German Shepherd Puppy Training Socialization Tips:
- Never separate a puppy from his mother and littermates before the age of 7-8 weeks. During this time, mom teaches her puppies some important rules of the dog world like body language communication and they start to learn bite inhibition by plying with the other puppies.
- After you get your baby German Shepherd and visit the vet, start socialization RIGHT AWAY! Unfortunately many vets will tell you not to take your puppy out of the house until they have had all of their shots. This is old school thinking and can have extremely bad consequences that will become apparent only when your canine becomes an adult.
Without the full set of shots, your puppy is vulnerable to infectious diseases, however taking your pup to early socialization classes where all other dogs have also been immunized reduces the risk for becoming sick AND will make your German Shepherd a confident, well adjusted and friendlier dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior promotes early socialization, even before the full set of vaccines are given to the pup.
- Take socialization in your own hands. Spend the first 4 weeks holding parties at your home! What???? Yes, parties! Invite all your friends and family for Karaoke, sports watching, boardgames, etc. Ask them to bring their kids too! And always make sure socialization is about positive interactions. If any of the kids or adults make your puppy a little scared, simply remove the threat and let the puppy explore other things.
The Best Time To Train
When is the best time to leash train your GSD? Knowing that your GSD is a high energy dog, you should make sure to give it some exercise and some active playtime before you both go out for a walk.
The more excited your GSD is to walk the more likely leash pulling will happen. Before taking a walk you should spend around 10 minutes of leash training in the house to remind your dog of the rules.
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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Disciplining Your German Shepherd: The Donts
Weve already indicated that discipline does not imply punishment. Rather, it means reinforcing good behavior and deterring unbecoming behavior. In other words, you should not punish your German Shepherd.
Punishment here implies what not to do. Here are five donts when it comes to disciplining your German Shepherd:
A German Shepherd Puppys Body Needs Lots Of Growth And Development
Fun fact: GSD puppies grow 3 to 6 inches in the first month, 6 to 9 inches in the second month, 8 to 10 inches in the 3rd month and 10 to 12 inches in the 4th month.
Everything, ranging from the muscles, and the immune system, to its sensory nervous system to its brain, develops during sleep.
With such an astounding growth rate and development process, its no surprise that they sleep 70 percent of the day. And a lot of this growth occurs during nap time.
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Which Is More Likely To Bite German Shepherd Or Rottweiler
It is known that a poorly trained German Shepherd or Rottweiler can be prone to be involved in biting incidents. This is due to their natural aggression and guarding instincts. But what is the likelihood of these biting or bite attempts?
Rottweilers are more active and likely to be the aggressor in dog-on-dog aggression. In fact, Rottweiler dogs are notorious for such dog fights.
It is not advisable to walk them without a strong supportive leash. Likewise, a muzzle may be required depending on the laws in your area.
German Shepherds are more likely to initiate owner-directed aggression. This could stem from ill practices or a serious behavioral issue with the dog. Perhaps he was not trained properly or has been passed off to new owners.
Both dogs show strong aggression against strangers and trespassers on their property should beware!
German Shepherd Dog Breed Size
German Shepherds usually come in 65-90 pounds as males or 50-70 pounds as females. On average they are 24-26 inches tall when male and 22-24 inches tall when female.As an athletic dog possessing significant strength, it makes sense that German Shepherds are larger than average dogs.
German Shepherds are large dogs and as a result, have a reputation as intimidating animals. This reputation is one of the reasons German Shepherds enjoy steady employment as police dogs, guide dogs, and even dog sports stars! But, Despite their large size and utility as workers, German Shepherds are gentle giants who make great companions to those they love.
German Shepherds are one of the most iconic big dog breeds, and for most people, are one of the first breeds that come to mind when discussing large dog breeds. With their many useful qualities, it is not hard to figure out why!
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Children And Other Pets
Like most other dogs, this breed need training and socialization to be safe around young children and other pets. Expose your dog to family pets at a young age to build trust. Many Shepherds will become close friends to family dogs and cats alike.
Show your children how to treat a dog respectfully to ensure full safety. Discourage any ear pulling, teasing, or aggravating activity to be sure your German Shepherd remains calm around young children. With training, German Shepherds are excellent childhood companions and stout protectors of those they love.
Types Of Gsd Training
The owners that lack experience with GSDs often find themselves stuck between different training methods. There are several methods to train a GSD and for a variety of purposes. Going against the genetics of a GSD is not an easy task. It requires hard work, patience, consistency, and repetition. A GSD can be trained using the following techniques.
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What Are Common Health Issues Experienced By Panda German Shepherds
The top health concerns with Panda German Shepherds are hip and elbow dysplasia. This becomes more likely the older that a dog gets. In addition to this, these may be probable ailments as well:
- Bloat
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
- Allergies
Regular health check-ups for your Panda German Shepherd is key. This will allow your vet to identify any early warning signs and treat them accordingly. This can help to delay the onset or progress of various diseases.
Address Bad Behaviors Immediately
Puppies should be disciplined for things they shouldnt be doing. Not only is this undesirable in a pet but also could progress to even worse habits.
Ideally, youd have nipped unwanted behaviors in the bud before your dog gets big and strong enough to cause real damage.
Your dog might also increasingly try to challenge your leadership, so its important that you dont budge.
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Training Goal #: Crate Training
This is also a good time for crate training, which Adams recommends as well. GSD trainer and dog sports enthusiast Alexa Hagood, LVMT, agrees: Crate breaks, even when brief, can help the puppy become acclimated to going in the crate and having some alone time. She notes that this can help reduce the risk of a puppy developing separation anxiety, and recommends beginning with using the crate for feeding times , and at times when the owner needs to do daily chores.
German Shepherd Obedience Training
Your initial German Shepherd training should focus on basic obedience. Start with teaching her about her new home and routine, being gentle with people, and potty training.
Then move into training for safety, like crate training, leash training, and coming when you call.
An additional trained behavior I found useful with my own German Shepherd training includes the cue to leave it with respect to ignoring other animals, people, and items on the ground. Due to their high alertness, strong scenting talents, and protective nature, GSDs often need to be reassured when its time to be off-duty and relaxed.
Everything moving forward is a continuation of these training basics by adding distractions and practicing in lots of different places.
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If you would like help training the foundation skills of obedience using positive methods, take a look at Happy Puppy Site founder Pippas training courses.
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Can A German Shepherd Attack A Small Child
When these dogs slip their leashes or escape their compounds, they can attack. Although German shepherds should only be trained as guard dogs by experts, home obedience training for your puppy is vital for both the dog and the owners safety. As a safety precaution, never leave small children alone with even well-trained German shepherds.
Create Structure And Routine
Make sure youve got a routine for your German Shepherd so theyre less stressed.
Remember how I mentioned that German Shepherds love walking because its part of a routine?
German Shepherds love routines! And, theyre good for you, too!
Dogs like to know what to expect in their daily life with their family. Structure and routine help give them confidence because theyre predictable.
Your GSD appreciates doing things in the same order each morning and evening since they like to know what to expect. Following the same pattern is conforming to GSDs.
Ask yourself:
- Do you get up at the same time every day?
- Are their meals served during the same times?
- Do they expect their walks at a scheduled time?
GSDs are creatures of habit. Ensure your companion has a consistent, stable routine so they continue to have faith and respect you as their owner.
Keep in mind that the types of daily events that you take for granted all have to be learned when you bring your German Shepherd dog home.
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What Is Trick Training And Why Your Dog Needs It
After you have established engagement in training and your German Shepherd has the basics under the belt. You should consider stepping things up with trick training.
Trick training will boost your dogs confidence. It is also a great motivator and builds a strong bond between owner and dog.
Trick training will stimulate and challenge your German Shepherd. Remember, a German Shepherd has the capacity and intelligence to do just about any trick you can imagine.
Just check out this video:
Lets look at three of the most important obedience skills you should teach your German Shepherd straight off the bat:
Without these three skills, youll struggle to train your German Shepherd. Master these and the skys the limit
Nutrition & Healthy Food
The importance of a healthy diet is not specific to the German Shepherd, but due to its size and intelligence the downsides of feeding low-quality food might be more evident than in some other dog breeds. They need a precise balance of protein, carbs, fiber and more something you wont find in most grocery store dog food brands, which are usually packed with fillers and artificial ingredients. Such a diet will leave your dog at risk for infections, allergies, poor coat quality, and even early death, as they simply do not provide your pup with enough nutrients.
Do proper research before deciding on a food brand read the ingredients list, look for online dog food reviews, ask for recommendations at your local pet store and do a google search for accredited dog food comparison websites, to find the best product for your GSD.
Most of the protein content should come from meat, so always check that real meat and/or meat meal is listed among the first ingredients in the list of contents. This cannot be stretched enough, as you will quickly notice that low-quality brands list mostly grains and other fillers, such as corn, rather than any real source of nutrients.
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Would A German Shepherd Beat A Doberman
In a real fight the Doberman might be the winner, because Doberman is a very aggressive and powerful breed of dog that has the ability to fight against a German Shepherd. And a Doberman has stronger bite force of 245 PSI compared to German Shepherd with a bite force of 238 PSI. it may win a fight against the Doberman.
German Shepherd Dog Breed Organizations
Many more breed clubs have come into existence in times following the foundation of Captain Von Stephanitzs club! These organizations are made for Shepherd lovers to share their love of the breed. These clubs plan competitions, meet-ups, and other gatherings to bring the community of Shepherd owners closer together.
These organizations also develop the standards for the breed by cataloging their most identifiable and desirable traits. Some popular dog breed organizations for this breed include:
- The Kennel Club UK Kennel club group located in the United Kingdom
- American Kennel Club The largest, most popular parent club in the United States
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How To Train Your German Shepherd For Life
Getting a German Shepherd Dog is an exciting time in both of your lives!
Use brief training sessions and practice frequently. Dont overwhelm your dog with too much too soon!
End training with a command you know your pup will perform and reward them at the end. Include the 3 Ds of dog training for reliability.
Follow this German Shepherd training guide and youll see positive results in just a matter of weeks.
Keep up your training daily for quicker learning.
And
Always look for ways to bond with your German Shepherd through everyday training opportunities.
Dont Reward Negative Behavior In Remorse
The reason you should not reward negative behavior is obvious your dog will presume that is what you want to be done! As a dog owner with lots of love for your German Shepherd, you might be remorseful that you denied your pet a treat for not following your command and decide to give him three in compensation.
As much as I appreciate your great love for your German Shepherd, Im sorry to inform you that you just failed your trainers test!
If, as a dog owner, you realize that you cannot be firm with disciplining your pet, seek the help of a professional trainer immediately. You may also want to learn a few heart-hardening tips while you are at it, so you do not undo everything your dogs trainer achieves as soon as you are alone with your buddy.
To help you stay away from these donts, you may want to remind yourself that dogs are dogs, after all! And even though they learn what they should do through training, they might sometimes make mistakes and need understanding from the loving owner they look up to.
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German Shepherd Dog Rescue Groups
There are many ways to get a German Shepherd of your own! One of the best ways for those looking to do a good deed is to contact a dog rescue group! Dog rescue groups are non-profit organizations created to give stray dogs new loving homes. Some rescue groups dedicated to this breed:
What Is A German Shepherd
German Shepherds were bred to be companions as well as working dogs for humans. They originally came from Germany, where the breed was developed by Captain Max von Stephanitz back in 1899.
The breed was used heavily in WWI and WWII. After the wars, the dogs became very popular in the early 1900s. It was about this time that the AKC recognized the dogs as a specific breed. German Shepherds are still very popular today, too.
German Shepherds are known for being extremely loyal, courageous, confident dogs who can learn a wide range of commands for many types of work. And they will even put their lives before their loved ones. These dogs are that devoted.
Theyre also known for being very loving and gentle with their humans and other family pets. Plus, German Shepherds are also very good at guard their homes. However, these dogs must be properly trained and socialized to somewhat curb their protective, sometimes aggressive behavior. F=
German Shepherds have an average weight between 74-95 lbs and stand between 1.5 to 2ft high. They have an average life span of about 10-12 years.
When it comes to their coat, youll find most German Shepherd dogs have a medium-length coat, which is a double coat. The coat colors vary and include white. When it comes to grooming, German Shepherds may need to be brushed at least once a week however, they do shed quite a bit. So, more frequent brushing is recommended. Brushing several times a week is usually best.
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