Grooming A German Shepherd Next Steps
Youve made a great start on grooming now were going to move on to more touchy areas. Pun intended.;
How to do it
TIPS
· ; If your puppy is over excited, choose a different time for this exercise youll end up overworked and unsuccessful yourself.
· ; We want our puppy to love being groomed, so use plenty of treats!
How To Play The Game:
Take the healthy treats and squeeze them between your hands so that their potent scent is transferred to you. Next, place the treats to the side and call your GSD, announcing Sherlock Bones or Treat Trail.
Place them on their leash or behind the dog gate temporarily so they cant follow you around. Ask them to sit and offer them one piece of the treats as temptation. Now, place the first few treats on the floor in easy-to-find spots nearby.
Do this while he watches since hes new to the game and might need a bit of help.
Place the treats about every 5 to 10 steps apart.
Choose a spot thats easy to find for some of the treats and sometimes place the treat behind a table leg or object. After hes successful in the game, make the trail harder and hide the treats in more difficult places.
Now, release your dog from behind the dog gate or let him off his leash and tell him to FIND.
This is one of the easiest games for German Shepherd puppies since you can make a straight trail right in front of them as they learn.
The Foundation Of Attachment To Your Gsd
Aim to become your German Shepherds secure base.
Proximity maintenance, also known as proximity seeking, is a biological drive for your dog to seek closeness to a protective person.;
The goal of this drive is to feel safe, secure, and protected.
Proximity seeking promotes attachment behaviors, especially when your GSD is:
- Threatened
- Endangered
- Stressed
The owner needs to be tuned in to the signals of their GSD to respond in an accurate and timely fashion.
The quality of your caregiving is key to forming a secure attachment with your dog.
You May Like: German Shepherd Colors
How To Play With A German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. The way you play with them while theyre still small will have a profound impact on their physical and mental wellbeing as they grow into adulthood. So how do you play with a German Shepherd puppy?
This article will examine the best way to play and entertain your German Shepherd puppy, providing example games to play and activities to do.
When To Take Charge Of German Shepherd Puppy
G erman Shepherd puppy biting is one of the key behaviors you should take charge of as soon as possible. Ignoring or encouraging biting behavior can lead to it spinning out of control. And once your puppy is older biting could mean big problems Like puncture wounds, legal battles, confiscation or worse euthanasia.
Read Also: Will My German Shepherd Puppy Stop Biting
Add A Comment To Dana’s Experience
Was this experience helpful?
Puppy is biting me constantly. I always try to redirect her with toys but sheâs more interested in biting me. Iâve done a lot of research online but nothing helps. I canât even walk around her without her biting my ankles and legs. I also have a 3 year old child, sheâs good with my child but I am a little concerned that she might nip him while playing one day.
Other Dogs Can Be Fun
If your GSD is used to being your only dog, then this tip may not be a good match. However, if your German Shepherd likes the company of other dogs, why not let him have a playdate?
Even better, if you have the room and the love, get another dog to keep your GSD company while youre gone.
This tip works best with highly socialized dogs and those who were raised around other dogs.
If your GSD has spent most of his life as an only dog, bringing another one home might cause more stress than happiness.
Read Also: What Are Some Good Names For German Shepherds
Training Goal #: Impulse Control
Learning to control their impulses is important for all puppies, and for the GSD, it can be one of the most important ways to curb problem behaviors to which this breed is prone if allowed to become bored: behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, aggressive chewing, and inappropriate chasing .
The key to impulse control is getting your dog to focus on you. This will have beneficial effects for all the rest of your training efforts, especially in AKC dog sports like Obedience and Rally.
Require that your puppy sit before getting food, playing with an exciting toy, going outside to play, or any other favorite activity. As your GSD puppy advances in obedience training and knows more commands, you can require more advanced commands or tricks in order to receive treats or play.
Practice Bonding On Your Daily Walks
Walks arent just for exercise!
There are walks, and there are super walks!
You know its unquestionably important to have a dog that knows how to walk nicely on a leash.
However, its also important to allow a German Shepherd to have time to explore its surroundings. Dogs see their surroundings with their noses and are amazing at processing information through sniffing.
You can help your dog associate you with fun and fulfilling things by using your walks as a bonding activity.
You May Like: Akc German Shepherd Names
When To Take Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd To The Vet
If your puppy is vomiting, has bloody diarrhea, seems unusually lethargic, or is refusing to eat or drink, then its time to call the vet. Puppies often bite each other when theyre playing to them, biting is just part of a fun game! Your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is likely to bite you too, for exactly the same reason. She may even growl.
Fun Indoor Games For Dogs
When bad weather hits, it can be a challenge to provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation to burn off the boundless energy of active dogs.; During these times, dogs often become restless, which may lead to the boredom blues or the type of destructive behaviors youve worked hard to train your dog to avoid.
A little preplanning can go a long way to help keep dogs from getting bored while allowing them to have some fun.; Indoor activities are also great on days that youre too busy to take your dog for a walk or just not feeling well.; Some fun indoor games for dogs include.
1. Indoor strength training
Provide your dog with a challenge and improve coordination with indoor strength training.; Teach your dog to stand on a balance or wobble board, step over canine cavaletti poles, or balance on paw pods.; Teaching your dog to do these activities will stimulate the mind and work their muscles.; These exercises may not be safe for all dogs or senior dogs but some can be modified, such as placing cavaletti poles on the ground rather than having a dog jump over them.
2. Indoor walks
3. Canine calisthenics
4. Find it
5. Do chores
6. Tricks and Tugs
7. Teach your dog to dance
A great way to wrap up your indoor game sessions and let your dog know its time to relax is by sitting down with your dog and ending the games with a canine massage.;;; Your dog will thank you for it.
You May Like: Potty Training German Shepherd Puppies
Week 3 Training Your German Shepherd Puppy
| Socialisation exercises to do this week | Training Exercises to do this week | Husbandry Tasks to do this week |
| Scent Trails |
PRO TIP: Were going to be honest. Outside, its soooo difficult for puppies to focus on their owners, so dont be surprised if they find it tricky at first. Be patient and give them lots of praise and be happy when they come back when you call them!
Can I Leave My German Shepherd Alone With My Children
Even if your German Shepherd is normally quiet and friendly, you should always supervise him while hes around young children for his protection as well as theirs. A dog who regularly exhibits dominant behavior should not be left unsupervised with children of any age.
A dog who has ever aggressively bitten anyone should not be around children at all. Even if nipping occurred only during play, you should closely supervise your German Shepherd around children until youre absolutely certain the behavior wont be repeated.
Also Check: What To Feed A 1 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy
Training Goal #: Begin Obedience Training
The German Shepherd Dogs work ethic is legendary, and you can encourage your dogs best working traits with early and ongoing training. GSDs excel at obedience, so begin teaching your puppy basic commands like sit, down, and stay, as well as loose-leash walking, from an early age. Enrolling in a puppy obedience class can be extremely helpful both for teaching these commands as well as socialization, and its not too early to begin thinking about CGC training as well.
Establishing Rules To Help Them Succeed
Make sure everyone in your family follows the same rules so your GSD is set up for success.
German Shepherds want, need, and love rules.
But, your dog doesnt come to you knowing all the rules of your house. Its your job to teach them how to succeed by developing rules to help them succeed in your family.;
Rules help make life predictable, less confusing, and less stressful. But, dogs dont understand exceptions to rules so have everyone in your family on board with the same rules.
Shepherds thrive when they know where the boundaries are. When you spend time supporting consistent boundaries with positive training and rewards you also build up their trust in you as a leader.
Consider the following examples of rules for your GSD:;
- If you dont want your dog on the sofa, teach him that rule so he steers clear of trouble ensure your whole family is on board.
- Maybe you dont want your dog to bark out the front window at passers-by, so you teach him to instead come to you and you reward him. Instead of leaving him to bark at the window.
- If there are rooms that are off-limits to them, place a baby gate in the doorway. Dont expect them to just know not to enter.
Encourage your GSD to be an active participant in your familys day-to-day life and routine. A German Shepherd that is shut away for most of the day and doesnt have much interaction with the family is left without guidance from its owner.;
Recommended Reading: Ddr German Shepherd Weight
Use A Long Line For A Stronger Bonding Experience
A simple way to ensure walks are more bonding and enriching for your dog is to use a comfortable long-line leash. A long line is a training leash that gives your dog more freedom to run back and forth.;
Steps for using the long line:
- First, find an area where its safe and away from traffic, like a park or field
- Attach the long line to their harness, using a line thats at least 20 feet long
- While theyre on the long line, allow them to sniff and roam at their own pace and leisure
Its more relaxing and natural for your dog to move on a long line, as opposed to being held closely on your regular walking leash.
The long line walk also creates more opportunities for connection. You might notice that your German Shepherd chooses to keep an eye on you, check in with you of their own will, or even run over to ask you for play or petting.
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?
Don’t Miss: Shepadoodle Hypoallergenic
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.
Recall Outside Using A Lead
Ooh, time to practice outside.;;
Let us give you a disclaimer: The outside will bring huge distractions to your training especially for an inquisitive puppy!
But its nothing you cant handle. Were sure youre even turning into a pro now.
How to do it
TIPS
· ; Your puppy may find it very distracting with all of the smells, so try to make your voice sound extra cheerful and happy to get their attention.
· ; Use your come cue when your puppy is actually looking at you. That way you can make sure theyre actually starting to learn what the word means.;
Recommended Reading: When Does A German Shepherd Ears Stand Up
Recommended Reading: Are German Shepherds Supposed To Be Skinny
Run With Your Dog In Two
If you go for jogging or biking, take your German Shepherd along for the company. It will allow your pet to burn some calories that it may have accumulated sitting idle at home.
You can determine the speed and distance as per the stamina and convenience of both of you. If you love skating, you can show your dog your skills on such trips and make him proud of you.
German Shepherd dogs are strong and full of stamina. They can give you company on the jogging trails as well as walk for long distances. While running or walking, teach your pet to keep a distance from you so that it does not collide with you.
Also read: The Complete Guide to Running with German Shepherds
Benefits Of German Shepherd Activities
Your dog or puppy has many senses they need to use daily.;
They can see, hear, touch, smell, and think. Many dogs living in our modern, busy lives lack mental stimulation.
In the wild, your dog would work alongside their pack or alone to track down prey using their senses. They would then plan an attack, using their mental abilities.;
Using all these senses during play helps your dog gain confidence in themselves and in their abilities. New experiences ignite portions of their brains to keep them engaged in their environments.;
An engaged dog is a happy, better-behaved dog!
The more consistent you are using activities for German Shepherds the more benefits youll see. Include 2 or 3 new activities for your German Shepherd a week to begin.
Aim to incorporate these activities daily for the best results in your German Shepherds behavior.
Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Diapers
Understand Your German Shepherds Learning Curve
German Shepherds are smart dogs. In fact, they are very smart and rightly considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds on the planet. This is for good reason, as its also the reason that they are used in so many different applications that draw on this intelliegence.
From military use, to police use, to farm use, to use as service dogs, German Shepherds have served mankind for over 100 years. However, because GSDs are so intelligent, they can also be stubborn. Therefore, training them needs to be approached from an intelligent and loving, yet firm place.
It is very important for you to understand just how intelligent your GSD is. Your GSD is capable of problem solving and is able to function independently. This means that you must allow your GSDs intelligence to work for him and not against him. You can make sure that you are doing this by keeping in mind that your puppy, just like you, has a learning curve.
Give your GSD an opportunity to hit his own learning stride, and do not expect him to learn on your schedule. By understanding how your GSDs intelligence functions in this manner, you will be setting both you and your dog up for training success!