Use The Following Steps To Increase Your Dogs Attentiveness
STEP 1 Pick a toy that is only used for this special training game so they focus on your cues more easily. Some toys that your dog may love are toys that squeak, crinkle, make noises of other kinds, or smells interesting.
STEP 2 Now, act energetically by jumping up and down, making unique noises, or slapping your hand against your leg. Your German Shepherd is much more likely to pay attention to you if youre energetic and excited.
STEP 3 As your dog looks to you, begin to run away. German Shepherds have a high prey drive and love to chase. So, running in the opposite direction convinces your GSD to chase after you, especially if you have their favorite toy in your hand.
STEP 4 Now, reward your dog with their special toy when they catch up to you. Toss their toy for them and enjoy a bit of playtime with them. Keep the energy upbeat and positive. The playtime with the toy is the reward instead of a food treat and encourages your dog to stay near you.
STEP 5 Continue to play the catch-reward-play game throughout the day. Your German Shepherd will begin to form the habit of paying attention to you when you are consistent in your training and in your rewards.
STEP 6 Eventually, move on to using a cue word to get your dogs attention, such as in the focus or capture methods.
Who Is The Best Human For A German Shepherd
German shepherds love being a part of a high-energy family or with someone who leads an active life. A sedentary lifestyle doesnt work for this herding breed, as they love to learn, play, and be a part of their human pack! German shepherd puppies can get distracted easily. Even though they love children and family life, while training, its best to have them focus only on the task theyre learning so as to avoid sensory overload.
German shepherds are a tried and true family dog. They love swimming , running, and romping in a big backyard. Theyre highly social and friendly dogs, so a busy household works well for them. They also need plenty of affection and snuggles. Due to their hunting heritage, they love to play fetch!
What Do German Shepherds Ear Positions Mean
Seeing the changing positions of your German Shepherds ears could have prompted you to ask yourself questions like, is my dog trying to communicate anything? What does it mean when a German Shepherds ears are down? or Is my dog okay?
Just like how body language can tell you what is going through a persons mind, the position of your German Shepherds ears can tell you what is going through your poochs mind. Here are some GSD ear positions and what they mean.
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German Shepherds Can Be Sensitive
What you feed your German Shepherd is very important. Dont settle for cheap dog food and dont feed him your food. Anything that his body doesnt like will show up on his skin, fur, gums, poop, etc.
Get him premium food that he likes to eat. More expensive food is still a lot cheaper than vet treatments.
What Is A Service Dog Vest And How Do I Get One
A certified service dog has gone through proper training and can, therefore, wear a vest that identifies them as such. This vest allows them to have access to nearly anywhere their human can go, even places like restaurants or plain cabin where animals are not normally allowed.
However, some people, who dont own a service dog, want to take their pet dog with them everywhere, too. So, they purchase a service dog vest for them and take them wherever they want. This is illegal and can cause some huge problems.
First and foremost, a dog that is not legitimately trained as a service dog could be a danger to other people or animals. Secondly, when a fake service dog misbehaves badly, it can cause store owners to ban all animals from their businesses, including legitimate service dogs.
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What Causes A German Shepherd Dog To Be So Energetic
If you have never owned a German Shepherd or any working dog breed before now, you may legitimately be unaware of just how different a working dogs temperament can be from a traditional pet dog breed.
This German Shepherd owner forum clearly highlights just how surprised some new, first-time GSD owners can be when their puppy keeps on growing up and the energy level stays at puppyhood level!
As the American Kennel Club points out, German Shepherds come from the herding group of working dog breeds.
Herding dog breeds are accustomed to putting forth high energy output often for many hours at a stretch. Their job duties include keeping a herd of livestock together and accounted for and defending the herd against predators.
German Shepherds have such intense energy drives precisely because herding isnt a job that can wait for any length of time for a nap or snack break. The dog always needs to be on high alert against stragglers or predators.
While it is true that an older GSD may experience a natural slowdown due to advancing age, right from puppyhood you can expect your German Shepherd to exhibit the characteristic intense focus and drive to work that this breed is known for.
Other Methods In Making Your Dogs Ear Stand Up
Although many German Shepherd owners use taping to correct their dogs ears, there are many less invasive, but highly effective methods that you should try first. Lets take a look:
Chew Toys
Chewing on safe puppy chew toys is the easiest way you can help your dogs ears to stand up. Not only will chewing help with teething, but it will also help your dog to exercise his jaw, head, and neck muscles, thus making them strong enough to hold the weight of his ears.
Supplements
Many owners believe that supplementing their German Shepherds diet with calcium will help their ears to stand up. However, your dogs ears are made from cartilage, not bone, and calcium doesnt have any effect on the development of the cartilage.
If you want to supplement your pups diet, its much safer to supplement it with Glucosamine which lubricates the joints and supports healthy cartilage. As always, you should first talk with your vet to see if your German Shepherd puppy can benefit from using supplements.
Diet
Feeding your puppy with high-quality dog food is essential for his overall well-being and proper development. Make sure that you are feeding your pup with the highest quality food you can afford, and steer clear from brands that use fillers such as wheat, corn, or soy.
Check For Parasites
So, do routine fecal tests and keep up with deworming treatments to keep intestinal parasites at bay. Furthermore, get your dog tested for heartworms and talk with your vet about a preventative care plan.
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How To Get A German Shepherd To Stop Barking
The barking of our German Shepherd or any other breed of dog can become a problem for a variety of reasons.
But as dog owners it would be unreasonable to expect that our dogs never bark.;Dogs are made to bark, it is an essential method of communication that dogs cannot do without.
The question is to get excessive barking under control and what we can avoid so as not to cause discomfort and at the same time not to disturb the normal behavior of our German Shepherd.
Before we can work on how to get a German Shepherd to stop barking, we must know and understand the reasons why dogs bark.
Contents
S I Used To Alter Charley’s Excessive Barking
- Get your dog excited. Throw his toy, jump up and down or make barking noises. The point here is to get him over-the-top excited!
- Once your dog is barking open and close your hand as shown in the pictures this is your hand signal. Do this while saying the word speak’.
Teach speak’ with hand signals and curb German Shepherd barking
German Shepherd Barking: Use Hand Signals to teach your dog to speak
Note: This is one of the few times giving a hand signal and a voice command from the start is a good idea.
Your German Shepherd will soon make the connection. You can learn more about .
Note: If it takes a while just be patient and persistent. Some dogs are shy when it comes to barking at their owners.
Once your dog gets it’, the next step is not to reward for more than one bark at a time. Mark and reward are important to show him you only want one bark.
Once your dog fully understands the speak command’ it’s time to teach the opposite cue, quiet’.
- Follow the same steps by getting your dog excited and revved up. This will make him bark.
- Once your dog is barking put your open hand just in front of his nose. Now say the word quiet’ in a firm but kind voice.
- The second your dog stops barking mark and reward his behavior.
Your German Shepherd will soon have the a-ha moment’. He’ll quickly make the connection that quiet’ and your hand signal means stop barking’.
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Your Dog Wants You To Be Consistent
For dogs, everything is black and white they dont understand compromise. Remember this and you’ll have fewer bad habits to break.
Training your German Shepherd will be easier.
Heres an example of the types of mistakes owners make:
Change verbal commands from come to come here keep your verbal commands consistent throughout.
If youre trying to keep your pooch off the sofa, be consistent. If you allow it sometimes and other times not, youll confuse your dog and slow down the training.
How can you expect your dog to learn if you’re not consistent?
German Shepherds Chew Like Beavers
This GSD owner has given their puppy the right thing to chew, a toy instead of their owners fingers and feet!
Sadly, it is often the dog that owners blame or punish when their dogs behavior is inappropriate.
Biting and chewing are natural instincts for dogs and puppies.;
These actions provide them with opportunities to investigate the different amounts of pressure to use in relation to the purpose of their biting.
Puppies run into trouble generally because the owner has unintentionally triggered unwanted responses, perhaps by playing rough with their hands or letting their dogs chew their fingers because it was cute . Your job as their new owner is to help your pup understand and educate them on what is appropriate to bite, nip, and chew.
Use these tips to stop a puppy from biting and nipping you:
- When they bite too hard or at all say ouch or anything you usually say when you get hurt. This teaches them your signal and cue.
- This also lets your biting puppy know theyve used too much pressure and should let go or ease up on their bite.
- They should let go or look a bit startled.
- Follow their release with praise or a tasty treat when your dog stops the unwanted behavior.
- Do NOT physically punish your dog! Instead, redirect them to a proper chew toy.
Sometimes puppys teethe and their gums are sore and need something to chew. Other times adult German Shepherds have a desire and natural urge to bite for relaxation and to reduce anxiety.;
Instead of your hands and fingers!
Read Also: What Do German Shepherds Usually Die From
How To Deal With Your German Shepherds Floppy Ears
Whats the bottom line?
If its been over eight months and your German shepherds ears still arent standing upright at all, then this is an indication that there might be some kind of problem.
At this point, you can start taking steps to fix their ears if you want.
However, unless your German shepherds floppy ears are being caused by some sort of serious medical issue, you dont have an obligation to try and fix them.
Floppy ears on their own dont cause your German shepherd to suffer at all, nor do they cause any sort of hearing issues.
If you just want your German shepherds ears to stand up for aesthetic reasons, there are a few things you can do to help this happen.
How To Teach A German Shepherd To Sit:
You can phase out your spacing of the reward so youre not rewarding for every sit, just occasionally.
Work on having your German Shepherd sit in different areas of your home, then move to an area with more distractions, such as your backyard.
Finally, while they are on their lead, practice in even more distracting areas that dont stress them and while they are safe.
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Your Dog Does Not Communicate Like A Human
Your German Shepherd will respond to many different stimuli. Your body language and tone of voice being the two most important.
In time, your dog will understand certain commands such as sit, stay and come, drop etc.
But, dogs only understand single direct commands. Use language your dog will understand. Calm, simple commands and body language will make your message crystal clear.
Take Them On Purposeful Walks Daily
A lot of people may read this post and think what the heck is a purposeful walk? Well, German shepherds need stimulation and they need a job. It helps them fulfill an instinct inside of them.
When German shepherds act out it is because they have to much energy and they are not being stimulated intellectually and physically. That brings us to purposeful walks.
Purposeful walks are when you make your walk with your German shepherd a job instead of making it for fun.
So, what does this look like? Well, for starters making your dog sit and be still before you put their leash on is the first step. The second step is to put on them a weighted vest.
These vests come on all shapes and sizes and it doesnt matter which one you pick as long as it will fit comfortably on your dog. What the weighted vest does is signal to your German shepherds brain that it is time to work and not play.
Your German shepherd will then apply more energy, focus, and determination to the task which helps them fulfill some of their natural urges to work and to use up their energy.
While you are actually on the walk you should make sure that your German shepherd is walking with their head upright, that they are staying right next to you , and that they are focused.
That means that you as the owner need to be calm and focused as well. Help them to keep their head up and to not go around sniffing everything that is around them.
Also Check: How To Put Weight On My German Shepherd
German Shepherds And Other Pets
To help them be calm and patient, it’s best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. If youre having issues with your German Shepherd around other pets, the best thing to do is get advice from a trainer or behaviourist.
German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. If they havent grown up with a cat or other smaller pets, though, they may have the urge to chase them so any introductions later in life should be done very carefully.
People Will Be Scared Of Your German Shepherd
When hes a puppy everybody will gather up to pet and spoil him. Later on, when he weighs 40 kilos, they may cross the road on the other sidewalk when they see you walk your dog. For you he is still the most adorable and loving pup, but for others he can be the most dangerous beast, especially for children.
Be nice and no matter what the local law says, keep your German Shepherd on the leash when you go outside. Even though it doesnt look as cool, keeping your big dog on a leash can prevent:
- Any incident involving children
- Any situation in which your dog runs away and doesnt respond to your calling.
Read Also: How To Take Care Of A German Shepherd Puppy
Is It Bad If A German Shepherd`s Ears Dont Stand Up
When it comes to some canines, the entire process might take longer. Each and every German Shepherd pup, even if we are talking about pups from the very same litter, will evolve in a different manner. Some canines out there might take up to 7 months.
If a German Shepherd`s ears don`t go up until they are 8 or 9 months of age, they`ll probably remain down. This is because this is when the ears of most dogs of this breed take permanent shape.
Note: About 75% of the German Shepherd canines have their ears going up in the first 3 to 10 months!