How Old Do German Shepherds Have To Be To Get Pregnant
Age plays a vital role in a german shepherd dogs breeding. A female German Shepherds fertility is at its peak when she is between 2 to 8 years old. At this age, female German shepherds will be at their maximum chances of pregnancy. However, after 8 years the female german shepherd can start getting weaker.
It is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. As your dog begins to age, it will become essential to accommodate their needs. Many older German Shepherds will have hip problems.
How Long Can Bulldogs Be Left Alone
Bulldogs should live inside and should never be left alone outside for longer periods of time.
If you live in an appartment, your dog will need to have regular exercise.
Bulldogs can usually not restrain themselves for very long periods of time
Can poodles be left alone? Poodles are able to be left alone for the amount of time they can go without needing to go to the bathroom. The general rule of thumb is 1 hour per month of age. So, 2 months would be 2 hours, 3 months for 3 hours. 1-year-old puppies can hold their needs for 8-9 hours.
Common Health Problems In German Shepherds
German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions.
German Shepherds are in a group of breeds classed as Category Three by The Kennel Club, which is the highest category of the health concerns due to their conformation. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips.
Some of the conditions German Shepherds may develop include:
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to.
Read Also: How To Draw A German Shepherd Sitting
Give Toys To Your German Shepherd
As long as the toy ischewable and safe to bite, you can give it to your dog to play with. Toys are away to keep your German Shepherds mentally stimulated and entertained, whichwill provide a distraction from his mischief.
Just make sure to returnearly so you can be his fetching companion. German Shepherds are fast learners,and so do they like to please. Once he learns how to play fetch, this willsurely be your go-to game any day, any time.
Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
German Shepherds can be great family dogs if they are properly trained and socialized.
They are friendly and loving dogs and, above all, very loyal and protective of their family.
German Shepherds are very playful dogs. They enjoy childrens attention and, when properly socialized since they are puppies, are very patient dogs with children of all ages.
Although German Shepherds are very adaptable dogs, being very active dogs makes them an ideal breed for active households.
The German Shepherd dog needs a family that can offer him the care and physical activity that he needs to stay physically and mentally healthy.
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Some Of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in the everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, Ive tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But its products that I use on a daily basis myself, and have nothing but praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat properly, and finding the best food for your dog can be hard, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, Ive been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dogs specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, Im pretty sure Ive found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If youve ever owned a puppy, you know that they require a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and its something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, youre going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply cant beat this brush for everyday grooming.
Dealing With Separation Anxiety
There can be many reasons for separation-anxiety in GS but the most common reason is leaving it alone.
There are a few ways to deal with your dog and make it stay calm when you are not around.
Start with shorter absences
When you plan to deal with the separation anxiety and train your dog for your absence, start with shorter absences. In the beginning, leave the house for 30 minutes and return. You can start increasing the time of absence in a couple of days.
It will make your German Shepherd less anxious when you leave because for it you will return soon.
Leaving a used cloth
The most convenient method is to put a recently worn cloth behind when you leave home. Your German Shepherd will catch your scent from that cloth and it will think that you are present in the house. This will save it from feeling left alone.
Give a treat while leaving
Whenever you are about to leave the home, give a treat to your dog. This will keep your dog engaged with the treat and it will not feel left alone. This will let the dog associate your leaving with getting a treat.
Distract your dog
Start thinking of activities that can keep your German Shepherd so engaged that it does not feel your absence. Let your dog play with the toys, watch television, and watch out from the window. This will keep your dog busy and it will not feel lonely.
Crate or Cage training
Crate or cage training from an early stage can be very helpful in dealing with separation
Dog Sitter
Doggy Care Center
Walking the Dog
Also Check: When Will My German Shepherd Calm Down
German Shepherd Dogs Are Protective Of Their Loved Ones
They are known for being fearless and self-confident. GSDs will assertively stand their ground and are suited to be either watchdog or guardian, whichever the situation demands. They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner. But it also comes with a certain responsibility. You should be committed to spending time socializing and training your dog to ensure your companion feels comfortable around strangers and other dogs. If you do, you will benefit from all this dog has to offer.
Common German Shepherd Behavioral Problems And Personality Traits
Over the years working as a dog trainer, Ive probably worked with as many German shepherd dogs as any other breed.
Most often, they are an incredibly loyal breed, are devoted to their owners, and have really sweet and fun personalities. And so, to those of you who love the breed and wouldnt consider anything but a German shepherd in the future, I understand!
Yet, some people are terrified of them and feel they are dangerous dogs to own.
To those of you that are wary of German shepherds, I understand where you are coming from, too! First off, they are very large dogs and can come off very intimidating.
Second, their instinct to protect their family or property is strong and can lead untrained German shepherds to becoming very protective, aggressive, and scary dogs.
The keyword here is untrained, as any untrained dogregardless of breedcan have the same problems.
Over the last decade I really feel like Ive come to understand German shepherds and have personally fallen in love with this breed. Ive also realized that theyre so misunderstood due to poorly trained German shepherds often ending up in the news and how they are portrayed on TV and in the media.
For this reason, I wanted to write todays post in hopes that, if you are someone who fears this breed, are looking for help and direction with your dog, or you know someone who is wary of German shepherds, then this honest truth about this lovely breed might change your mind.
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Give Them Something To Look At:
You can do a couple of things to give them something to look at while you are away. First, you can open the shutters and blinds to the front or backyard so they can see what is going on with the neighbors or animals outside. Our backyard is full of birds, bunnies and squirrels which is right up your German Shepherds alley.
Second, you can turn on the TV while they are home alone to keep their minds active and focused. This is assuming that your dog likes to watch TV. Certain dogs may not care at all about watching television.
Put on something like Animal Planet and turn the volume up enough that they can hear the different animal sounds.
Put On His Favorite Tv Show For Him To Watch
Do you notice how yourdog likes to watch whenever you are watching TV? This is the best time toestablish what he likes. According to dog behaviorist Cesar Milan, dogslike to watch since this is how they learn.
Whether its a game onTV, dog shows, or movies, whatever you watch alongside your dog that gets youexcited, hes most likely inclined to enjoy it. So put on his favorite tvchannel and let him enjoy it.
Read Also: My German Shepherd Puppy Bites Too Much
Where To Leave German Shepherd Alone
If you have some urgent piece of work then no doubt you will have to leave your dog alone unwillingly. But what will be the right place to keep them? whether to keep them outside or inside?
Lets discuss it in detail with advantages and disadvantages.
German Shepherds become familiar with the places where they live. If you are keeping them in a crate then they become habituated to living inside.
Keeping them inside no doubt ensures safety but what about their mental health? They may become frustrated if stay inside for a long time and there is no one to entertain them.
However, there are some of the advantages and disadvantages that you should know.
German Shepherds Are Known As A Mouthy Breed
They tend to use their mouths as an appendage thanks to their herding heritage. Its even right there in their name, ShepHERD. This mouthing behavior is natural, so expect your GSD to mouth you and chew anything that will fit inside their mouth. However, that doesnt mean you should allow it. What might be cute in your small puppy will get more powerful as your dog grows up. Training your dog not to bite your hand or the chew on the furniture is essential with this breed. Teach your German Shepherd to channel those instincts safely and appropriately.
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Where Should A German Shepherd Sleep
We highly recommend crate training your German Shepherd at a young age. While many people purchase these as protection animals, that doesnt mean that you should let them roam your house as puppies.
Just like any other dog, German Shepherd puppies can be quite destructive. They dont always hold their bladders well and maybe teething two factors that can lead to a destroyed house.
You should always crate train your puppy. Remember, your puppy should love their crate. Its their place to calm down and get away from stressful situations. They should also spend the night in it since you will be unable to supervise them while asleep.
If your German Shepherd is crate trained correctly, they will likely choose to sleep in their crate even after you stop closing the door. Their crate should be their safe space. And who wouldnt want to sleep in their safe space?
Sleeping in their crate isnt always necessary, though. Even with proper crate training, some dogs may pick another spot around the house to sleep infor instance, many sleep near the front door or under windows. If your dog is allowed on the furniture, they may choose the furniture as well.
What To Do If A German Shepherd Is Left Alone
I am also the owner of a German Shepherd and remain unhappy when I have to leave my dog alone. You may also feel bad when you leave your dog alone. You want someone to look after your dog in your absence. If you want to be tension free then you can ask some of your family memeber to accompany them in your absence.
Look at some of the methods that you can use while not present at your home.
Also Check: German Shepard Teething
How To Leave Your Dog Inside When Youre Away
If youre unable to allow your dog to go outside when youre at work or in other places, you can still include them in a particular area of your home. Before you make any kind of decisions, remember that your German Shepherd will undoubtedly need an adequate amount of space.
Leave them in a dog crate
German Shepherds need a crate thats no smaller sized than 48 inches. This plus size will undoubtedly suffice for them to walk around as well as extend conveniently. It would help if you did not buy too little of a crate otherwise, they might establish joint and muscle problems from being constrained.
And also, you need an excellent crate pad to safeguard their joints, such as an orthopedic one. Please have a look at my suggested equipment web page to see my favorite crate and also place.
My German Shepherd enjoyed her chest and also would certainly frequently most likely to her very own unique area to either remain or chew her preferred toys.
Gate off an area inside your house
You can make use of dog entrances to fence off an area to maintain them contained. Dog gateways enable you to section off different off-limit areas of your home, leaving you to determine how much room your young puppy can have to wander around.
If you do not, such as the suggestion of going them in a crate, its a beautiful alternate option. There are lots to select from, such as these on Amazon to suit your decoration.
Take into consideration letting them wander totally free throughout your home.
If You Have A Good Budget Then Hire A Dog Walker
Dog walkers are quite expensive to hire. But if your financial situation is Good You can consider to hire one.
Dog walkers are trained to keep the Dogs busy. Most owners who are busy with their work and do not have enough time for Their Dogs they hire Dog walkers for their Dogs daily care, walk and exercise.
Ask him to take your Dog for a walk in the park and Let him enjoy the weather.
Walking and exercising is very important for A German Shepherd because this allows the dog to release the energy and relax.
Read Also: Who Would Win In A Fight German Shepherd Or Pitbull
Make Sure They Are Empty Before Leaving
First, and most obviously, take your dog potty immediately before leaving. Also, try and make sure your pup pees and poops before your leave the house, not just one or the other.
Leave enough time before having to leave to walk your dog around a little so they can do both if your German Shepherd takes a little longer to do their business.
Crate Training Your German Shepherd
If you have to leave for more than eight hours, and there are no other people available to give your dog attention, youll have to learn to crate train your German Shepherd. Ideally, you should train your German Shepherd to use a kennel while it is still a puppy. If your dog is older, however, crate training is still possible.
The first step in proper crate training is to make your dogs kennel feel safe and comfortable. A dogs kennel should never feel like a punishment. Make sure your dogs kennel is quite roomy, as well. The standard dimensions of a kennel for a German Shepherd are 42 x 28 x 31.
You might even consider getting an outdoor kennel for your dog. On days when the weather is clear and the temperature is moderate, your dog would greatly benefit from a large, outdoor kennel with plenty of space to play. This ensures that your dog has a safe and fun environment even while youre gone.
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How Long Can You Leave German Shepherds Alone By Age
Leaving a newborn German Shepherd puppy alone for too long is not only dangerous but immoral and cruel. If youre worried about being away for several hours per day, you should definitely find someone who can come and watch them. Their natural curiosity can lead to all sorts of hazardous problems, especially if their mother isnt around to protect them.
On the other hand, its not so bad with older well trained and socialized German Shepherds . Senior GSDs shouldnt be left alone for too long as they may need more toilet breaks or if they suddenly become sick as serious problems can develop very quickly without the help of anyone around.
Lets review how long you can leave German Shepherds alone during their different life stages.