Tips For The Cold Weather
While a German Shepherd may be able to tolerate the cold reasonably well, probably more than we humans are, there are still some things to consider and to keep in mind.
Listed are some tips for when you let your dog outside in the cold for any period of time.
- Make sure there is protection from the wind- Windchill can make tolerable cold temperatures something bitter and miserable. If your dog is staying outside in the cold for any period of time, make sure they have a house or structure out there with a wall and windbreak so that they can get some relief. Some people buy heated dog houses for their pets stay outside.
- Watch for chemicals and salt- In the winter, chemicals like antifreeze can malt and get loose, which is dangerous for dogs. The salt that can be used on roads and sidewalks can potentially hurt your dogs paws as well, so its good to make sure your dog is somewhere where it wont risk getting hurt by these things.
- Keep them on a leash if not in an enclosed space- If there is a fence, then your dog will probably be okay without a tether. If youre going on a walk or run, keep them on a leash. The snow and ice can make your dog lose your scent and it can end up getting lost, especially if there is a snowstorm. Its better to be safe than sorry, so keep your dog close in the cold!
More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
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Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep himand his furin tip-top shape. On the other hand, indoor dogs may get less exercise in the cold months, and will need fewer calories to avoid weight gain.
When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Though we believe your dog should be inside and part of your family, if he does live outdoors or spend long periods of time there, he needs a dry, elevated doghouse with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out. .
Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
Delilah enjoys a soft blanket and warm fire in her foster home.
Your Dogs Natural Behavioral Adaptation
Just like a human, when moving from a warmer place to a colder one, it may take some time for your GSD to get used to the colder weather.
All dogs also have ways to retain heat. For one, their bushy tail can be used to cover the face and keep it warm while sleeping. Also, as a German Shepherd curls up, he retains heat better while sleeping. Raising the coat hairs also helps to trap heat and keep the body warm.
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Is It Cruel To Keep A Dog Outside
If you are really interested in doing what your dog prefers, do not force all dogs to live inside all of the time, and do not force a dog with a thin coat to spend his life at the end of a chain or rope. Both things are just as cruel as locking them in a crate at your convenience. It is okay to leave dogs outside.
German Shepherd Sleep Problems
A GSDs state of mind is also affected by the quality of sleep they get. Some sleep problems may appear harmless and cute but others are quite alarming and needing immediate medical attention.
Sleep is one of the basic needs of GSDs that can make a huge impact on their general health. The quality of sleep that they have usually affects their behaviour.
Sleep-deprived GSDs usually become irritable, aggressive and are more prone to illnesses. Making them feel safe and comfortable will encourage them to have the right amount of sleep. However, too much of a good thing can be dangerous.
GSDs who sleep too much, may need medical attention. Owners might find it cute to observe their sleeping GSDs, but this may help them prevent the onset of serious health issues.
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Can German Shepherds Live Outside In Summer
German Shepherds shouldnt live outside if it is above 85ºF. Since German Shepherds have a double coat, they do better in cooler temperatures than warmer temperatures.
Heat is dangerous at certain levels for German Shepherds or any dog for that matter because dogs only have sweat glands in the ears and paws to help regulate their temperature. Accordingly, they are more easily susceptible to overheating.
Can German Shepherds Stay Out In The Cold
German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldnt be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while. German Shepherds are a great breed of dog to have if you live in a place where it is cold. They are able to do well in it for a few reasons.
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German Shepherds Are Made For Cold Weather
If you work long hours, study or are sometimes just not home for long stretches during the day, you may have become accustomed to keeping your GSD outside.
Its a practical option to make sure your house doesnt get destroyed by a bored, high energy dog while you are not around.
Maybe you just prefer that your GSD be an outside dog.
So when the weather turns cold, what are you supposed to do?
Trust your GSD inside the house, unsupervised, even if they are not trained for it?
If that is a lot to swallow and does not seem like a viable option for you, have no worries.
The GSD has a thick double coat of fur. The longer outer layer of thicker hairs are generally described as wirey. These are thick and dense and lay close to the body. This outer coat is like your dogs protective shell against the elements.
The inner coat is where the cold weather protection is found is a softer, downier texture under the outer layer, right up against the body, and is the reason why a GSD can withstand such cold temperatures. This is like the inner down jacket you might put on under a lighter shell.
The GSD, by nature, is designed to handle cold temps.
How Do I Protect German Shepherd Paws If They Hate Paw Palm
If your dog will tolerate wearing them, dog boots are an excellent way to protect your German Shepherds paws from snow, ice, and debris. If your dog works long hours, especially on questionable terrain, these are a great choice.
The best way to train your dog to wear boots is to reward and distract them at first, then get them into the midst of activity so they stop worrying about whats on their feet.
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Make Sure To Give Your German Shepherd Plenty Of Social Interaction
As mentioned above, German Shepherds are a social dog breed that thrives off social interaction with their humans and even other dogs or animals. A GSD that is kept mostly outside still needs the same level of human interaction that an inside GSD would require.
German Shepherds need both physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis or they are prone to get bored and develop destructive tendencies. All German Shepherds also need a good amount of training so they can understand what is expected of them both inside and outside.
Some people think that an outside dog can be interacted with less because they are outside, but this isnt the case. If you are going to keep a GSD outside, you need to make an extra effort to spend the appropriate amount of time with them to keep them happy and well-rounded.
Additionally, GSDs that are left outside without a lot of social interaction are more likely to develop aggressive behaviors because they learn to become wary of new people or situations since they arent exposed to as much.
How To Get A German Shepherd Puppy To Sleep Outside
Once your German Shepherd has hit the 4-month mark, you can start trying to get him to sleep outside. Remember that this will be a task that may take a bit of time and patience, as puppies are much like newborn humans and wont want to leave their cozy home or family.
For this reason, some pet owners may wait until the 6-month mark for potentially better success.
In any case, dont force your 4-month old puppy to sleep outside all night if hes incessantly whimpering the first night. Basically, you should not expect your German Shepherd puppy to be A-Okay with the sudden change. He will likely not want to sleep outside, and you should never ignore him especially on the first night.
So how can you get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep outside and happily, too? Well, here are four simple tips and tricks for helping your 4-month old German Shepherd to sleep outside without a whine or whimper:
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The Surface Area To Volume Ratio
We mentioned this a bitbefore, but according to research, large animals have a smaller surface area tovolume ratio. This is important because it helps them retain heat for longer.Smaller dogs are opposite with a larger surface area to volume ratio. Thismeans that smaller dogs will need to raise their metabolism rate to retainheat.
Since German Shepherdsare larger dogs, they can hold onto heat better. It is not uncommon to findthese dogs growing to 26 inches and weighing 90 pounds . Somedogs of this breed can grow bigger, which helps them to better handle coldtemperatures.
What Temperature Can German Shepherds Withstand
German Shepherds are comfortable with temperatures as low as -4.
Anything below that and your GSD will have problems regulating temperature.
If a German Shepherd has thick fur, great surface area to volume ratio, and large muscle mass, they can withstand temperatures between -9 and -12 for a short period.
But not all German Shepherd dogs have an ability to regulate body heat in temperatures as low as -4.
As it gets colder, some GSD will have a hard time coping.
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Keep The Dog Away From Antifreeze And Salt
Antifreeze and salt are essential during the cold season as they help melt the snow. However, if you own a German shepherd, caution is needed. If ingested, the antifreeze can turn out to be poisonous on your dog leading to gastric obstructions.
Additionally, your dog is at risk of getting its paws hurt if it steps on the salt-as salt tends to corrode its paws.
Consider getting you German shepherd boots, if you are to go for walks with it.
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German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldn’t be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while German Shepherds are a great breed of dog to have if you live in a place where it is cold.
German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldn’t be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while German Shepherds are a great breed of dog to have if you live in a place where it is cold.
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German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldn’t be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while German Shepherds are a great breed of dog to have if you live in a place where it is cold.
German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldn’t be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while. If they have shelter from cold wind, they can be out even longer.
German Shepherds are built to be able to tolerate cold weather well. While they shouldn’t be out in the cold 24/7, they can handle being in cold weather for a while. If they have shelter from cold wind, they can be out even longer.
Can German Shepherds Survive In The Wild
Whether any individual German Shepherd can survive in the wild will vary between each individual dog.
German Shepherds that never had a human family will have a higher likelihood of surviving in the wild. This is because they will keep more of their natural instincts to learn to hunt and rely solely on themselves for food.
German Shepherds that have been kept as household pets will normally have a harder time surviving in the wild because they have become accustomed to relying on humans for their daily needs. However, there are definitely exceptions.
German Shepherds who have confident personalities with higher prey drives can survive in the wild more successfully. Whereas German Shepherds who are timid with a lower prey drive may have trouble finding food and avoiding predators.
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Create The Right Environment
Knowing that your GSD has great natural protection in his fur is no reason to just leave them on their own when facing the elements.
You must create the right environment so your German Shepherd can live outside in the winter and not suffer.
You should take the following precautions offered by other GSD owners and experts to make your GSD more comfortable and protect him from harsh weather:
Do German Shepherds Get Hot Easily
Walking or playing in the sun can overheat a dog really quickly, especially our German shepherds whose upper half is black. That dark pigment absorbs the sunlight and can make them hot rapidly. Also be mindful of the ground temperature and avoid walks on concrete or especially blacktop during the heat of the day.
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Shorten The Time He Stays Outside
Even though your buddy looks comfortable and jubilant, its advisable to avoid spending too much time in the snow.
Dont let him freeze because frostbite can put his life at risk. In most cases, youll notice some frostbite on the tail tips and ear flaps.
Its best to rush him inside and try keeping him warm.
Ways To Keep Your Dog Warm In Winter
Whether your GermanShepherd has a low cold tolerance, is young, old, sick, or underweight, it isimportant to keep them warm. A few things you can do to help with this include:
- Provide them a warm place to sleep. A comfy bed,like this Furhaven Pet Dog Bed,and some blankets will work nicely.
- Provide water. Hydration is important. Petsupplements with electrolytes may help improve muscle function when it gets cold.This DoggieWatervitamin and supplement is a perfect choice.
- Provide a healthy diet.
- Groom your dog often. Try to avoid the temptationto trim the hair when it is cold.
- Provide a dog Coat. An option like this SCPET Fog Winter Coatcan add an extra layer of protection when your dog needs to be in thecold.
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Whats Better For Training Outside Or Inside Living
As one of the most intelligent dog breeds we know of, it goes without saying that most owners want to train their GSD to a high level of obedience. And whether or not your GSD lives outdoors or indoors does have an impact.
While there are arguments for and against, the majority of professional dog trainers agree that dogs allowed to sleep inside the home with the family are easier to train, are more obedient, and produce fewer behavioral issues down the line.
Why is this? Dogs are social animals and relationships are extremely important. The stronger the bond between you and him, the more receptive and responsive he will be to you. Pack hierarchy and authority are paramount in the ability to train any dog, and by having a closer relationship you are better able to establish yourself as the leader, equating to more effective training sessions.This isnt to say that German Shepherds that live and sleep outside cant be trained, Its just that if you want a streamlined process, indoors will be a better option.
Do German Shepherds Need To Be Inside
Yes. If you want your German Shepherd to develop a suitable temperament, they should be allowed inside at least half of the time.
These dogs are active, so they may naturally want to spend a lot of time outdoors especially when the weather is nice. However, they should never be forced to spend the majority of their time outdoors.
There are a few reasons for this:
German Shepherds rely a lot on their bond with their family members. They are people-oriented dogs that were bred for their devotion. However, if they arent around their family a lot, they likely wont develop this relationship. A German Shepherd that isnt devoted to their family probably wont be a well-behaved one.
Their eager-to-please temperament wont be there if the relationship isnt.
German Shepherds are brilliant dogs. Their brains are always on. To develop properly, they need a lot of mental stimulation.
If your dog is confined to the same block of space, they likely wont get enough mental stimulation. This lack can lead to destructive behaviors. Dogs may start by digging holes or attempting to climb the fence . They may also bark needlessly.
In extreme cases, these German Shepherds can become aggressive. They may be a bit too excited to see people, leading to over-exuberant behaviors and aggression.
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