Problems Of Not Exercising Your German Shepherd Daily
Not making the time to exercise your German Shepherd daily will lead to bigger problems.
Your dog can develop a variety of problems when they dont receive enough opportunities for exercise.
These negative behaviors can cause issues for your family that disrupts your lives. Dont let lack of activity cause issues for your dog when its entirely preventable.
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.
Can Your Gsd Exercise Alone & How Do I Do That
Your GSD can learn to exercise alone provided youve socialized him or her properly and given them enough things to otherwise keep busy. Providing your dog with plenty of toys and both mental and physical challenges will encourage them to exercise and burn off energy even when youre not around.
Start by training your dog with something like a flirt pole, so that they learn how to run back and forth by themselves. Depending on how agile your dog is, you might consider putting together an obstacle course or other kind of structured designated play area.
Over time, you may even be able to train your dog to work through a regular exercise routine the way that the German Shepherd Man did:
If you have more than one dog, then you could teach them to play keep away with one another by having them share a toy. While you shouldnt ever get another dog just to keep your first one company, this can be a great way to have them exercise alone if you already have a couple of GSDs.
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Running Biking Or Skating With Your Dog
The faster your dog is moving the more energy they will release. Try running, biking or skating with your dog to really get them moving. As the German Shepherd has good levels of stamina and can go for long distances, they can make great running partners. Just be sure to build up the distance and intensity of the activity over time to prevent causing injury to your dog. Read Running with your dog for more on this.
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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How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need
The best way to calculate how much exercise your German Shepherd needs is to calculate 5 minutes per month of age. If a puppy is two months old, you should exercise it for 10 minutes, twice a day.
When your puppy reaches 9 months, it should be getting 45 minutes of play at least twice a day.
Although the amount of exercise listed here are only suggestions, they are recommended by German Shepherd experts.
Treat your dog as an individual and test its exercise needs, extending or reducing exercise times to match its abilities.
German Shepherd exercise times depend on their age. Younger dogs need less exercise than adults.
As your pet matures and becomes a senior at around 7 years, you can start to cut back on its exercise routine.
Play it by ear as dog needs are as individual as people and will need an independent approach to their situation.
If your pet suffers from hip dysplasia, shorter, easier, and less frequent exercise arduous will be necessary. If your dog does suffer a specific illness, it may be wise to consult your vet about their exercising needs.
If running or hiking is no longer possible, swimming may be a good option since this will place less strain on their joints.
How Do I Know If My Dog Needs More Exercise
Signs Your Dog Isnt Getting Enough Exercise
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Playing With A Flirt Pole
A flirt pole is essentially like a giant cat toy. Its a pole, with a string attached to one end, and an enticing lure at the end of that string that your dog will want to chase.
This item is absolutely perfect for German Shepherd owners that are a little tired out, as it allows you to exercise your dog without you having to move much!
This can be turned into a really fun game to keep your dog entertained, but it also helps increase endurance and focus.
Plus, if done well, it also teaches your German Shepherd to handle impulse control and to listen to basic commands when hyped up.
To use the flirt pole, follow these steps:
You could be sitting on the sofa throughout this whole game, and meanwhile, your dog will be expending a lot of energy and having a lot of fun.
Its perfect! Just avoid this exercise with puppies, as they arent coordinated or strong enough for it just yet.
How Much Physical Exercise Do German Shepherds Need
The noble German Shepherd was bred as a herding dog and typically assisted with watching sheep and other livestock. German Shepherds, therefore, need a lot of physical activity.
Without meeting their need for physical and mental stimulation, they grow bored, display destructive behavior such as chewing or digging and act out through barking or whining.
It is generally accepted that German Shepherds need at least two hours of physical activity every day, and that doesnt mean just leash walking!
Check out this 2-minute video on how to keep a dog happy and healthy in an apartment or smaller space. Number one on the list is to make sure your dog gets lots of exercise:
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Dont Over Exercise Your German Shepherd
You German will love to play without stopping. But you must remember that exercising your dog could lead to problems. Here are some symptoms of an over-exercise dog
- Mobility issues
- Anxiety
- Exhaustion
In hot temperatures, your German shepherd is likely to experience heatstroke. So be on the lookout if for the following symptoms:
- Drooling excessively
- Dizziness
Precautions To Take With Gsd Puppies
The OFA reports that almost 20% of German Shepherds born in 2017 will suffer from hip dysplasia and 14% from elbow dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is a complex process whereby the femur and socket do not come together properly because of abnormal growth.
A hereditary component of hip dysplasia is well-documented, but there are also outside influences that can contribute to the full manifestation of the debilitating condition.
While hip dysplasia requires the genetic markers to be present for it to express, obesity and overexertion exacerbate the condition. German Shepherds do not have an inherent problem with their weight.
However, health professionals have implicated the rapid growth of large breeds in extreme hip dysplasia.
Therefore, a diet low in calories and without excessive nutritional value combined with a moderate exercise regimen are the recommendations for young German Shepherds.
Some veterinarians recommend feeding adult dog food to puppies, although pet food manufacturers now market special large-breed puppy diets.
One of the greatest concerns with growing German Shepherds and bone developmental problems is overexertion.
There is a fine line between giving your puppy sufficient exercise to keep him mentally at peace, yet not so much as to cause uneven growth in the multiple components of her joints.
A good rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise per month of age. It is also reasonable to break exercise sessions up into several brief outings per day.
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Do German Shepherds Need To Be Walked Everyday
Your German Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. This should include walks and off-lead exercise in a safe area, with extra playtime and training on top to give them a good variety. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs, or even find exercises you can do together online.
How Much Exercise Do German Shepherds Need Every Day
One or two daily walks will satisfy their need for activity for some dogs, but most German shepherds will not fall into this category. Theyll appreciate having tasks to complete as well as the chance to release energy through physicality, whether it be running, hiking, playing with other dogs, or even agility drills.
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How Much Exercise Does Your German Shepherd Need
- by Sacha Parent
German Shepherds are active dogs that will require a great deal of exercise. Just as humans, they need to do physical activity and cognitive work to stay healthy and happy. Thus, if you have a GSD or consider adopting one, its essential to know how much exercise such an energetic dog breed needs!
Most German Shepherds should ideally get at least 2 hours of exercise per day. It should include daily walks , purposeful activity , and mental stimulation . To figure out how much exercise your dog needs, you also have to consider his age, health, and energy level.
Bred to perform multiple tasks and work with humans all day long, the GSD is an excellent companion for active people. With proper conditioning, training, and preparation, this energetic breed can be the ultimate partner for running, hiking, and other sports.
However, there are many things you should know to exercise your German Shepherd properly.
How To Keep German Shepherds Stimulated That Live In Small Spaces
The biggest problem for keeping a German Shepherd in a small home or apartment is stimulation, whether physical or mental. There is no doubt, you will have to do extra work to make it work. Luckily, I have some new ideas for you to try
To keep German Shepherds stimulated that live in small spaces or apartments, there are other useful events such as barn hunts and Schutzhundthat are gaining in popularity. These allow your dog to explore more of the outdoors after being indoors for a while and are great for both mental and physical stimulation.
Barn hunts are an organized sport that utilizes a dogs natural abilities and turns them into a fun game. First, a maze and obstacle course is built out of hay bales. Aerated tubes are hidden through the maze, and pet rats are placed in the tubes. By all accounts, the rats are safe from the dogs, and the aim is for the dogs to find the rats.
There are timed events with different divisions, and even special needs dogs can often find an event to compete in. This is a wonderful activity that will stimulate your German Shepherd, no matter how little space he lives in. The Barn Hunt Association has details of upcoming events and states the following:
Barn Hunt provides their first true opportunity for responsible breeders to test proper working traits in their dogs. Barn Hunt is also open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18 wide by bale-height tall tunnel.
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The European Working Lines And The Dogs Bred For Sport Such As Ipo Will Require Substantially More Exercise Than Other Types Of Gsd
How much exercise does my gsd need? The amount of exercise needed will depend on a lot of variables. Are you thinking about adding a gsd to your family or do you have a new puppy? True to their stamina and fitness. They learn new skills quickly making them easy to train with the right guidance. For those times when you need them to be calm in the home, there are lots of strategies you can use to keep them occupied. How much exercise does a german shepherd need? While there are many similarities in how to care for dogs in general, german shepherds are working dogs, which means they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.11 x trustworthy talk to german shepherd owners and trainers. German shepherds are one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. How much exercise does a senior german shepherd need? Come join the discussion about bloodlines, training, breeding, service dogs. Before we discuss the german shepherd exercise needs let us look at some brief about the dog. Not only can exercising your german shepherd be a great bonding experience between you and your puppy/dog, but research has shown owners with a dog are 34% more likely to get their own recommended weekly exercise as a result.
The german shepherd dog was initially bred for herding utility breed and later german shepherds are easy to train because of their good recall capability.
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How To Plan Your German Shepherds Exercise Routine:
When planning the exercise routine for your German Shepherd, there are a few different things you need to consider:
- Your dogs age:
Depending on the age of your dog, you can perform certain different types of exercises, at different levels of intensity.
For example, puppies cant perform the same exercises as adult German Shepherds, and the same goes for senior dogs.
Most exercise routines are designed for fully adult dogs.
- Your dogs health:
Your dogs health is something you always need to keep in mind and take into account.
If your dog has any health issues or injuries, you might not be able to perform certain types of exercise, or you might have to significantly reduce the intensity and difficulty.
- The types of exercises:
When putting together the exercise routine for your German Shepherd, make sure it combines a good variety of different types of exercises, and that they are placed the right way.
So for example, dont have a high-intensity workout right after another high-intensity workout. Its important that your dog gets enough rest in between!
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How Do You Take Care Of A 3 Month Old German Shepherd
One of the most important things to remember when taking care of a young German Shepherd is that they need plenty of exercises. A good way to make sure your pup gets enough exercise is to take them for long walks or hikes every day. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog during these walks and be prepared to stop if they start to tire out.
Another important thing to keep in mind is diet. Its important to make sure your dog is eating a healthy diet that will help them grow and stay healthy. There are many different types of dog food on the market, so its important to do your research and find the right one for your pup.
Finally, be sure to socialize your dog with other people and animals. This will help them grow into well-rounded adult dogs. Schedule regular playdates with friends who have dogs, and take your pup to the park so they can run around and meet new friends.
These are just a few of the things you need to keep in mind when taking care of 3 month old GSD.
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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