How Many Hours Of Exercise Does A German Shepherd Need

Icipating In An Obedience Class/school

Obedience class is where your German Shepherd should learn manners and the basic skills like behaving properly through lifes everyday situations with you and your family. There are schools that teach you how to train your own dog and there are others that train your dog directly and then pass on the commands to you.

After taking an obedience class, make sure to practice the commands with your German Shepherd in different situations to stimulate both mental and physical discipline.

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What Can Influence Your German Shepherds Exercise Requirements

Even if dogs of the same breed have many common traits, they dont necessarily need the same amount of physical activity or mental stimulation.

German Shepherds have huge stimulation requirements because they are naturally hardworking, intelligent, and active life partners. Yet, other factors such as your dogs age, health conditions, or energy level can also change how much exercise he should have!

Disclaimer: The general guideline relates to an active and healthy adult German Shepherd.

Age.

The first element you must take into account to exercise your GSD properly is how old he is. Whatever age he has, physical activity and mind enrichment is still essential.

However, you should not do the same amount and type of workouts with a puppy, an adult, or a senior German Shepherd.

How Much Exercise Does Your Puppy German Shepherd Need?

Too much vigorous activity can be harmful to very young dogs, so you must be careful. Before 3 months of age, purposeful exercise is not necessary for your GSD puppy. Then, I highly recommend you to stick with the 5-minutes rule.

A puppy German Shepherd will need around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age up to twice per day. At 4 months old, he should get approximately 20 to 40 minutes of moderate physical activity. Puppy play, gentle walking, and fun games are great ways to exercise young German Shepherds.

How Much Exercise Does Your Senior GSD Need?

Health & Physical Conditions.

Energy Level.

A Flirt Pole Increases Endurance

A flirt pole helps exercise your German Shepherd in small spaces.

The flirt pole is a gift to worn-out German Shepherd owners!

It not only helps your dog improve their basic manners and impulse control, but it also gives them a workout. And in just a few minutes of play!

You dont have to do much work yourself, either!

Look for a pole with an enticing lure to excite and interest your dog. I prefer this fun tail-teasing lure flirt pole since its easy to handle and the fuzzy toy really encourages my GSD to chase it.

How a Flirt Pole Works

• Lure your dog to play by dragging the toy on the ground in a large arching half-circle pattern.
• They chase the lure while you move the toy in different ways to keep them moving.
• They catch the lure and tug.
• You give their release or drop command and start the exercise game again.

Its like a giant cat toy, but better because its for German Shepherds!

Avoid playing this game by moving the lure in tight circles or making your dog jump high in the air for it. Thats not the point of the game. Its made to mimic chasing prey along the ground in large movements.

If your dog is slipping frequently, definitely find another surface to play on. You dont want a German Shepherd, even an adult, making quick twists and abrupt turns that could cause them damage.

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Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way

If you havent trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.

The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.

With Brain Training For Dogs youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.

So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!

And in most cases its still going to be:

• Cheaper than hiring a professional.
• Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
• And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.

Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether theyll be naughty or not. Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.

Exercise Required for Younger German Shepherds

Problem #03 Chewing On Furniture Or Other Objects

Chewing furniture or other objects can become another frustrating issue with four-month old german shepherds. This can occur when your pet becomes teething, which is a common problem for German shepherd pups before they reach five months of age.

Four month old german shepherds often chew on furniture or other objects to ease the pain from their developing teeth. Chewing also helps them remove excess baby teeth that may still be in their mouths. However, you should not let this become a habit as it can cause serious damage to your home and belongings over time.

Make sure you keep any furniture or other objects with teeth marks off-limits for your pets reach at all times. This will help discourage him from chewing on anything he is not supposed to. You can also give him toys that are designed for chewing, such as a rubber ball or bone-shaped chew toy.

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Get Back To The Roots With Herding Trials

German Shepherds were originally herding dogs, and if you have the means, you can engage in old traditions. Herding is an excellent exercise for the GSD. Moreover, herding will engage your dogs intellect.

You and your dog can take herding lessons and participate in various competitions. Some Shepherds compete for simple titles such as Excellent, while others compete against various herding dogs for trophies. Alsatians can participate in breed-specific trials or classes against other herders like Australian Shepherds.

This is an example of a German Shepherd performing a herding trial. You can observe how alert and mentally engaged the dog must be and how attuned to the handler. Note how much speed and endurance the Shepherd possesses.

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What Types Of Exercise Are Great For German Shepherds

Walking is one form of exercise that German Shepherds will enjoy. Because they need at least 2 hours of activity, you may consider breaking those 2 hours into two separate walking trips. You can go for an hour walk in the morning, and then another hour walk later in the afternoon or evening. However, you break up the time, spending at least 2 hours walking each day will help your canine companion release the energy he has.

If your dogs in good shape and healthy, then you may even consider adding a weighted vest to your dog for walks. Heres one to look at the XDOG Weight & Fitness Vest for Dogs. This vet comes in a number of sizes, so youll be able to find the right fit for your dog. This vet uses weight bags, which can be filled with sand or copper bbs. These types of weights mold to the dogs body, making them more comfortable. However, this may not be a good option in very hot weather.

Also, be sure to never add more weight than 10% of their body. This is a comfortable weight that will make sure your dog is tired while giving him an overall workout.

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What Happens If They Dont Get Enough Exercise

In this section, we will discuss what can happen to German Shepherds if they dont get enough exercise.

They Are at Risk of Different Health Issues without Enough Activity

Without enough exercise, these dogs are at risk of minor to severe health issues. Having a pet, especially an active dog is a serious commitment you should make for the life of your pet

Just like people, dogs need routine, sunlight, fresh air, and a good stretch to stay limber and healthy. Regular exercise will prevent or help with health problems that might be common to these dogs, and another benefit is that they will stay at a healthy weight and are less prone to becoming overweight.

They Can Have Behavioral Issues Without Enough Exercise

German shepherds can be prone to aggression. Its part of their breeding, and their temperament, which made them natural pack leaders in shepherding, and their assertive and vocal nature makes them ideal partners in fields like law enforcement.

Some German shepherds have jobs, as you may have seen in airports. Only the most intelligent, trainable dogs are selected for things like guide dog programs or law enforcement work.

But for the non-working Shepherd, correct training when your pet is young and reinforcing these behaviors throughout the life of your pet will allow you to direct the dominant nature or any adolescent aggressive behavior positively.

Couch Potato Dogs

Your Dog Is In The Prime Of Her Life

In the prime of life, German Shepherds experience great health and vigor. They will require two or more hours of exercise daily, and will not be able to get by with just a long walk.

At least half an hour should involve vigorous running. Providing mental stimulation will enable you to substitute tasks for some of the intensive exercises.

Since German Shepherds require regular training to become civilized within the family and out in the social world, you can make it part of your exercise routine.

Incorporate games and perhaps weekend outings into your dogs schedule to keep her from becoming bored.

German Shepherds may deal with insufficient exercise and boredom by digging, chewing, barking, or becoming otherwise disruptive.

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German Shepherd Exercise Needs

German Shepherd Dogs love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge. Most shepherds love to play ball or Frisbee. Whether it is ball chasing, Frisbee catching, obedience training, participation in a canine playgroup or just taking long walks/jogs, you must be willing to provide some form of daily, constructive exercise. The daily exercise must always include daily walks/jogs to satisfy the dogâs migration instinct. If under-exercised and/or mentally challenged, this breed can become restless and destructive. Does best with a job to do.

What To Do If You Lose Your German Shepherd

If your German Shepherd Dog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:2. Report the missing pet on the .3. Contact the local vet clinics to see if someone has brought in your missing pet.4. Phone the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Pounds.

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Exercise For An Older Gsd

German Shepherd becomes less active and comparatively slow as it grows older. It is still important for it to maintain energy and mobility and manage its weight.

Exercise for an older dog must be limited as these dogs may develop arthritis and over-exercising makes them tired. Finally, a German Shepherd needs at least 30-45 minutes of exercise to keep up their high energy levels and strong stamina.

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How Much Should 4 Month Old German Shepherd Eat

A four-month old german shepherd puppy should eat three times a day, and their diet should be split into three different meals. During this time, they will eat anywhere from one to two cups of food per meal. At the end of four months, German Shepherd puppies usually start eating twice daily. Once your german shepherd is six months old, you can switch to an adult dog food that contains less protein than puppy food.

As for treats, you can give your German Shepherd puppy three to five small snacks a day if they are eating the right amount of dog food at each meal. You should never overfeed them or feed them human food because it will make their joints weaker and cause obesity problems as well as other health issues later in life!

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Daily German Shepherd Exercise Routines

A daily German Shepherd exercise routine is a must for your high-energy breed!

But theres more to exercise than just keeping your dog moving. A daily exercise routine not only keeps them fit and healthy but also helps give them better behavior

And you know how important it is to have a well-mannered dog!

This guide has everything you need to start and keep your dog on the right track for a healthy life.

How Much Exercise Does My German Shepherd Puppy Need

Puppies need exercise to develop healthy bones, muscles and hearts. Exercise goes a long way to help curb anxiety and behavior issues related to boredom. But you may have heard that too much exercise can be harmful. How much exercise is necessary, how much is too much, and what kinds of exercise should you be doing?

As a general rule, your puppy knows best. Normal puppy play is okay, and you should never feel as though you should stop your puppy from playing on its own accord. Short walks are also okay, as long as your idea of a short walk isn’t 3 miles every morning! Short games of fetch and tug are also okay. Fetch is especially hard on the body because most dogs rapidly accelerate to go after the ball and rapidly decelerate once they get to it, so 4-6 good throws is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises. Tug is also hard on the body, so 3-5 minutes is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises as well. Swimming is a great, low-impact exercise. Just make sure your puppy doesn’t ingest too much water while swimming. It’s also recommended that you not play fetch in the water because dogs can accidentally ingest a lot of water when retrieving toys thrown into bodies of water.

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What Is A German Shepherd’s Temperament Like

There is no doubting a German Shepherd’s intelligence, but with that comes a high level of confidence and a good amount of aloofness. Since these dogs tend to be loyal and protective, they are generally wary of strangers. That makes them a perfect watchdog, but their suspicious and reserved nature can make them feel unfriendly towards guests. Even so, with training, they make great, loyal family pets, and if you introduce them to other animals and children early they’ll get along extremely well. Those bred in the US tend to be more calm.

Problem #04 Inappropriate Barking At Strange Objects

In some cases, four-month old german shepherds may bark excessively when they encounter something new. This is another common problem many pet parents have to deal with from time to time.

Inappropriate barking at strange objects can become a serious problem for your four-month old german shepherd, as it will only get worse over time if you do not correct him right away. You should never allow him to bark excessively, or he may develop the habit of doing so whenever something unfamiliar enters his sight.

Your pet may bark excessively when he sees something new because it is natural for them to be suspicious of things they are not familiar with. This should not be mistaken as aggression, just a sign that your four-month old german shepherd needs more training and socialization.

Keep in mind that barking can also become habitual if you do nothing about this particular issue. It is important to train your four-month old german shepherd right away that excessive barking at strange objects will not be tolerated.

: If you are having any of these common four month old German Shepherd behaviour problems, try using some of the tips mentioned above and make sure to properly socialize him with other pets and strangers on a regular basis. This will help him become a well-mannered adult dog in no time!

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How Long Should A German Shepherd Be Walked

That said, most German Shepherds will usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise per day. This can be spread out across the day and can include all sorts of high energy activity, like walking, running and playing.

Four Month Old German Shepherd Behaviour

The first four months of a German shepherds life is filled with excitement and energy. This time period can be described as an adventure, where the pup will learn many new things from his human family. As exciting as this experience may seem for both owner and dog, it can also be challenging at times to handle your pet during these stages.

The behavior of a four-month old German shepherd can be unpredictable at times. He may suddenly begin to exhibit temper tantrums or other undesirable behaviors that are hard to control, especially if you have never raised one before. These behaviours will vary depending on the dogs breed and its specific personality traits. However, there is still much you can do to help improve your German shepherds behaviour and make it easier to handle.

The following are some of the most common four-month old german shepherd behavior problems, along with their possible causes and solutions:

Common Four Month Old German Shepherd Behaviour Problems & Their Solutions

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