How To Brush Your German Shepherd Teeth
First, pick a toothbrush designed specifically for dogs. Then brush your dogs gums gently with toothpaste formulated for dogs, baking soda, or water.
You just need to brush the outside surface; your dogs tongue will naturally clean the top and inside surfaces.
You may also want to give your dog dental chew toys. In this way, they can satisfy their basic needs to chew and clean their teeth at the same time.
Use Peanut Butter To Keep Her Still
Most German Shepherds dont mind bath times, but there are still some that try to wiggle away. This can make each bathing session really stressful and difficult. Let peanut butter do the hard work for you. If you have tile walls , you can smear the peanut butter directly onto the wall at head height. This will keep your GSD glued to the same spot for a good 10 minutes. This will give you precious time to really massage her coat while she remains still. Ive tried this tip myself and it works wonders. Just be sure to use peanut butter that does NOT contain Xylitol or high salt. Check out our other article about peanut butter and German Shepherds.
Nailing Down The Truth
Dogs nails are always growing. If they walk on pavement or gravel often, their nails may get ground down from those surfaces. German Shepherds nails are usually black, so it is difficult to clip their nails without hitting the nerve.
The goal is to cut the nails down without hitting the nerve in the nail. Nails that are too long can make your dogs foot align incorrectly when they walk.
This can lead to foot and joint issues later on. When clipping their nails, high praise in a calm environment will give you the best results for them to get through it in the most positive way.
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The Bottom Line: Shedding Is A Way Of Life
At the end of the day, German Shepherds shed for their entire life no matter what you try to do about it. As a German Shepherd owner, you can only do your best to minimize it, but theres no stopping it. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a handful of tips for that matter.
If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them with us in the comment below.
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What Months Do German Shepherds Shed The Most
Alas, the animal in the street is not as well-dressed as his cousin in the window. Even though it might not be appealing to you, many breeds of dogs shed year-round. The good news is that this natural process happens less frequently during colder months and with increasing frequency as temperatures rise. On average, most breeds of dog shed once a month or approximately four times per year depending on what season it is and your specific breed.
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Groom And Bathe Your German Shepherd 3
So, I already went over that your German Shepherd will blow his coat twice a year once in the fall, once in the spring. Though you cant stop the fur clumps from eventually coming out, you can help to get rid of more of it at once by bathing and grooming him during these periods.
Rather than allowing his undercoat to gradually fall out as the two-week blowing period progresses, you can loosen up any remaining fur and get rid of it at bathing time.
Never over-bathe as this strips your German Shepherds natural oils causing dry skin which then causes further shedding.
There are also specific de-shedding dog shampoos and conditioners you can get to release the undercoat during the bath. You can even find ones enriched with Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, such as the FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo that help reduce shedding from Amazon, and Ill cover the benefits of these at number 7 below.
Next Use The Pin Brush On Thicker Areas Of Hair
Thick hair areas, such as around the neck, back of the legs, and belly areas, are where you need to pay close attention because the hair tends to get easily overlooked since its thicker. Use light pressure to avoid any scratching.
Be careful not to scratch your dogs skin when using the pin brush, especially when introducing the brush to your puppy. Avoid using this brush on their stomachs and bellies unless you have a soft touch.
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Items Needed For Your German Shepherd Grooming
- An Extra-wide Undercoat rake to help keep your dogs coat really shiny.
- A slicker brush to maintain your GSDs undercoat.
- Pet Grooming Gloves to brush the coat and remove any debris.
- Bath Brush for bath time.
- Shampoo to keep skin soft and healthy.
- Dog Towel a regular towel will suffice but you can invest in a more luxurious one for your GHD if you want to.
- Dog Nail Grinder you can use clippers, but a dog nail grinder tends to be safer than regular clippers.
- Ear Cleaner wipes these products assist in keeping your GSDs ears clean and fresh.
- Pet Tear Wipes these are used to gently clean your dogs eyes and should be used at least once a week.
Training To Take The Plunge
The best way to bathe your dog is to start them young. Let them get used to the warm water. The water level should not be more than elbow high for them.
Work from their bottom and move forward, saving their head for last. They are very sensitive to having their faces handled.
When scrubbing them, use circular motions with your fingers to get through the undercoat. You can also use long strokes in a massage-like way. These two methods can calm them down. Who does not like a massage?
Make sure you rinse often and repeatedly to make sure that all of the soap has been cleaned off. Dried residue can create irritation on their skin.
Have at least 3-4 towels ready to dry them off. If you are going to use a hairdryer, do not focus on one spot for too long, to avoid making one spot too hot for them.
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Feed Your German Shepherd With A Meat
One of the most effective ways of reducing shedding is to feed your German Shepherd with high-quality dog food.;
Cheap dog food is largely made of ingredients such as corn and grain that is difficult for any dog to digest.
Look for dog food that has meat as the main ingredient. Sure, it costs more, but it is beneficial to your German Shepherd in lots of different ways.
Dog food with meat as its main ingredient is easier to digest and absorb.;
Not only will it help to maintain a healthy coat and reduce shedding, it is also good for the overall health of your German Shepherd.;
How Often Should I Bathe My Pet
German Shepherds only need occasional baths, assuming theyre brushed regularly while being fed a nutritious diet. Some experts recommend no more than twice a year, and yet others recommend bathing once every 6-10 weeks which is way too often in my opinion. Twice a year should be enough or when really needed. Frequent bathing removes important oils from the skin and coat.
Bathing too often can lead to skin drying, irritation, and even hair loss! Unless your dog has a habit of playing in the mud, its best to keep bathing to a minimum. Not bathing enough has been said to potentially lead to excess oil buildup, but it all depends we go swimming a couple of times a year and we flush out the irritating salty water at home.
- Bathing frequency can depend on factors like outdoor playtime, length of coat, time of the year, etc.
- Ears should be checked weekly.
- Its easiest to trim the nails a little bit at a time, frequently.
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How To Bathe A German Shepherd Who Hates Bath
Heres what you can do to put your German shepherd at ease.
Grooming Requirements Of A German Shepherd
Grooming is not always about bathing your GSD. German Shepherds do not need frequent baths to stay clean and tidy. However, they require frequent grooming that makes them shine. Your GSDs coat needs special attention as it is double-coated and sheds throughout the year, and if groomed well, your dog will not shed a lot of fur.
There are certain grooming requirements for this breed of dogs.
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Where Did German Shepherds Come From
As the name suggests, the German Shepherd dog breed originated in Germany in the late 1800s. The most intelligent, responsive, and obedient local sheepdogs in Germany were bred to create what is now known as the German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd dog breed was responsible for raising sheep and protecting the herds from predators. They were not considered pets or friends but rather servants for the farmers. Their high level of intelligence, speed, strength and keen sense of smell made them the perfect choice as sheepherders. Although German shepherds were strictly considered workers rather than pets, farmers provided food, protection, and shelter for the breed.
Because of the breeds reputation for being brave and easy to train, German Shepherds were embraced as police dogs and sight dogs for the blind. Their excellent sense of smell and courageous nature has made the German Shepherd an ideal police dog. Their faithful observation of what goes on around their environment, along with their patience, has given them the role of leader of the blind on a global scale.
Can You Bathe A 3 Week Old Puppy
Do not yet submerge your three-week-old puppy in water. He will be ready for a bath in another week or two, but only if truly necessary even then. If your puppys mother is around still, she is the best way to get your pup clean. You will need to keep him warm before, during, and after any cleaning you do.
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What Happens If You Bathe A German Shepherd Too Much
If you bathe your german shepherd too much there could be some unexpected side effects. Here are some of the main problems that are likely to happen.
Their Coat Will Be Stripped Of Oil
German shepherds have oils in their coat which help keep the fur moisturized, shiny and clean. If you wash them too much, then youre going to strip these oils out of the fur. Their fur may then become dry and brittle, instead of shiny and strong.
You can help combat this by making sure you use a proper dog shampoo when youre washing them.
It Can Cause Dry Skin
As well as stripping their fur of oil, its also going to strip the skin of its oil as well. This can be even more problematic as it often leads to dry skin and other irritations that can cause your german shepherd to feel incredibly itchy all the time.
They Can Get A Chill
If you wash your german shepherd and dont dry them properly then they could get a chill. Did you know that german shepherds have a double coat? The outer coat helps to protect your pup from the elements , and the inner coat helps to keep them warm.
When youre giving your german shepherd a bath, youre going to soak the inner coat with water as well, so theyll have a harder time keeping warm. So if you do give your german shepherd a bath, make sure you dry them thoroughly afterward.
An Increase Chance Of Hot Spots
The more you wash your german shepherd, the more likely it is theyll suffer from hot spots.
It Could Stress Them Out
Should You Brush Your German Shepherd Daily
Wondering if you should brush your German Shepherd daily? Choose the right grooming tools and you can!
Yes, you can brush your German Shepherd daily to help decrease shedding and keep their skin healthy. Daily brushing of your GSD improves air circulation through their undercoat and a proper brushing routine keeps shedding to a minimum when done regularly. If you brush daily, ensure you only use light pressure and gentle strokes, preferably with a rake brush that is coated in Teflon to glide effortlessly through your German Shepherds fur. In addition, you can brush daily with a grooming glove that has soft rubber nubs that easily remove dead fur and is gentle enough for puppies.
A list of the best brushes for your German Shepherd that are gentle is found below.
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Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
German Shepherds dog can be very gentle companions and protectors of the family with proper training and socialization. It is an ideal breed for active families. This breeds intelligence and protective behavior can make it a good choice for families with children as long as the GSD is trained correctly.
Can You Walk A German Shepherd Without A Leash
With that said, YES, you CAN train your GSD to walk at HEEL without a leash I train dogs on a regular basis to walk at a close HEEL off leash as part of Advanced Obedience Training. The Reality The only 100% reliable control you will ever have over your dog is thru a leash and a collar. Period.
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If You Do Bathe Your German Shepherd Make Sure You Use The Correctshampoo
As a word of warning, if you do plan on bathing your german shepherd, you need to make sure youre using the right shampoo.
The pH of your skin is around 5, so its slightly acidic. The pH of your dogs skin is 7 which makes it neutral. Shampoos and soaps that are made for people take the pH of their skin into account, so theyre definitely not designed for dogs.
If you do use human shampoos and soaps on a german shepherd, then it could result in them suffering from dry skin and other irritations like hives.
And it can be even worse if they ingest human soap. When this happens its likely to result in vomiting, drooling and nausea which isnt pleasant for your pup.
Lastly, if you buy tear-free shampoo for your german shepherd, you should still make sure you dont get it in their eyes. If they get shampoo in their eyes it can still cause discomfort.
Why Do Dogs Love Milk
Well, dogs develop allergies to foods on a case by case basis. An offshoot of this very same theory tries to explain milk as a basic need and want thats bred into canine DNA. They posit that because early dogs instinctively nurse, they must develop a taste for milk that stays with them throughout their adult lives.
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Is It Safe To Use Human Shampoo On Puppies
Dog skin is very different from human skin, and your shampoo can dry out dogs skin and cause major problems over time, making them more susceptible to parasites and stripping away the natural protective oils. Human shampoos, therefore, are definitely not recommended as a suitable and safe alternative for your dog.
Start Brushing With The Undercoat Rake From The Back And Hindquarters
Starting from the back of your GSD helps anxious dogs to remain calm. Go over the body areas a few times with longer, lighter strokes.
Brush through the feathers on the back of his legs, the thick coat around his neck , and on his back legs and the long hairs of his tail.
Did you know that most of your German Shepherds shedding when they blow their coats come from the undercoat of their fur?
So, you want to remove as much loose fur and dirt as possible with the undercoat rake brush during the seasons they blow their coats. Doing this first step is paramount to grooming your German Shepherd and keeping their fur and skin healthy.
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