How Much Attention Do German Shepherds Need

November 2, 2021

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How Do You Discipline A German Shepherd Puppy

HOW MUCH EXERCISE DOES A GERMAN SHEPHERD NEED?

German Shepard puppies should be restricted to a small area while youre at work, and they should only be released into the house or yard when no one is home. Puppies need lots of time to play and exercise every day, and this regimen will also help curb chewing on furniture and other objects.Its best if your puppy doesnt have any other pets in its new environment. If the dog has other animals for company, make them get plenty of attention before giving up their pet time for your pup. Your little friend will thank you later with lots of love! And finallykeep good treats handy! It might take a few weeks before realizing that discipline is just having very limited human contact or being walked/exerc.

Training Your German Shepherd

German Shepherds require training. As with socialization, training helps to prevent overprotectiveness and aggression.

The size and capability of German Shepherds also make the ability to control them a necessity.

Training provides physical and mental stimulation for your highly active and highly intelligent German Shepherd, who can develop unwanted and destructive behaviors when bored or pent up.

Additionally, training provides dedicated bonding time between an owner and their German Shepherd, which emotionally satisfies the dog .

German Shepherds benefit from further training, i.e., more than just obedience training. You can train them for agility, herding, tracking, etc.

The necessary training of your German Shepherd will require lots of your time and attention.

But dont worry, weve got you covered be sure to read the excellent article that we have for you linked below, as it covers all you need to know about training your German Shepherd.

German Shepherd Training & Exercise

Smart and eager to please, the German Shepherds attentiveness and trainability has made it one of the most versatile breeds in the world.

German Shepherd puppy training is best started when the dog is 8 weeks old. If not given structured training from early on, GSD puppies will quickly make their own rules.
Because the breeds loyal nature can make GSDs defensive around strangers, its important to prioritise socialisation. Puppies should be introduced to new people, places and experiences early.
Its also much easier to teach German Shepherds to walk on the lead politely while they are still small!
German Shepherds are keen to please and can be sensitive to your reactions. Its therefore best to focus on praising good behaviour and either ignoring bad behaviour or giving them a No before moving on.

A combination of stamina, intelligence, athleticism and enthusiasm means that adult German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise per day, as well as plenty of .
Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, GSDs are prone to burning off excess energy through destructive or unwanted behaviours like chewing, chasing, pulling on the lead and barking.

Try playing games that involve seeking objects, tracking and retrieving.
GSDs are very owner-focused, and generally very good at and willing to engage in obedience training.

German Shepherd Grooming

German Shepherds have a thick coat to protect them from the elements, so they do shed and need regular grooming.

Also Check: German Shepherd Puppy Long Hair

How Much Exercise Does A Senior German Shepherd Need

As your German Shepherd ages, they wont need as much exercise as they once did. Its important to monitor how much they are getting and to make sure they arent overdoing it.

If you use the PitPat app, well set an age appropriate exercise goal for your dog that decreases as they age. You can also set your own goals manually in case they have higher or lower exercise needs.

Why Do German Shepherds Talk So Much

Do German Shepherds need a lot of attention? in 2020 ...

According to Vetstreet, the German shepherd dog breed is considered to be one of the 12 most talkative purebred dog breeds.

What does talkative mean, exactly? It means that these dogs vocalize a lot.

As the ASPCA points out, one reason that German Shepherds tend to be particularly vocal is that they have a long history of working as herding dogs.

Herding dogs have to care for large flocks of vulnerable livestock animals such as cattle or sheep. Often, the herds spread out over large distances and the dogs work independently of one another and of their people.

Barking and other vocalizations are the best way to keep the lines of communication open about whether predators are approaching and the status of the herd in different areas.

German Shepherds are also one of the most popular breeds for military, police, security, protection, and guarding dog work. Here again, vocalizing is an important part of coordinating security and protection between dogs and their people.

German Shepherds are known to have a particularly impressive variety of sounds they use to communicate with their people.

As the California Golden State German Shepherd Rescue charity reports, these are some of the most commonly reported vocalizations that GSDs tend to make:

Whining.
Howling.
Moaning.

There are also other sounds German Shepherds make that are not so easy to describe. On one popular German Shepherd owner forum, a GSD owner describes his dogs sounds as conversations.

Are German Shepherds Easy To Train

#7 German Shepherds are obedient and easy to train German Shepherds are obedient, making them easier to train compared to other dog breeds. Not only do German Shepherd perform well in task training, obedience training wouldnt be any problem for them as well. They will listen and obey to your commands.

Use These Techniques To Get Your German Shepherd To Listen To You In Different Situations And Places

STEP 1 When working on new commands begin indoors in a quiet, distraction-free area like a bedroom.

STEP 2 Once they listen to you in the quiet area, challenge your GSD by moving to different rooms. Try a kitchen or living area when the TV is on.

STEP 3 Now add in more distractions. Have your family or friends around while you ask your dog to perform the command.

STEP 4 If they dont listen, go back to the last area or environment they heard you in. For example, move back to the quiet bedroom if the TV on in the living room distracts them. Remember, youre rewarding them with their special motivator when they perform the behavior correctly for you.

STEP 5 Once your German Shepherd has mastered listening to you indoors, begin training in your backyard or front yard Move on to places farther than your own yards or garden, such as the sidewalk or a park, when theyve mastered the distractions of your yard.

Recommended Reading: When Do German Shepherds Ears Stand Up

The Key Takeaways Here Are:

For effective German Shepherd training, you must be a good leader in your dogs life.
Leadership is about using brains and NOT brawn to train your German Shepherd.
Understand what your dog is not , learn to speak your dogs language, and get inside his head.
Always be patient and consistent with your training and reinforcement.
Aggressive methods are not effective when training your German Shepherd. You will see little to no results, it will cause trust issues and youll break your dogs spirit. Always be kind!
Positive reinforcement and training will bring quicker, long-lasting results. And build a strong relationship of trust and love between you and your German Shepherd.

Check out this article to learn how to teach your German Shepherd not to jump on you or your guests.

Afton Jackson

The part of your article that mentioned consistency and why it matters when training dogs was definitely one part that was helpful to read. The last thing I want to happen is that my dog would be let loose thinking that they would behave and they suddenly act aggressively towards my family because we gave the wrong command. Ill make sure I focus on this aspect of training when I find a dog trainer in the area that can help me train my german shepherd.

Reply

Gabriella V

Hi Roylena,

Im so sorry, I totally forgot to drop the link to my article on jumping here for you to check out. Here it isHow to stop a German Shepherd from Jumping on You.

Do German Shepherds Like To Swim

Things to know as a new German Shepherd owner | Mistakes made by new owners

There is some disagreement on this point. There are, however, certain groups of German Shepherd owners who believe that swimming is not healthy for these dogs because of their thick coat and the inability to shake themselves dry after getting wet. Some people feel that a towel puts undue stress on the joints and back muscles which can lead to injury over time since it takes much longer to dry off with a towel than with water alone.There are other dog enthusiasts who claim they have seen no problems at all with their GSDs in regards to frequent swimming sessions.Do you have experience or knowledge that would help settle this dispute? If so, please comment here! ?.

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German Shepherds And Barking

As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. If youre having problems with excessive noise or barking, we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist.

How To Make German Shepherd Loyal To Multiple People

Some German Shepherd Dogs can Be Loyal To Only One person. But I will advise you to take some steps to make him attached to all your family.

Ask Your Family Members to spend some time with him: Your parents, wife or children can be busy with their work or school, etc. But ask them to spend a little time at least every day with Your Dog. For example, when they come home, they should give a treat to the dog or Play with him for 10 15 minutes at least.

Feed Him: Create a schedule and ask other members to feed the German Shepherd. For example, You Feed Him the Breakfast and Lunch, then ask your parents to serve him the dinner. The Next Day can be your wife to offer him the dinner, and the next day again, your brother or Child. It is a Great Way to let Your GSD Dog Know that everyone cares about him.

Involve your family in training: When You are training your dog, ask other family members to join you. There are several types of commands to teach the Dog, which can require the help of another person.

Try to play group Games: These types of games can be played with your dog and family. These are some of the critical things you can do to help create a great relationship between your family and German Shepherd. Dogs love to play, and they create a fantastic connection with people who play with them. After This article you can read this Blog Post about : What do German Shepherd Puppies Like To play with.

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What Do I Do With My German Shepherd While At Work

Start by using a baby gate, not shutting the door. This allows your pup to still see you, even if she cant reach you. Start slowly, leaving your GSD alone in a crate or safe zone for just a few minutes. Leave a treat or new toy with her, some food, water, and soft bedding, then walk away for 3 5 minutes.

Offer Your Puppy Another Option When They Begin Jumping On You For Attention

Do German Shepherds Need A Lot Of Attention?

Jumping on other dogs might be fine for play, but its not safe when a large, powerful German Shepherd jumps on people!

When your dog tries to get your attention by jumping on you, its best to either ignore them or better give them another option that you DO want.

Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them.

When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval .

Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive.

After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again!

Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly.

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How Much Exercise Does My Gsd Need

The American Kennel Club recommends at least two hours of exercise activity spent with your GSD every day. This amount of time may be as low as 60 minutes if it is strenuous or vigorous exercise. Depending on how much intensity you put into exercising your GSD, you may spend more time outdoors when deciding how much walking does a German Shepherd need.

Remember When Training A German Shepherd Puppy:

Time out should not last over 1-2 minutes.
Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period .
Then let them out quietly, without scolding them.

And dont close a door on a young puppy inside a room!

This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gateto separate them off from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped.

Dont allow them out of time out while they are barking, whining, scratching, or otherwise acting out. This only serves to reinforce the unwanted bad behavior and doesnt discipline them effectively.

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Phase #: 7 Years And Above

Finally, in this period, parents will start to notice a big change in their dogs energy levels.

German Shepherds were reported to have calmed down at 7 or 8 years old.

However, dont expect a 180-degree change right away.

Theyre still going to be hyper. But this time, theyll rest more than usual. And they may also get tired fast as theyre now entering their senior years.

Note: This is generalized. So your doggo can experience it earlier or later. As there are other factors that can affect this.

What are they?

Lets dive right in.

Routine Care Diet And Exercise

German Shepherd Everything You Need to Know

Build her routine care into your schedule to help your GSD live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.

Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. This will keep her out of trouble and away from objects she shouldnt put in her mouth.
She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair daily brushing is recommended during this time.
German Shepherd Dogs generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Dont worrywell show you how!
She has a high prey drive, so she needs to be leash walked and a fenced yard is a must.
She’s a large, smart dog with lots of energy, so keep her mind and body active, or she’ll get bored. That’s when the naughty stuff starts.
Naturally a bit wary, she’s distrustful of strangers bond her to children early to trigger protective behaviors.
Keep your dogs diet consistent and dont give her people food.
Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.
Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first.

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German Shepherds And Children

Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children.

Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds can be nervous of strangers so make sure theyre never left unsupervised. Be careful if you are introducing a German Shepherd to younger children or adults unfamiliar with the breed as they often dont know their own strength.

Will A German Shepherd Work With Your Lifestyle

Although German Shepherds can work brilliantly for a lot of first-time owners, its best that you sit down and think about your situation before you go out and buy one.

Remember that dogs arent just something you can buy to look cool and easily take care of because theyre not. Dogs require a lot of time, love, attention, and money, so take a moment to think about why you really want a German Shepherd.

If youve been wanting to own a dog for a long time and youve decided on a German Shepherd, there are some other things you need to think about. These dogs arent the most time consuming, but they do still take up a lot more time than most other breeds. Take some time to look at your situation and consider the following things:

Do You Work Full-Time? German Shepherds are very time-consuming dogs. They require at least one a 1-hour walk per day but preferably two and need plenty of socialisation and attention. If you work a typical 09:00-17:00 and dont have anyone else that can spend that time with them, its just not fair on the dog. They will likely get bored, wont get enough exercise and may develop behaviour problems if left alone consistently.

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