Activities German Shepherds Love
Try playing a variety of games with your dog, or feel free to take him with you on fun outings for activities like:
- Hiking German Shepherds love spending time on the trail and will happily trot alongside you while you take in the fresh air.
- Running German Shepherds are very capable runners and are fast enough to outrun even the most well-trained sprinter. Take your dog along for a run, and they will prove themselves as the perfect running partner.
- Fetch Playing fetch with a ball, toy or your sisters shoes is a fun way to add some cardio to your pups day, even when you dont have the energy to run around with them. Find your dogs favorite itemand the rest is simple! You throw the ball, they catch it, bring it back, rinse and repeat!
- Nose work games Sharpen your dogs senses and flex their mental abilities by treating them to some nose work games. They will love using one of their most powerful senses to problem solve and will be even happier after receiving their reward! Nose work is as simple to set up as putting a favorite food of theirs in a box or container, creating a scent trail for them to follow, and then hiding their treat!
They Like To Play And Roughhouse With You
German Shepherds have a bit of a reputation as no-nonsense, hard-working, and sometimes even aggressive dogs, and its a reputation that has some root in truth. These dogs are used for a litany of canine jobs, after all, ranging from police and military work to search and rescue or even therapy work.
But despite their generally calm dispositions and exceptional work ethic, German Shepherds can be extremely playful pups, particularly with their favorite people!
If you find that your GSD is always wanting to play with you and even roughhouse, its because they love you!
Watch how two dogs that love each other play together. They always get rough and rambunctious!
When your GSD tries to play with you in a similar manner, its a sign that they accept you as a packmate.
For dogs, playing is a vital form of bonding, and playing with your GSD in such a way will help to continually improve the bond between you.
Dangers Of Having A One Person Dog
There are possible dangers that come with having a one-person dog. A German Shepherd, for instance, as a generally loyal and protective breed, may end up overprotecting their favorite person.
This can be problematic as a German Shepherd can become aggressive due to its protective nature.
So, what can you do about it?
Well, this just further highlights the importance of socialization. Not only does it help introduce your German Shepherd to other people, but it also serves as an introduction to different interactions including physical contact that may look possibly threatening . With it, your German Shepherd would be able to read the room and respond accordingly.
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Putting Your Thumb Under Your Puppys Tongue
Yeah, I know where is the logic in that? I mean youre basically setting your thumb up to be bitten and at the same time encouraging biting.
But you wont believe how many folks have emailed me desperate to stop biting and detailing this method as something they have done frequently.
Im not even sure what the idea behind this silly method is, so suffice to say please dont do this!
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How To Train Your German Shepherd To Come When Called
All dogs enjoy and need a run off-lead in a safe place at least a few times a week and preferably once a day to help them stay happy.
Letting your dog off-leash to run and sniff on their own keeps them fit and helps get rid of some of their excess energy that might otherwise be used for making mischief.
But remember, its your legal responsibility to make sure your dog is under control at all times in public places. So, being able to get your dog to come back to you when called is extremely important. If you want the most reliable recall for your German Shepherd, then youll need to follow all of the following steps to make sure your dog understands what come means every time.
Each step reinforces the recall command so your chances of having your German Shepherd return to you when called increase greatly if you follow all of the steps in order.
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Hearing Facts Of German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a breed of working dog that originated in Germany in the late 19th century.
German Shepherds are large, athletic dogs with a strong herding instinct. They are intelligent and trainable, but they also have a strong will of their own.
German Shepherds are loyal and protective of their families, but they can also be aloof and suspicious of strangers.
They need firm training and socialization from an early age to prevent them from becoming aggressive. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs and are often used as police and military dogs.
1. German Shepherds were originally bred as herding dogs.
2. German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States.
3. German Shepherds are intelligent and trainable, but they also have a strong will of their own.
4. German Shepherds are loyal and protective of their families, but they can also be aloof and suspicious of strangers.
5. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs and are often used as police and military dogs.
Benefits To Taking Control Of The Relationship
The common idea here is to support having a trained dog by encouraging a relationship where you are the one calling the shots. The more your dog is in the habit of listening to you, the more often they wait for things that they want, and the more likely they are to obey when you really need them to listen.
In over 15 years of training dogs and their humans, I have found that doing things this way does not eliminate dogs communicating their needs, it just reduces the number of times they do it. In the long run they still tend to communicate with their owners, but try to take advantage of people less often.
Solving separation anxiety is the perfect example. Success comes by breaking the connection between your dog asking and you responding. The more often your dog accepts your rules and listens to you, the less they worry and the less anxiety they experience. Dogs that understand there are times they are seen, but not heard when you are home, have an easier time settling down when left alone.
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Leash Training Your German Shepherd
The size and power of this breed make it very important to properly leash train your dog. Leash training will be one of your first obedience lessons. It will teach him to listen to you and to respond to your movements, instead of trying to direct you on the lease. The right-sized leash is importantâit should be short enough to give you control, but long enough that it is not tight.
Use treats to reward good behavior. If he starts to pull, stop, and wait for him to stop pulling. Only start moving again when the leash is slack. If you let your dog pull you around, heâll learn early that this behavior is okay, and when he is 80 pounds of muscle, you might not be able to correct the behavior.
Youll Create A Better Bond With Your Dog
German Shepherds are known for their lifelong loyalty. When you befriend a Shepherd, you have a companion for life.
Proper dog training will help promote a deep bond between you and your dog that will last. Doing activities together is an important aspect of connecting with your pet. Obedience class or other training can be a learning experience for both of you and is a terrific way to get plenty of positive interaction.
Having a poorly behaved dog in any home can be stressful. Your dogs ability to practice self-discipline is important in creating an environment where she can thrive.
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Voice Commands For German Shepherd Training
Verbal, or voice, commands are audible messages that tell your dog to display a specific behavior when you command them.
Unlike hand signals, verbal directions work even when your dog isnt looking directly at you.
Verbal cues transmit a wealth of information to your GSD.
For example, tone and volume. Changing your tone and volume provides multiple channels through which your dog learns your intent.
When teaching your dog with verbal cues, you need to pay attention to how you deliver your intent or message to your dog.
Week 8 Training Your German Shepherd Puppy
Its the final week of our guide on how to train a german shepherd puppy two months already! Lets teach them some new tricks.
- All about Joggers and Cyclists and no they shouldnt be chasing them
- Generalising exercises and behaviours in different places
- Searching and using their nose
- Not to worry about nail trims
| Socialisation exercises to do this week | Training to do this week | Husbandry Tasks to do this week |
| Joggers and Cyclists | Nail trims |
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When Do German Shepherds Calm Down
So, what do you do if your German Shepherd is hyperactive during their puppy and adolescent stage? Weve got some tips to calm a German Shepherd down.
Get Your German Shepherds Full Attention
You must have your dogs full attention before hell learn anything. Pick a quiet place, with little or no distractions.
To begin with, your back yard is the best place since the smells are familiar and so also the surroundings.
If you were in a park for instance you have no control over the distractions. Like other dogs and their owners, the scent of other animals, children playing, or a Frisbee whizzing by.
Once both you and your dog are confident in the training, then you can step it up by moving it to a place with more distractions.
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From 9 Months To 24 Months
Dogs of different breeds and sizes mature at different ages, and while one year of age is commonly considered the end of puppyhood in general, a German Shepherd Dog may not reach an adult level of maturity before the age of two or three . So continuing to work on impulse control, improve obedience skills, and advance to training in more focused activities like tracking, scent work, protection work, agility, and herdingall of which are capabilities of this breedmust continue throughout this period and then be reinforced as your GSD reaches adulthood.
Keep in mind that this is a breed that thrives on constant and consistent work and training, and loves to have a jobor many jobs!to do. If you can provide your GSD with outlets for their intelligence and versatility, both you and your dog will reap the rewards.
Yasmine S. Ali, MD, is a cardiologist and writer based in Tennessee, where she lives with three Canine Good Citizens, including an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog.
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Dog Age Chart: How Old Is Your Dog In Human Years
Randa is a writer & former assoc. digital content editor at the American Kennel Club. Sheâs also mom to 1 Corgi & 2 orange cats.
Its common knowledge that one year of a dogs life is equal to seven human yearsor is it? If this is the way youve been calculating your dogs age, dont worry youre not alone. However, the truth is that this method isnt entirely accurate.
Historically, its very likely that the one dog year equals seven human years method was created to simply show that dogs age faster than humans. Today, scientists and researchers have developed a more precise method of calculating a dogs age to human years.
Lets dig in
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Distractions In The Environment
Distracting things in a new location can prevent your German Shepherd from listening to you. It is better to train in different locations until it is used to it. Expand your training locations to include places you will often go to. Over time, it will be easier for your dog to shake off the distractions.
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.
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My Dog Does Not Listen To Me Anymore
There are two reasons why your dog may not listen to you anymore. This includes how your dog interacts with you physically and past experiences drawn from their memory. If both of these are not positive or not consistent, your dog may not listen to you anymore.
Before you get frustrated when you issue a command, ask yourself if the dog is familiar with the context and has seen the command before.
Your dog may not be listening to you due to ineffective types of pressure being placed on the dog. This can come in the form of bribes with food, physical pain, or overly stressful scenarios. Placing those parameters on a dog will not form the type of bond that will create a disciplined and loyal bond.
Why Do German Shepherds Guard
The German Shepherds unmistakable guarding talents date back to the beginning of the breed. In 1889, Captain Max von Stephanitz attended a dog show in West Germany when a stern, powerful, and intelligent dog caught his attention. This dog later renamed Horand von Grafrath looked eerily similar to a wolf and thrived as a sheepherder. Von Stephanitz purchased the dog on the spot and began breeding the first-ever German Shepherd.
As the German Shepherds reach sprawled across Europe, sheepherders began taking note of the GSDs instincts. The dog had a knack for protecting livestock , remaining watchful, building firm bonds with owners, and learning commands quickly. These traits converted the reliable livestock protector into a loyal and successful K9 companion and home guard dog.
In other words, German Shepherds guard for two critical reasons:
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Heres How To Get Your German Shepherd To Listen To You Using The Smart Way
STEP 1 Gather 50 very small pieces of training treat at the beginning of each morning. Make sure they are healthy and broken into very tiny pieces since you have so many and keep them in your pocket or a treat bag.
STEP 2 Watch for times during the day when your dog is behaving appropriately. This means they are lying quietly, sitting calmly, playing alone with an approved toy, or otherwise being what you would call a good dog.
STEP 3 Dont give them any commands, as a SMART reward isnt about performing a command you ask. Its about catching when your dog is being good and they least expect a treat.
STEP 4 When you see the good behavior, mark it . This is the core of the program.
STEP 5 Continue to look for good behaviors you want your dog to repeat throughout the day. Work through the 50 tiny treats. Repeat for a week and see if your dogs attention and listening has improved.
Catch Your Dog Being Good And Reward Them Out Of The Blue
See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue!
Its easy to get caught up in scolding when your pup when they are getting into trouble, but rewarding him out of the blue for being good shows them theyre doing the right behaviors .
Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them.
Here are some ideas for opportunities to reward your dog:
- If theyre lying calming on their mat, give them a piece of a treat. But dont make a big deal of the situation or youll wind them back up.
- When theyre playing with the toys you want them to chew, drop a tiny bit of treat out of nowhere.
- If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them!
Discipling your German Shepherd isnt always about catching bad behaviors, but also about rewarding good things your dog does. Dogs like to do things that you reinforce, even if you dont think they worked for the reward its still part of training.
If you only worry about punishment and corrections, then youre missing out on the opportunities to reinforce positive behavior.
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