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How To Raise A German Shepherd

Sleep Training The First Week

How to raise a German Shepherd Puppy

Eventually, wherever you want them to. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep it will help them feel safe.

If you were a teeny baby, youd probably want to sleep next to someone too. Having them sleep beside you will also be of great help with toilet training youll be able to rush them to the toilet as soon as you hear them squeak.

Theres something else you should know. You probably wont be sleeping incredibly well for the next few weeks puppies take a while to have full control of their bladder, so you can prepare to sleep with one eye open for now. Dont worry! Youll be back to sleeping with both eyes closed soon enough.

What Do German Shepherd Goldendoodle Mix Puppies Look Like

Doodles are usually a first generation cross between a purebred Poodle, and a different purebred dog breed.These first generation Doodles inherit their character and appearance from both their parents and often inherit some of the poodles curl.

Its always difficult with a mix breed dog to predict the exact appearance and temperament of the puppies. This is especially true when one of the parents of your puppy is also a mix. The German Shepherd Goldendoodle mix will likely have a medium length coat with some wave but its unlikely to be a very curly coated dog like a Poodle. And your dogs ears may well tip over rather than point up like a German Shepherd.

Both golden retrievers and German Shepherds have long thick tails that are carried lower than their back, but when these breeds are mixed with other breeds, a somewhat curlier or partly raised tail is often the result.

Coat color can vary too, and will depend to some extent on the color of the Poodle grandparent, but a golden coat with darker areas of fur on the back and head, are quite likely.

Consider Other Pets In Your Home

This is a breed that can react quite aggressively towards other animals in their space. You should, therefore, dedicate a lot of time to train your dog. This includes preparing them for the encounters theyll have with other pets in your home.

If you choose to start with a puppy, the first two months are relatively straightforward. A young puppy might be shy, but not problematic to other pets in your home. This is the best time to kick start your social and behavioral training by introducing him/her to your other pets.

The case might be a little different from reptiles or amphibians. Its recommended that you supervise them closely during the interactions to avoid issues. There has also been speculation about bacterial diseases transmitted from pets such as snakes, lizards, and turtles to dogs. Check out this breakdown ofreptiles vs amphibians to know how you can safely integrate your dog into the family.

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German Shepherd Vs Goldendoodle Temperament

Golden Retrievers in general are very good natured and friendly dogs. Poodles can be more aloof and wary of strangers, but Goldendoodles are unlikely to have strong guarding tendencies. German Shepherds, on the other hand often have very strong guarding instincts and that may be reflected in the temperament of a Goldendoodle mixed with German Shepherd. What all these breeds have in common is a powerful loyalty to their families and a deep intelligence that makes them very responsive to training.

Ignore Is A Powerful Leader Statement

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Puppies are more responsive to the Ignore method of training.

As a new German Shepherd owner you might think you need to appease your dog all the time, or give into their excessive attention-seeking.

But, this is exactly the time you need to introduce the IGNORE response. In my experience, this is one of the most effective training methods that you can use when owning a German Shepherd.

Put simply, heres the basics to use the Ignore method of training:

  • You ignore the behavior that you want to stop or reduce.
  • On the flip side, you give attention to the behavior you want to encourage.

The hard bit is ignoring a very intelligent German Shepherd who is persistent! But, if you persevere and stay consistent, youll find that few GSDs will continue a behavior that isnt rewarding to them.

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Do’s & Don’ts For A Healthy Dog

It is unhealthy for a dog to be overweight. Overfeeding is NOT a sign of love.

Your German Shepherd is the right weight when you can tell there are ribs and there is a slight ‘waistline’ behind the ribs, before the rear legs.

  • Stages:- Puppies eat more and are highly active- Adult dogs have normal routines and food intake- Older dogs might require special diets & limited exercise
  • Feed a really good quality dog food. Quality foods have good protein sources and few fillers. Quality foods cost more but you will feed less because your dog will get more nutrition for the food. Good food will decrease your daily pickup chores.
  • Set Regular Mealtimes. An irregular eating schedule can affect your dogs digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders.
  • Keep the water and food bowls in the same place every day. If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl. Wash them often. Stainless steel is a good choice.
  • Dont worry about your dog getting hunger pangs between meals. Unless instructed by your veterinarian, your dog should only need two meals daily.
  • Set a 15 minute rule. If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat. Take the bowl up, dispose of the uneaten food & wash the bowl.

Based on information supplied by The American Kennel Club, Inc.

How To Crate Train A German Shepherd Puppy

Crate training is the process by which you get your puppy used to spending time in their crate. Whether it is overnight, during the day when youre at work, or in the evening when you need a little puppy-free time, your puppys crate should be their haven.

Its best to get a crate that can accommodate your full-grown GSD, so you dont end up having to buy several during their first year of life. The good idea is to buy a crate with a divider, such as the MidWest LifeStages large crate. It measures 48 x 30 x 33 inches, and you can use it to gradually give your puppy more space as they grow.

You want your puppy to associate the crate with positive experiences. If you do it right, your German Shepherd will love its crate even as adults and will likely go there when they need a moment to themselves.

Heres how to teach your puppy that the crate is a good place to be:

Here you can read our complete guide to crate training a puppy.

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Teaching Your German Shepherd Puppy To Lay Down

Handy for when youre watching telly and they wont stop blocking the screen.

How to do it

  • Lets make it easy for them. Start this exercise with your puppy sitting and have them on a non slip mat or carpet.
  • Hold the treat on your puppys nose and take it under their chin towards their chest.
  • Slowly take your hand down to the floor so that you end up with the treat between your puppys paws.
  • Once you see your puppys elbows go down on the floor, and they are lying down you can give your marker word good and give them the treat. Good job!
  • Repeat this 5 times in a row to make sure it stays in their head and then take a break.
  • TIPS

    · When you hold the treat, think about positioning your hand as if you were throwing a ball underarm it will make your puppys nose go over the top of your hand rather than trying to sniff underneath it, which will make them want to bend down

    · If your puppy starts to go a bit frog like , try the same exercise but have them start in a stand position youre looking for them to fold back, almost looking like a sphinx!

    Know The Gsd Is A Working Dog

    How to raise a German Shepherd ð?â?𦺠puppy. Health, Nutrition & Training Complete Guide.

    This breed of dog is descended from working dogs and as such has a pretty much insatiable appetite for exercise! When you meet your dogs needs to run, chase, jump, and retrieve on a daily basis, you are will have a happy dog that is eager to please. This has many benefits and means that theyre tuned in when it comes to training, rather than distracted and looking for trouble.

    You should also know that boredom is the enemy when it comes to training. Your first task is to meet the dogs need for physical activity. Take stock and see what adjustments you can make to schedule at least two, 45-minute active exercise sessions each day. If your work schedule doesnt allow this, then consider using a dog walking service to ensure that your dog gets all of the exercise they need each and every day.

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    Socializing Your German Shepherd Puppy

    Part of training your German Shepherd is making sure they are properly socialized. Socialization involves getting your dog used to all sorts of real-world scenarios so they can grow up fearless and full of confidence.

    Fear-based aggression is a serious problem among GSDs. In such cases, unfamiliar or scary situations trigger aggressive behaviors.

    The goal of socialization is to make your dog comfortable in all sorts of environments. So, as early as possible, give your puppy plenty of opportunities to interact with different people and animals.

    Show them many different places and make sure they get used to all sorts of sights, sounds, and smells.

    Socialization also involves being open to handling. For example, you should be able to fuss over their paws and ears without drama. They should also get used to being handled by other people.

    This is useful when you need to have them groomed, walked, or boarded. Having a properly socialized dog will also allow you to train them in real-world settings.

    How Can I Stop My Puppy From Biting

    It’s important for puppies to learn to control their bites. This is best taught at a young age.Carefully watch your puppy for signs that he is about to grab your hand. Before he can do that, give him a soft toy or a Kong as an alternative.

    If puppy bites you before you can give him a toy, make the squealing sound a littermate would make when it is bitten by another pup “eek” or “ouch”. Then quickly redirect the puppy to an appropriate toy that is “chew safe”.

    When a puppy can’t be supervised he should be safely in his crate or an exercise pen with Kongs or other dog-safe toys that can’t be chewed up and swallowed. DO NOT LEAVE STUFFED TOYS IN A CRATE WITH A PUPPY. Talk with your breeder and/or vet about safe toys for puppies.Also, a tired puppy is a good puppy. Be sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise for his body and his brain . Exercise for 10 minutes every hour or so is better than 2 hours at a time. Puppies need naps just like babies.

    Start training at an early age in a good puppy class in your area. Puppies of all breeds get your puppy used to other types of dogs.– Cheryl May

    For more information: Use Google to search for ‘puppy training’ in your area. Look for local classes that are affiliated with the AKC’s S.T.A.R. puppy training. Also look at our Regional Club listings to see if there is a club that offers puppy classes in your area especially for German Shepherd puppies.

    Consider why puppies pull when they are walking:

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    Do German Shepherds Have A Lot Of Same

    One of the things you might need to think about if you decide to have two German Shepherds is whether you want to have two dogs of the same or opposite gender. There are advantages and disadvantages that are important for GSD owners to consider.

    According to Austerlitz German Shepherds, the dogs environment makes the most significant difference in how the dogs will adjust, even though gender will, of course, play a role.

    Genetics also plays a role in a dogs temperament, which is something that a dogs owners have less control over. In the case of owners who acquire a second dog through a breeder, being able to observe the parents behavior is crucial in choosing.

    Contrary to popular belief, neither gender is more or less likely to have aggression issues. Some dogs of the same gender get along perfectly well, while others do better with another dog of the opposite sex.

    If you want to get a second GSD, consider how your dog behaves around other dogs you encounter, such as neighbors or friends dogs. A dog that is reactive toward dogs of the same sex would probably do better with a dog of the opposite sex.

    The good thing is that taking steps like having both dogs altered when possible and practical, as well as making sure the introductions are done correctly, will help ensure that both dogs get along as well as possible.

    Shepherd Poodle Dog Sizes

    Raising Newborn Puppies: Keeping Warm

    Just how tall and heavy the Golden Shepadoodle gets will depend partly on the size of their Poodle grandparent. That can vary a lot as Poodles come in three different sizes toy, miniature and standard. The Goldendoodle is usually a Golden Retriever X Standard Poodle, so your puppy will likely grow up to be a fairly big dog.

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    Beagle German Shepherds Are Not Suitable For:

    Unfortunately, German Shepherd Beagle dogs are not a good choice for someone living in a small apartment on their own. If you have a 9-to-5 job in the office and cannot spend your days with the dog, it will most likely get depressed without enough physical activity and communication.

    Beagle Shepherds may not be suitable for senior citizens, since they can sometimes overburden seniors with their excessive need for movement and exercise.

    Potty Training Your Pup

    Potty training your puppy goes hand in hand with crate training. As soon as you let your pup out of his crate, you should take him directly to his established bathroom area. You are the one that determines this area. It could be a special area of the yard, or it can be a pee pad placed in a special area in the home. Chances are he will go to the bathroom immediately since he will refuse to go while inside of his crate.

    Another rule to remember is that after your serve your GSD pup food and water, take them to their designated bathroom area within 10 minutes of him completing his meal or drinking water.

    German Shepherds are highly intelligent and will soon catch on and learn their daily schedule. They will eventually begin to seek out this schedule on their own. You will notice this because they will begin telling you by scratching at the door or immediately going to their designated bathroom area on their own. Once you reach this stage, you have successfully potty trained your German Shepherd puppy.

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    Raising And Training A German Shepherd Puppy

    When thinking of bringing a German Shepherd pup into your home, it is important to understand the responsibility you will need to take. Giving your puppy the care, love, and training it needs while it is still young is vital so that you have a well-behaved dog in the future.

    A German Shepherd is not only a wonderful friend to have in the house but a wonderful alarm, as he is ready to bark at any sign of danger. But German Shepherd puppies must be taught who is in control.

    Give Your Dog Responsibilities

    Raise a German Shepherd puppy in an apartment or condo with GSM

    German Shepherds thrive best when theyre pre-occupied and able to use their unique physical and abilities. In fact, if you give your GSD some household chores, youll find that theyre happier and better behaved.

    Apart from having a happy helper at home, giving your dog a job also gives you plenty of opportunities to train and reward them for their positive behaviors.

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    Develop A Strong Bond

    Training your German Shepherd isnt just about teaching them good manners. It is also very much about developing your relationship with each other.

    With every training session, you become more in tune with one another and learn more about how to communicate with each other. The bond you develop with your GSD through training will translate to their affection and loyalty towards you.

    Tip #: Stop Your German Shepherd Puppy From Pulling On The Leash Now

    Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded when the leash is loose. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you!

    Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us?

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    Tip #: Potty Train Your German Shepherd Puppy The Right Way

    Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. Use a crate if you need to and NEVER punish your GSD for an accident you did not see happen, you have to catch-him-in-the-act if you want to mildly reprimand and redirect to the correct spot.

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