopulated all over the world, they will always be special.
Such quality breeding material is not easy to purchase. They are often directly bred by those in the police force, so most of the time they arent for sale.
There is also a chance that DDR German shepherds will be unaffordable to most.
But thats not to say you cant buy one. Its just that your best bet is to simply get a mixed breed with one parent being a DDR German shepherd.
German Shepherd Tops The Top 10 List Of Best Guard Dogs
Which dog breed makes the best guard dogs? According to Canine Journal, German Shepherds take the crown when it comes to keeping you and your family safe. These dogs are very intelligent and always alert to their surroundings, even when they appear not to be.
While we believe dogs are best for companionship and cuddles, having one that also helps you feel safe doesnt hurt! We know German Shepherds are the best, but which other dogs made it on the top 10 countdown for best guard dogs for families?
Some breeds are more alert, while others are better at taking down an enemy. It all depends on what you are looking for. As for German Shepherds, they do a little bit of both, which makes them perfect for working as K9 officers. Lets see which other dogs are on the countdown!
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Why Your German Shepherd Is So Protective Of You
Each of the different reasons why your German Shepherd does it will likely come with a number of clues.
Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be so protective of you and the signs to look for.
It thinks youre in danger
The reason why it is so protective of you could be that it thinks you are in danger. This would be more likely if it does it when you are talking to people that it has not met before, when someone else is on your property or if it does it when someone touches you.
In this case, it would help to train it to listen to your command, to train it using positive reinforcement training and to avoid negative reinforcement. Each of which will be discussed below.
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It was mistreated when younger
It could be the case that it was mistreated when it was a puppy and it has caused it to be untrusting of people. This would be more likely if it was adopted from a shelter. In this case, it would help to train your German Shepherd to positively associate other people or dogs with rewards.
Nature
German Shepherds are naturally a very protective breed and they are used in law enforcement for this reason. The reason why your German Shepherd is protective of you is likely to have some influence from its nature.
It has been rewarded
It didnt socialize much from an early age
How To Socialize A German Shepherd Puppy
For best results, puppies should be socialized and exposed to new things before 12 weeks of age.
This means showing and giving your dog positive experiences with as many things as you can. This should include:
- Unfamilar people
- Places youre likely and unlikely to visit regularly
- Busy streets
- Other dogs
- And more.
Its important that these experiences are positive, and that your puppy feels safe. Otherwise, a long-term fear and nervousness can build up.
And, remember you should never put your puppy on the ground outside before they are fully vaccinated.
So, youll most likely have to carry your GSD puppy when socializing them. If they are too heavy for you, you can invest in a dog sling.
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A Short History Of The German Shepherd
As the name of the breed suggests, the German Shepherd originates from Germany. The history of the breed dates back to the late 1800s. In the 1850s, German dog breeders were trying to standardize dog breeds to preserve the best traits that assisted their job of herding sheep. This was practiced within small communities of people in Germany where shepherds bred dogs.
German breeders wanted to have a dog that had the necessary skills for herding sheep such as intelligence, strength, speed, endurance, and a strong sense of smell. The breeders got results but the ability and the appearance of dogs differed from one community to another. As a result, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the purpose of creating native dog breeds but it was disbanded in just a few of years due to internal disagreements on the traits of the dogs the organization should promote. Nevertheless, Germanys efforts to create a dog breed of the nations own continued.
In 1899, Max von Stephanitz, an ex-member of the Phylax Society and a former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was shown a dog during one of his visits to a dog show named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog was agile, loyal, fast, intelligent, and appeared pleasing to the eye. The dog satisfied his beliefs of what a working dog should be, and he purchased him.
Final Thoughts On Ddr German Shepherds
DDR German shepherds are not your ordinary German shepherd. They are special, in more ways than one.
Theyve done their duty to their own nation, people just need to go back to where these dogs came from. They are strong, alert, and their immunity to health issues is top-notch. Other mixed breeds may have replaced them, but they will always be unique.
But sometimes, dogs need some time off from work. Theyre not bred only for police work. They can also serve as great family dogs. Hopefully, there will come a time when theyll finally be rewarded with what they deserve.
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German Shepherd Breed Characteristics
- German Shepherds stand around two feet tall. Males can reach 24 to 26 inches and females between 22 and 24 inches.
- A medium-to-large sized working dog, male German Shepherds weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females between 50 and 70 pounds.
- German Shepherds have a double coat. The outer coat is dense and can be straight or a little wavy, whilst the undercoat is thick but soft.
- German Shepherds are one of the most common police dogs used for everyday duties. The trainability and intelligence of the breed make it the ideal candidate for police work.
- German Shepherds are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, along with the Border Collie and Poodle.
- Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds are very loving and protective pets of their owners. However, they can display aggression if their aggressive tendencies arent kept in check.
Protection Dog Profile: Wasabi
Wasabi is a black and tan, female, German Shepherd with an all-around great personality. Raised in a family home, as are all our dogs, Wasabi is a happy companion and loyal friend. She is very playful, but she is also calm and easy to be around. When youre doing your thing, she is calmly waiting patiently without interrupting you. When its time to go, she is obedient and ready to do whatever you want her to do. Easy going describes her demeanor perfectly. However, when there is a threat, be it at home, in your car, or on a walk, Wasabi is there to protect you with her powerful stature and hard bites. She is not about to let anything happen to you. Having a highly trained personal protection dog from Integrity K9 Services brings a comfort into your life and a true friend as well. Our dogs are hand selected at an early age and trained to be everything that you need in a well behaved, protection dog. If Wasabi sounds like a good fit for your life, give us a call or send us an email to get more information.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Formula
Dog food chart for german shepherd. Why Raw food is the best diet for my German Shepherd In this guide we will take you through all you need to know about the best German Shepherd food. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula. Puppy weight German Shepherd Dog Femaleduring its growth.
The Complete Guide to German Shepherds. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount frequency and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. Ad Chez zooplus nous vous proposons un assortiment complet pour votre animal de compagnie.
You find this figure by multiplying his length by 85. An 80-pound German shepherd should eat 3 34 cups of kibble per day. More Top Rated German Shepherd Foods.
Offrez à votre chihuahua une alternative à la ration ménagère. Coming in 5lb 14lb and 28lb bags this mixture allows you to buy a smaller bag for your dog to try before buying a larger amount. Each contains minced meat bones and offal in the approximate ratio of 80 10 10 and simply goes into the pet food bowl.
Homemade Dog Food for German Shepherd Adults and Puppies Recipes. German Shepherd Feeding Chart. That way you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog.
Wondering about the best dog food for German Shepherds. Exclusive kibble shape designed specifically for a German Shepherds long strong muzzle to encourage chewing. Vegetables and fruits fresh fruits green leafy vegetables carrots cooked sweet potatoes.
Food Chart Dog Food Serving Serving Size Chart Dogs
There Are Quite A Few Best Protection Dogs
Dogs tend to be territorial by nature. As such, there are quite a few of the best guard dog breeds out there that will protect both your family and your home. The most accessible dog breed for this purpose is the German Shepherd. These dogs are loyal, smart, and easy-to-train. If you’ve never had a dog before and are looking for one for protection, you would be hard-pressed to find a better choice than a German Shepherd.
However, if you’re looking for the most power and a dog that has had centuries of protecting people within its lineage, then the Bullmastiff is probably the best option. These dogs are some of the best, if not the best, guard dogs that you can have.
Of course, all these dogs make excellent pets, so you should never think of them as mere guard dogs! Instead, they’ll become part of your family as they are protecting it!
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Why Is My German Shepherd So Protective Of Me
This post will show you a number of reasons why your German Shepherd is always so protective of you and what you can do about it.
So, why is my German Shepherd so protective of me? Possible reasons are that it did not socialize much as a puppy, the behavior has been inadvertently rewarded or that it is naturally protective of its territory.
There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your German Shepherd is so protective of you. Depending on the cause there are also a number of things that you can do about it.
Which Breed Is Your Favorite
The cost of a protection dog scares most people away, but they are loving, intelligent, and capable companions who will defend your children and your home. They will protect you at all costs and can be versatile enough to travel with you on vacation and business. With some extra training, you can even own one of the worlds elite executive protection dogs. Now that you know a little more about the most protective dog breeds, which one will you choose?
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Gsds Are Super Active
Therefore, so are you. Thinking of lounging on the couch? No way! German Shepherd owners know that wont happen until youve walked your dog, gone to the park, or provided some sort of exercise. This breed only thrives with enough regular exercise to burn off all that excess energy. If you dont give your GSD daily workouts, watch out. Your dog will get that energy out somehow, and most likely in ways you dont want. To be sure your German Shepherd is happy and a pleasure to live with, you will definitely get all the exercise you need too.
Why Trained German Shepherd Is A Good Option
Well, there are a lot of reasons why a trained German shepherd is a good option as a protection dog. One is that they are very much intelligent.
When it comes to intelligence, they rank in no. 3 position. They can understand and execute commands easily.
Besides, it is known by everyone that they are very strong. Compared to most of the dog breeds, they have the strength to protect you.
They can run up to 30mph and have a bite power of 238 fps. Also, they are large and muscular where they have a thick protective inner that helps them adjust to different conditions.
And lastly but most importantly, they are loyal and protective to their owners.
They will give their lives for you. Unlike many other breeds, this one is obedient and do not trust strangers easily.
As a result, not everyone can make them fool and harm you anyway. They are always enthusiastic to learn new things that you rarely find in other breeds.
So overall, for protection, there are not many breeds that can even compete with the German shepherd breed. They are strong, they are loyal, and they are intelligent. What else can you expect, right?
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Adapting To Social Routine
Since German Shepherds are capable of barking at friends that visit until they become more comfortable with guests, it is wise to socialize your GSD immediately upon arriving home for the very first time when they are a puppy.
If you happen to adopt an adult GSD, you should slowly introduce friends and relatives to your dog.
How to socialize your GSD puppy:
It is rare, but if you notice that your pup is experiencing extreme stress, anxiety, fear or anger in social situations seek help from a trained professional.
Licensed dog training specialists have the ability to focus on the behavior problems and offer a solution.
They will teach you how to correct your dogâs behavior by providing you with helpful tips and tools. Following the professional dog trainerâs advice is essential to your GSD pupâs behavior improving.
If you find that the training is not helping, visit the veterinarian for further assistance.