The Kong Is Perfect For A Sheprador
Its kind of difficult to find much negative to say about the Kong.
One of our personal favorite things to do with the Kong is mix some peanut butter or yogurt up with some dog kibble and freeze it in the Kong overnight. If youre gone at work for long days or just want to offer your German Shepherd Lab Mix an opportunity to have a toy that they wont lose interest in, this is a great method for you. If you go the peanut butter route, you should also make sure your dog has plenty of access to water as peanut butter often makes them thirsty.
Since there can be some size variation in the German Shepherd Lab mix depending on the genetics that went into breeding, we also like that the Kong comes in 6 different sizes, so you can get the right size for your pup. Most dogs enjoy carrying toys around in their mouths, so being able to order a toy in the right size for your dog specifically is ideal. Most Shepradors will probably do best with a Medium or Large Kong.
The other thing we like about the Kong is the bounce it has. While youll want to be more careful with odd bounces causing twerking and jerking on the soft bones of young puppies, you can create even more engagement with your larger breed dog by watching them chase the Kong with its unpredictable bounces.
The Kong is a classic.Every dog owner should have one.
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.
Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Working Ability And Versatility
As mentioned above, German Shepherds were bred from German non-standardised shepherds to produce to ideal working dog German Shepherds belong to the herding group.
Labradors were bred from the St. Johns water dog to produce a dog ideal for both retrieving on shore , and retrieving from the water Labradors belong to the gun dog retriever group.
When you combine these dog breeds, you get an extremely varied and strong mix of working type characteristics.
German Shepherds would be the more versatile of the two breeds overall, but Labradors are probably stronger with their scent and tracking, swimming and retrieval capabilities.
This is evidenced in the police force for example where Labradors might be used more for airport bomb and drug detection , whereas some lines of German Shepherds possess that hard line working edge and controlled aggression necessary for suspect apprehension.
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Adopting A Dog From A German Shepherd Lab Mix Rescue Or Shelter
One way to get a Sheprador puppy is by adopting from a rescue or shelter. You are likely to find a German Shepherd Lab Mix that served as a police dog or rescue dog, which you can provide them with a new home. You can visit your local animal shelter or rescue group to find a puppy you can adopt.
The advantage of adopting a Sheprador from a local shelter is they usually conduct a complete medical check-up of the pet before they give it to you. With that, you can be sure of your new pets health before adoption.
The Biggest German Shepherd Health Problems Are:
Its a general rule that mixed breeds live longer and have fewer health problems than pure breeds, which is only good news for your mixed dog. But this doesnt mean that your dog is free from these health problems. They still may be a problem.
Responsible dog breeders always screen puppies for inherited medical problems so you should know once you get a puppy how worried you should be about these health issues or not. If you just adopted your German Shepherd Lab mix, make sure that you visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. After all, better safe than sorry.
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They Could Inherit Some Of The Health Issues Of Their Parents
Crossing both breeds mean that their offspring could inherit one or more of the health issues that genetically plague their parents.
Les Anges Gardiens, an expert breeder of the German Shepherd based in Canada, identifies the following potential health issues that a German Shepherd could develop:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Muscular dystrophy
Your dog can avoid these conditions, but you will need to make sure that each of the parents comes from the stock of a high-quality breeder.
These breeders have programs that are working to remove or minimize these health issues with each generation of dog they sire.
It is important that they have a natural diet or a healthy one, if possible, to avoid these common health issues.
Lab Shepherd Mix Colors
As mentioned previously, it is hard to predict the exact physical characteristics of a hybrid puppy.
German Shepherd Lab mix puppies may exhibit a combination of their parents traits. Or they may more closely resemble just one of their parents.
Generally speaking, these mixes can be solid-colored. Or they may resemble the Shepherd with its characteristic black markings on the face, back, and legs.
If Lab Shepherd mix puppies more closely resemble the Labrador parent, then their coat color may be dependent on their Labrador parents coat color.
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Do German Shepherd Pitbull Mixes Make Good Family Pets
If youre considering a Shepherd Pitt dog, youll want to consider the following tips before making the decision to purchase one.
A Shepherd Pitt may mature to be a large dog with lots of energy. With the German Shepherds intelligence and desire to work, they may also be a bit mischievous.
Theyll need a yard or large space to self-exercise in as well as multiple walks and play time throughout the day.
In addition to the energy outlet, exercise is also important for this hybrid due to the high probability of it developing hip dysplasia.
This mixed breed may not require a lot of grooming if it inherits the Pittys short coat. But if their coat is longer like the Shepherds, then theyll need weekly brushing and more when shedding.
As mentioned, we do recommend socializing young puppies to strange people, children, and dogs, considering the Pitbull and German Shepherds predisposition to territorial aggression.
As a family dog, this hybrid may not be ideal for homes with young children or other dogs.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Training & Obedience
Neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, wrote a book called The Intelligence of Dogs, where he focuses on trainability as a marker of intelligence in dog breeds.
He references the assessments of 110 breeds by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges who scored breeds based on working/obedience tests.
The top dogs absorbed commands in less than five repetitions and obeyed them 95% of the time or better.
He lists the top 10 breeds that met that criteria, and German Shepherds came in at number 3, whilst Labradors came in at number 7.
Safe to say, both dog breeds are highly trainable and obedient so theres a lower chance a German Shepherd lab mix is dumb or dopey.
When focusing on training any dog, you want to put a time into:
Early socialisation
Building a bond with your dog through exercise, play time and relaxation time
Basic commands sit, stay, come, drop, leave it etc.
Regular exercise
Being a consistent and strong leader
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Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Temperament
Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly. Besides an irrepressible enthusiasm for making friends with anyone and everyone, theyre also playful and smart. They also have a strong retrieving instinct or in other words they like to carry things around in their mouths! Black Labs in particular have traditionally been favored for working roles, so they tend to be focussed and easily motivated to engage in training.
German Shepherds are often described as courageous and loyal. They have strong herding and guarding instincts. Part of this is an innate distrust of unfamiliar people. Although, they are devoted and affectionate to their human family and regular guests. They are also very smart, and capable of picking up new cues quickly.
What this means for black Lab GSD mix personality
Labs and GSDs have quite different personalities, shaped by different instincts. But they are both talented problem solvers and quick learners. Sheprador puppies are sure to be smart and trainable too. But its impossible to predict whether they will be naturally outgoing and socially confident like a Lab, or more reserved and wary of unfamiliar encounters, like a GSD.
Unfortunately, a black Lab German Shepherd mix puppys temperament is not a reliable indicator of what they will be like as an adult either. So, the training and socialization you do with them while they are young will be very important.
Youll Have To Hide Your Shoes Because These Dogs Love To Chew
Both of the Shepradors parent breeds have a passion for chewing, so youll need a serious dog toy supply to keep your furniture and your shoes safe. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents.
Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Generally, you should avoid:
- soft plush toys, especially if they have one layer of material only
- stuffed toys, because the stuffing will end up in your dogs stomach
- toys smaller than 3 inches , if you have an adult dog, as theres a high risk of choking.
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How To Get A Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Puppy
So you do not want a lazy pooch and have made up your mind for a Blue heeler german shepherd mix, let us look at how you can find a puppy for you.
It would not be an easy task to find this designer dog breed. You should check first for the local shelters of blue heeler and then GSD ones and check if you can see this crossbreed. There might be a dog waiting for a new life.
Though you may not know the details about him so it is best to spend some time before finalizing and taking him home.
If you cant find one at a local shelter, it would be difficult, though not impossible, to find this crossbreed at a breeder of repute.
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.
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Does A German Shepherd And Labrador Mixed Breed Shed
It was mentioned before that this dogs have double coats. It makes them shed seasonally at around twice a year. So the question of whether German Shepherd Lab Mixes shed or not, the answer is yes. Seeing that this dog breed sheds a considerable amount, it makes it a concern to people with asthma or respiratory issues.
Training A German Shepherd Doesnt Happen Overnight
Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. Create more consistency for them and youll see fewer German Shepherd puppy problem behaviors.
To do this, stick with your training. Dont confuse your dog by having different rules for different days or times.
Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Dont give up when your pup doesnt understand what you want the first few times. Persevere with your training and discipline.
Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them.
If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. Its OK and your dog will still learn by having an owner who is more relaxed and calm than one who is stressed and frustrated.
In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs.
If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. You can read more about the best puzzle toys for your German Shepherd and find a few you like so that you and your dog dont get burned out on training.
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Training Goal #: Socialization
Puppies of all breeds have a critical socialization window that closes at 12 to 16 weeks of life, and your GSD puppy is no exception. In fact, for GSDs, who by nature are protective guardians, socialization is extra important so that your puppy learns which strangers are friendly and not a threat.
GSDs are very observant, and your puppy will pick up on your cues and reactions around new people and new situations. During this critical period, having exposure to many different kinds of people in non-threatening situations will help your puppy be confident among friendly strangers rather than fearful or aggressive. And even during times of social and physical distancing, you can still socialize your puppy safely.
Proper socialization cannot be overemphasized for this breed as Adams notes, The foundation for most training is confidence. It is critical that the GSD puppy is well socialized from an early age onward. Safely exposing the puppy to new sights, sounds, and smells is absolutely critical for development. Good socialization translates to confidence.
Certified dog trainer and CGC evaluator Jacqui Foster, CPDT-KA, echoes this sentiment: I tend to lean more towards developing self-confidence in the puppy. For this I recommend short, fun, three-minute games that engage the puppy with the owner as well as in noises, weird and uneven surfaces, family members, etc., throughout the day. A confident puppy is a happy puppy.
Is A German Sheprador A Great Dog For The Family
Based on all the information previously stated in this article, you can probably already know the kind of dog a German Shepherd mixed with a Labrador Retriever is going to be. However, it all depends on what type of dog you are looking for, which will determine if this mixed breed of dog can meet your requirements.
This breed is going to need some space. After all, it is more than likely going to be a large dog given that both its parents are larger breeds. You will need a vast expanse of a secured yard for the dog to run around and exercise.
Taking care of this dog means you need to be home most of the day even during the weekdays. If you cant, then you need to find a doggy daycare for when you need to work.
Labradors are bouncy dogs, so the mixed breed might also be the same. In that case, it must need more toys, especially the chewy ones since they may also be chewy puppies.
Intense socializing is necessary for German Shepherds if you want to lessen the possibility of your dog never leaving you and your property, always guarding and alert for anything.
As your puppy matures, you have to slowly deal with the things that might make your Sheprador an extremely attached dog. You can make that happen by spending much time in the training and exercise of your dog for at least the next 10 or so years.The grooming is weekly at a minimum, which was already discussed prior in this article.
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Tips To Train Your Siberian Husky German Shepherd Puppy
As Sarasota Dog points out, both the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky can have a particularly strong prey drive.
This means the dogs innate instinct to give chase to small prey can feel nearly irresistible to the dog. When you breed two dogs that both have the same strong prey drive, the instinct will just become stronger in the puppies.