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How To Control German Shepherd

German Shepherd Hair Loss And Baths

Reactive German Shepherd- How to train reactive aggressive German Shepherd

Be sure to brush your dog thoroughly before bathing them to remove any loose hair, dirt, and make the application of the hair fall shampoo easier. After bathing your dog, towel-dry him to remove excess water. A damp coat is a breeding ground for bacteria on the skin which can increase hair loss!

As your dogs coat dries, brush your dog to help eliminate the loose hair as they dry. Keep brushing and wiping them with the towel until they are no longer damp.

German Shepherd Hair Fall Shampoo And Conditioner

Many GSDs need conditioner to prevent dry, itchy skin and further hair loss. If your dog needs conditioner but you want to save time, try Natures Miracle Shed Control Shampoo and Conditioner for ease of use.

The soap-free formula is safe to use with spot-on flea and tick products. It also contains no dyes or parabens for dogs with sensitive skin, while helping to maintain normal shedding and reducing doggie odor.

Hair fall shampoos and conditioners for your German Shepherd are formulated with ingredients that treat their skin gently, wash away loose fur, and help new hair growing in remain stronger so theres less hair loss.

Or, maybe youre looking for another shampoo for your companion?

Dont miss reading The 10 Best Shampoo for German Shepherds

Does Your German Shepherd Act Out On Purpose

Your German Shepherd isnt acting out to make you mad.

German Shepherds do not act out on purpose to make you mad or spite you. While some people may tell you there are times when your dog consciously or subconsciously acts out on purpose with their poor behavior, this is untrue. This idea can lead to the wrong type of discipline or incorrect punishment and break your good communication with your dog.

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Is There A Permanent German Shepherd Shedding Solution

While theres no permanent German Shepherd shedding solution there are tips to decrease hair fall.

No, unfortunately, theres not a permanent shedding solution for your German Shepherd since they lose hair every day, all year round. However, many of the shedding solutions listed give you the steps you need to understand how to stop German Shepherd hair fall in huge amounts.

Weather, season, your dogs health, and even your home environment play a significant role in how much your dog sheds, but these tips provide a German Shepherd shedding solution that decreases hair loss.

Take Them Out For A Walk Or Any Exercise

The very first bulldogs are explained to be large and effective enough ...

You probably already know this beforehand but, German Shepherds are very active.

If German Shepherds were humans, Michael Jordan would be in trouble.

I mean they have high stamina, they have size, and they are agile.

This is why German Shepherd dogs need to utilize all these.

Walks and other exercise-related activities are an excellent way to release all their energy.

If you also live an active lifestyle or are an athlete, you can bring them with you during your workouts.

Running is one common exercise you can do with your pooch beside you.

Well, maybe theyd even outrun you!

Thats great. But, for how long should I walk or exercise with them?

A good estimate would be to exercise your pooch for around 2 hours.

This doesnt mean you stick to one activity.

Nor does it also mean you need to do this continually.

You can walk, run, play fetch, socialize with other dogs in the park, etc.

Its a good workout for you, too!

Also Check: When Can German Shepherds Breed

Commit To Basic Commands

Even if you dont intend to do upper-level training, join obedience competitions, or participate in Schutzhund, you should commit to mastering at least the basic commands of sit, down, stay, and come.

German Shepherds belong to the first tier of working dogs in the Dog Intelligence Ranking. Dogs in this group can obey commands at least 95% of the time.

This is the standard you should strive for when it comes to these basic obedience commands as these will help you handle your dog in many real-life situations.

Trustworthy Leader Vs Being The Alpha

You dont need to dominate your dog to be an effective leader.

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and very receptive to training. But they can also seem stubborn or assertive as they grow into adolescents.

While some people will tell you to establish yourself as the alpha this is far from what the facts of science tell you to do!

Do NOT think you need to show your German Shepherd youre boss by dominating him.

Its a fact that

If youre aggressive, your dog will be too.

In a year-long study of dog owners who used confrontation or aversive methods to train their aggressive pets, veterinary researchers found that most of these animals continued to be aggressive

Unless their training techniques changed.

Alpha Theory doesnt work for German Shepherds.

What does work, then?

Developing a strong bond, being consistent, and maintaining reachable expectations.

Heres how you can learn to control a German Shepherd the right way without being the alpha and ruining your relationship.

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Dont Have Unreasonable Expectations

Videos of extremely disciplined German Shepherds on social media might give you unreasonable expectations of how your puppy should act.

What you dont see, however, is the amount of time and effort people put into training those dogs. In fact, most will still experience some frustration. They just dont post it.

No dog is inherently well-mannered all the time. The owners of the social media dogs you see have also gone through the hardships and frustrations youre going through now.

Ignore The Unnecessary Barking

Aggressive German Shepherd Training- Breaking through fear aggression- Titan Ep-1

German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less.

Ignore your dogs barking until theyre quiet for 15 to 30 seconds if they are still a puppy. This means you dont give them any attention at all while theyre still barking.

Dont talk to him, touch him, or even look at him. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise.

To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning . If you yell at them to be quiet, they may learn they still get attention for you, even if its negative attention. Next time theyll bark for even longer because theyve learned that if they bark long enough, youll give him attention.

If they continue barking and whining despite your inattention, figure out why theyre barking and either remove the item , or place them in another area that is quieter .

For example:

Puppies bark for a number of reasons. One of the hardest parts of German Shepherd training is knowing whats natural and normal and whats a problem behavior.

But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect.

Read Also: How Much To Feed 3 Month Old German Shepherd

Tips For Great German Shepherd Puppy Recall Training:

  • Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can.
  • Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come.
  • Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors.
  • Next, move to your back or front yard and do the same.
  • If they dont come when called they might be too distracted. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you.

Dont delay training the recall or youll miss out on a crucial learning period. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on.

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Use this German Shepherd training checklist for a quick reference to help!

How To Train A German Shepherd Puppy The Right Way For Fast Results

At 8 to 12-weeks old your puppy is just a baby that isnt mature enough to know they are misbehaving.

You might think your German Shepherd puppy behavior at 8 to 12 weeks is on purpose or because theyre being bad. But in reality, a 12 week old German Shepherd still doesnt have the maturity to fully understand their bad behavior.

While you can redirect their attention to wanted behaviors or away from their undesired actions, its best to not harshly discipline a pup while theyre this young.

They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections.

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German Shepherd Puppy Coats

German Shepherds puppies are born a giant fluff ball. Their coats are large and full to protect the vulnerable puppy from outside dangers and to keep them warm as they grow up.

German Shepherds will reach their full size at around 12-24 months old, depending on each dog, but their maximum growth will not be completed until about three years old. That means you wont have to deal with too much fur until they approach closer to two or three years in age.

Though German Shepherds are not fully grown until around the two-year mark, they will lose their puppy fur well before that. For younger German Shepherds, this losing of the fur occurs around the four-to-six month range.

The shedding process for puppies happens similarly to the undercoat blowing of a full-grown adult. It takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks for their fur to shed entirely. Unlike the blowing of adults, though, the puppy fur can come off in larger chunks, and it may happen in stages.

As the German Shepherd grows, the amount of hair that the young pup will shed will increase.

Like with adult German Shepherds, brushing a puppys coat can help reduce the amount of hair that comes off on its own.If you can brush their fur two to three times a week, that can significantly reduce the amount of fur left behind.

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Give A Positive Interruption Cue To Stop The Behavior

German Shepherd Shedding

Dont scare your puppy to interrupt them. Simply use an interesting sound or words to get their attention off the bad behavior.

The first step when your German Shepherd is behaving badly is to use a positive interruption. What this means is that youll make a noise that gets their attention to look at you, but not a noise that scares them.

I suggest using the words pop, pop or tick, tick said in an upbeat tone. These words are very neutral and can be said quickly to gain your puppys attention.

You may choose to use a different word as your positive interruption cue, but if your dog looks scared then either say the word more upbeat or choose another word. Youre not trying to scare your dog to stop the behavior because thats how youll ruin your bond and cause them anxiety.

Instead, you need to get their attention quickly so they stop the bad behavior.

Now, move on to the next step in the discipline process.

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Training A German Shepherd Doesnt Happen Overnight

Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. Create more consistency for them and youll see fewer German Shepherd puppy problem behaviors.

To do this, stick with your training. Dont confuse your dog by having different rules for different days or times.

Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Dont give up when your pup doesnt understand what you want the first few times. Persevere with your training and discipline.

Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them.

If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. Its OK and your dog will still learn by having an owner who is more relaxed and calm than one who is stressed and frustrated.

In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs.

If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. You can read more about the best puzzle toys for your German Shepherd and find a few you like so that you and your dog dont get burned out on training.

German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time.

Maintain An Optimal Diet

Are you feeding your dog food specifically made for their skin health?

Providing a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce excessive shedding. Lower quality dog food is largely composed of ingredients that German Shepherds have a hard time digesting, like wheat,s soy, or corn.

GSDs are also prone to dry skin and allergies, some of which are linked to a lack of a balanced diet. A balanced diet builds a strong immune system in your dog and a healthy immune system is able to better fight diseases and maintain skin health.

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How Much Do German Shepherds Shed

  • On a scale from 1 to 10, German Shepherd shedding will rank a solid 9. Meaning total fur domination.

Youll be sweeping and vacuuming at least twice a week, lint rolling your clothes everyday, and finding tumble-weeds of hair blowing through your home like the old west.

Thankfully, Ive dealt with my fair share of shedding , so I have a few tips to help you get control of your home again.

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Benefits Of Obedience Training

LEASH AGGRESSIVE GERMAN SHEPHERD NEEDS HELP BAD!

Most German Shepherds will take to their new family quickly.

As with all dogs, they will be curious and a little apprehensive being parted from their litter and mother for the first time. But they are a breed characterized by adaptability.

Any trainer will be glad to tell you that their receptiveness and natural curiosity makes them a delight to train.

And unless you are very unlucky or, more likely, just making mistakes, they will usually take to obedience training faster than most breeds.

The advantage of an obedient German Shepherd is that they can make for an outstanding family dog.

While famed for their defensive and protective qualities, they will socialize well into a receptive family who keeps them busy and reminds them when needed exactly who the boss is.

You need to get into the habit of using vocal instruction and hand instructions early and constantly reinforce lessons throughout the day. Because a bored German Shepherd will be far more likely to become a disruptive handful.

Positive & Negative Reinforcement Is Crucial

Knowing when to praise and tell off any dog is one thing any owner should invest time in learning.

Arguably, of all the breeds out there, German Shepherds rely on this far more than most.

Reinforcement is an essential tool for communicating with your dog. The idea is that they will grow to understand when they are being rewarded and for what reason.

But how do we punish bad behavior effectively?

So how do you go about achieving this?

Also Check: How Intelligent Is A German Shepherd

Should I Be Worried Whenever My Dog Is Being Hyper

You dont have to worry about your dog being hyper. This type of behavior in working dogs like German Shepherds is common.

They can be tiring at times and time-consuming, but the amount of love and loyalty you can get from this breed of dogs is immense.

However, if their behavior is still persistent after using the techniques listed here, you may want to consult your vet.

Dogs can also suffer from mental illnesses and other issues that cause hyperactivity.

However, as long as their behavior isnt negatively affecting your day-to-day in a major way, you have nothing to worry about.

Combine Fish Oil Into Their Daily Diet

If your dog is lacking in fatty acids, then adding fish oil may help be a simple solution to reduce their shedding.

Fish oil contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which significantly decreases hair shedding. Fish oil also contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA that help promote skin and coat health.

Given daily fish oils can help aid in excessive shedding. Look for a natural supplement that also contains other proven skin-healthy oils, like flaxseed oil.

Zesty Paws contains both salmon and hemp seed oil and is great for a healthy coat. Moreover, a blend of wild Alaskan salmon and refined virgin hemp seed oils work together to pack a powerful punch of nutrients and omega fatty acids. These ingredients may improve coat health, joint mobility, heart health, stress levels, and immunity.

A strong coat starts with supple skin that prevents excessive hair loss and protects your GSD from irritations. If youre seeing excessive hair loss try the blend of fish and hemp oil.

Keep in mind that positive effects take a few months to notice. So stay consistent with daily use for the best results.

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Bathe Your German Shepherd Sparingly

Youll hear a lot about bathing a dog to reduce shedding. However, this is not often recommended for the German Shepherd.

A dogs skin is not made to be bathed much. Even if youre using a gentle shampoo, too much bathing can quickly cause the skin to dry out. You cant lotion a dogs skin, after all.

Dry, itchy skin will likely lead to more shedding. But this increased shedding will often be the least of your problems. If your dog itches their skin too much, they may cause sores to develop. Secondary infections can be contracted and may require veterinary attention.

We do not recommend bathing your dog weekly or even monthly in most cases. You should only bathe your dog when they are truly dirty, such as after rolling around in the mud.

For the most part, a regular grooming session will pull much of the excess dirt and dust from their fur.

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