Tip : Interact With Your German Shepherd Remotely Using Technology
For GSD owners who are comfortable with modern technology, consider remote interactive toys designed for owners and their pets. A variety of these toys exist today.
A lot of these toys allow for things like scheduling times to dispense treats, voice recordings, speaking to your dog live, video conferences with your GSD, and more.
Many offer live video feeds of your dog at home so you can check in to see how your GSD is doing during the day.
This type of technology wont be enough for a German Shepherd dealing with separation anxiety though, and it isnt a substitute for exercise or face time with you.
Despite this, it can add spice and variety to your dogs day when theyre home alone.
Can German Shepherds Live Outside
So, can German Shepherds live outside? While German Shepherds may sometimes prefer to sleep or spend time outside, its not good for them to live outside full-time.
German Shepherds are social animals and they need to spend time around people to be happy.
German Shepherds are dogs whose behavior is largely dependent on socialization and on their training, and keeping them inside or outside can have an impact on that.
Showering Them With Love
German Shepherds are known to be stoic in their personality and can seem aloof. But showering them with love and affection increases chemicals in their brains that makes German Shepherds happy!
These chemicals help them feel at ease, can improve their health, and can even relax them when theyre feeling tired or anxious.
You might know some of the typical ways to love a German Shepherd, but I bet you havent heard of some of the great ideas for getting a German Shepherd to love you that are found in this article:
Dont underestimate how happy your love and attention makes your German Shepherd!
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How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need
German Shepherd puppies wont need as much exercise as their adult companions. In fact, its important not to over exercise your puppy, as it could lead to joint and mobility issues in later life . This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia.
As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise for every month of their age.
These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner.
Your puppy will also get plenty of exercise from tearing around the house and playing, just make sure theyre getting enough sleep and be prepared to interrupt play for naptime if needed.
The easiest way to keep track of how much exercise your puppy is doing is by using a PitPat dog activity monitor. Its small and light so they wont notice it on their collar, and itll record all the activity they are up to in a day from playing with you to pottering in the garden.
Keep Your German Shepherd Cool In The Summer
If you want to keep your German Shepherd happy then you will need to find ways to keep your German Shepherd cool in the summer. German Shepherds are a double-coated dog so they can get quite warm when the temperature rises.
Groom it
The first thing that you can do is to groom it around once a week. By grooming it you will be able to remove any loose fur that it has which will help to keep it cool by allowing the air to penetrate its fur.
Dont shave it
You might think that shaving the fur off your German Shepherd would help to keep it cool but it will actually have the effect of making it hotter and you could give it heatstroke. This is because the skin is not supposed to be in direct contact with the suns rays and the fur is meant to help regulate its temperature.
Give it access to water and shade
When its hot outside its important to make sure that your German Shepherd has lots of access to water and shaded areas so that it is able to stay cool and to avoid the direct sunlight.
Teach it to swim
As mentioned earlier teaching your German Shepherd to swim is a good way to exercise it in the summer since it requires a lot of effort and the water will help to keep it cool.
Exercise in morning or evening
When its hot outside its important to avoid the sunlight as much as possible. This means that it would be better to give it exercise while it is still cool outside in the morning or when the sun has set in the evening.
Use air con
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Key Benefits Of Hemp Oil For Your German Shepherds Coat
- Hemp oil adds vital nutrients to your pets daily meal to support their skin, coat, hips, and joints.
- Added health benefits include heart and immune system support.
- This specialized mix is a holistic, dog-safe food additive for improving coats.
- An easy-to-use pump takes the hassle out of supplementing your dogs diet with valuable nutrients.
This mixture of hemp oil is manufactured in the USA inside of FDA-registered facilities to meet your high standards of purity and effectiveness you expect from a hemp oil supplement.
Daily use may also help to calm your GSD and decrease anxiety.
Find Out How To Keep Your German Shepherd Happy Healthy And Well
German Shepherd Handbook
German shepherd owners: this handbook is jam-packed with information just for you. Find out how to keep your German Shepherd happy, healthy, and well-behaved from the expert, Michael Tapscott. Michael goes over what makes German Shepherds unique from other dog breeds and teaches you secrets you wont learn from conventional trainers. Imagine having a dog who obeys your commands every time! You can with this easy-to-use handbook.
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Top 10 Claims For German Shepherds
Like all dogs, German Shepherds can get sick or injured unexpectedly. The top 10 accident and illness claims received by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance^ for this breed are:
- Allergies*
- Lamenesswhich could indicate hip or elbow dysplasia
- Arthritis
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage reimbursements are based on the invoice. Levels 1-4 reimbursements are based on usual and customary eligible costs. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.
The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , produced and administered by C& F Insurance Agency, Inc. , a Crum & Forster company. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCAs marks and is not a charitable contribution. C& F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A by AM Best Company 2020.
Buy A Jacket To Your German Shepherd
German Shepherd dogs have a good coat that protects them from the cold. But in freezing weather, sometimes it cant be sufficient.
I think it is appropriate to provide some extra insulation to your German shepherd Dog in freezing weather. It will reduce the chances of getting hypothermia.
A jacket will be beneficial if you are taking your German Shepherd to exercise or walk outside in winter.
Your German shepherd Dog will enjoy more the playing time outside with a warm coat.
A Good Jacket Or Coat Will Help To Reduce The Risk Of :
1 Hypothermia
2 Rapid breathing
Type of jackets:
Dog coats come in different designs and materials. Some are made to protect your German Shepherd from the cold and others to impress your friends.
This article is about protecting your German Shepherd In the cold weather so that I will suggest some winter coats.
Wool and fleece are the most common materials used in a dogs jacket.
Consider this:
Always choose a fabric that is easy to care.
Take the right size sweater or coat for your dog.
The coat should cover your GSDs stomach adequately and make sure his legs are free to walk.
Remember, A good coat will make your German Shepherds winter easy.
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Fun Activities For German Shepherds
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breeds health and wellness.
German Shepherds are happiest when kept busy.
With the understanding that this dog breed would need a lot of attention, play, and exercise, we adopted our first German Shepherd. Activities are crucial in order to keep them healthy and happy. This was our first time caring for a German Shepherd Dog, and we initially underestimated just how much activity she would need.
When she was a puppy, we started to notice that she would get antsy, anxious, and even destructive. This was intensely frustrating for my mother, who liked to keep a clean and orderly house. My mom started to despise our dog and her destructive behavior. Thats when we took Sultan to see a trainer. Wed been somewhat successful with our own training methodsshe could sit, stay, come, lay down, shake, fetch, and do just about anything else she was asked to do.
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Consider Putting Suncream On Their Nose
While this may not directly cool them down in hot weather, its something youre going to want to consider.
Your german shepherds nose is very sensitive to the sun and it can get burnt. In fact, just like us, german shepherds can also get skin cancer.
There are many different sun creams to choose from. If youre not sure then my personal recommendation is Epi-Pet.
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Keeping Your Dog Entertained
Depending on your German Shepherds energy level use this table to plan their entertainment.
This schedule is just a suggestion for your entertainment. You can use the ideas and follow the steps below to write your own schedule to reduce your German Shepherds boredom.
Below youll find the steps to follow if you prefer to make your own schedule.
Final Thoughts The Importance Of Nutrition
You now know what the best diet is for your German Shepherd. Theres certainly a lot to consider in this giant guide, but I hope Ive given you enough food for thought!
The best advice I could give you is
- Choose a type of food that suits your dogs life stage and your lifestyle
- Invest in the best quality dog food you can afford
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Provide Plenty Of Blankets
This may seem like a no-brainer, but its important. Keep plenty of blankets on hand for your German Shepherd during the winter, even if it means picking up a couple of new ones. Consider switching out blankets that they may use during the summer months for material that is more insulating in plush.
For example, while my dogs may only have a towel or sheet in their kennel during the summer, theyll usually get upgraded to a fluffy throw blanket during the winter to keep them extra warm.
Its important to remember that dogs kept in indoor kennels at night will get much warmer, much faster than dogs kept outdoors. If your dog sleeps in a kennel, make sure he has plenty of space to get away from blankets and beds, in case he gets too hot.
If your dog sleeps with you, or in his bed, this is less important as he will be able to move around freely and probably wont risk getting too hot.
Feeding The Right Amount
An overweight dog is not a happy nor a healthy dog, and while the downsides might not be noticed right away time is usually there to tell the tale. Excess weight puts stress on bones and joints increasing the risk of painful diseases such as arthritis, especially in large dogs that are already heavy to begin with. By keeping your German Shepherd thin and fit, you help him/her live a pain-free life, and you can achieve this by feeding the correct amount at each meal time.
When deciding how much to feed your dog, you need to take the dogs age, weight and energy level into consideration, and compare this to the feeding instructions on the back of the bag or can. Never go over or under the suggested quantities unless instructed by a veterinarian, or if you notice that your dog seems to gain- or lose weight, as these are indicators of the feeding amount needing an adjustment.
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Offer Their Meals In A Slow
Heres my German Shepherd about to eat from her slow-feeder bowl which she LOVES!
You work hard to provide the best you can for your dog, but they just gobble and wolf down their food without a care in the world.
Why not give them a slow-feeder bowl to regulate their eating and make meals last longer. Plus, slow feeders engage your dogs mind as they work their mouths and tongue around the raised edges and designs in the bowl.
If youre short on time, giving your German Shepherd their meals in a slow-feeding dish is another way to keep them entertained for longer and only takes you a couple of minutes to place in the dish.
These dishes are especially useful to keep a puppys eating habits under control and prevent them from taking too much food too quickly, which can:
- Cause stomach issues and gastric upset
- Increase the chance of bloat and regurgitation
- Contribute to canine obesity
The design of this interactive slow-feeder bowl encourages a longer eating time. With its swirled pattern your dog places their tongue along the groove tracks to move their kibble along until they reach a side where they can push their food into their mouths.
If your German Shepherd inhales their food and you wonder if theyre actually chewing the kibble, then a slow-feed will help extend their mealtime and keep them busier for longer.
Teach Your Dog A New Trick
Top up your German Shepherds day by teaching them a new trick.
Your smart dog needs to stay busy and loves to learn new tricks. While teaching tricks might seem unnecessary to you, theyre critical for keeping your dog entertained and spending quality time with them.
Think of them as simply an extension of their obedience training. And many tricks have other practical purposes.
More importantly, training your dog to perform tricks:
- Engages their minds
- Teaches them a new skill
- Helps prevent training burnout
- Can get them to learn to focus and concentrate
- Is fun and a great bonding activity
There are so many tricks that you could teach your German Shepherd to help keep them from becoming bored. Have you taught them to:
- Shake
- Spin
- Roll over
Have you heard that engaging your dog in 20 minutes of training is nearly equivalent to an hours walk in terms of stimulation?
One way to teach your dogs tricks is to enroll them in an online dog training program that includes not only their basic obedience but the steps to perform these fun cues with you.
Since I know youre probably busy , theres always the option to enroll in a positive, game-based training program that you can use to entertain your German Shepherd and keep them busy.
Try Brain Training for Dogs to keep you on track with your tricks and reduce boredom in your German Shepherd.
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Is Separation Anxiety A Problem In German Shepherds
As previously mentioned, the German Shepherd dog breed is one of the more sensitive breeds.
These dogs are so attuned to their people because theyve been bred to be this way!
This also means that GSDs are more prone to .
This is a condition where they become so anxious about being left alone that they act out in destructive and aggressive ways.
The bad news: your German Shepherd may develop this condition even if you do your best to create a welcoming and comfortable home environment.
The good news: you can train your smart, attentive GSD to not go into separation anxiety mode when you have to be away.
This video shows how easy it can be to help a GSD with separation anxiety feel calmer.
Dont hesitate to reach out to a local dog trainer if you need help in this area. Behavioral problems develop when these issues arent directly addressed.
This checklist from the All Shepherd German Shepherd Rescue Charity can help you figure out if what youre seeing in your dog is true separation anxiety.
Lets now go over some options for helping your dog cope during times of separation.
Social Meetings With Friends
Another way to help keep your German Shepherd happy is to let them enjoy meeting their other dog friends.
This breed enjoys having a pack to help control, so seek out dog groups where there are other sociable dogs for your German Shepherd to meet. Socializing with other dogs lets your German Shepherd release some of its pent-up energy.
If you have an anxious or over reactive dog work on their behavior issues before introducing them to new dogs and groups.
Knowing how to make a German Shepherd happy doesnt mean forcing them to meet other dogs when theyre not ready and prepared.
Quite the opposite!
It means introducing them in the appropriate ways with known dogs that are also good with other dogs. Having a social life outside of you and your family gives your German Shepherd the chance to keep their social skills up-to-date.
Playing with their doggies friends helps keep your German Shepherd happy and allows you the opportunity to meet others, too!
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