Keep In Mind The Definition Of A Good Job For Your German Shepherd Is:
- an activity or event that gives your dog an opportunity to use their mind and bodies
- performed on a schedule and at regular times
- an action where your German Shepherd is doing the job with consistency, and
- rewarded and reinforced when the work is complete and theres a job well done!
Contrary to what you might have heard, the best jobs to give your German Shepherd around the house dont have to involve herding, barking and guarding, or take months to teach.
Keep your active breed engaged with you and their world by giving them one of these exciting household jobs for German Shepherds.
Get The Timings Right
Timing is crucial in training. If youre trying to reward your dog for a certain behavior, you need to do so immediately. Otherwise, they may get confused about which behavior you are rewarding.
A great way to improve your timing and to ensure you always clearly communicate to your German shepherd is by using a .
Hire A Friend For Your Dog
If you can afford it, you may wish to hire a dog walker to be your dogs friend once or twice a day while youre gone.
Even if they stay for just a few minutes, that small bit of human contact may be just what your dog needs to stay happy and entertained until you get back.
The key to using a friend for hire or a dog walker is to make sure you introduce your pooch in advance.
There is nothing quite as upsetting to a German Shepherd as a stranger coming into his house.
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Reason : Rottweilers Are Built Differently
If you own a Rottweiler, you know that they are large doggos. A fully-grown male can weigh up to 130 pounds!
When theyre in good shape, Rotts are very muscular. Their big frames and heavy bone structure means they arent able to run quite as fast as German Shepherds Rottweilers typically max out at about 25 miles per hour, while German Shepherds can run as fast as 30 miles per hour.
Also because of their large size, they may not be quite as agileor have the same enduranceas other police dogs on the force.
Rotts also rank high on the list of dogs with the most powerful bites. As police dogs, this could potentially be a problem if theyre given the command to take down a suspect. A bite from a Rottweiler could inflict significantly more damage than intended.
Safety Notes For Gsds Left Alone
We like to believe that our dogs are smart enough to stay safe and make good decisions while were not around.
Unfortunately, accidents can happen to even the smartest and most well-behaved German Shepherds. For that reason, its imperative that you consider safety issues while youre away from home.
- Take a quick look around your house before you leave.
- Are the outlets covered?
- Have you tied up all strings from blinds and curtains?
- Are your dogs toys in good condition, with no loose or potentially broken parts?
- Are all the windows and doors shut tight and locked?
Heavy chewers may enjoy a good chew toy while youre gone, but there is a small chance of choking. Puppies and older dogs are more prone to this, but all dogs run a risk of choking.
For this reason, you may want to leave chew toys out of reach while youre gone. Good alternatives include sturdy treat-dispensing toys.
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Make It Part Of A Routine
German Shepherds thrive on consistency, so theyre most likely to do their job well when its part of their daily routine. The best chores will be based on a schedule or certain triggers.
For example, one of the best household chores for your German Shepherd is to make sure your children get up for school on time.
This is something your dog can do every day as part of their morning routine. You can also set up an alarm as a trigger to let them know when its time to get to work.
The German Shepherd Dog Working Line Vs Show Line
The show line has a sloped/roached back, broader body, angled hindquarters, and possibly weaker hips.
TemperamentThe working line is very high energy, high drive, fearless, has a strong work ethic, extremely intelligent, confident in all they do, and have nerves of steel so they do not back down to threats.
The show line is lower energy, less intense, very smart, and friendlier.
CoatsThe coat of the working line is often seen in sable and their coats are shorter and coarse, although there are long coat working line German shepherds.
The show line is most often seen in the classic tan and black or red and black saddle or blanket.
HealthThe working line German shepherd is more rugged and typically healthier and less prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
The show line is bred for appearance and more prone to hip and elbow problems due to their sloped backs and shorter hind legs.
As Family PetsWorking line German shepherds are very loyal and make devoted family pets when their mental and physical needs can be met. They are loving and companionable but are very high energy and require lots of exercise, training, socialization, and must be able to expend their abundance of energy in positive outlets. They usually require experienced working dog handlers.
The show line German shepherd is a much calmer and a more easy-going family pet. They are loving and loyal dogs that are very smart and highly trainable. They also require plenty of exercise and lots of mental stimulation to thrive.
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Active And Need A High Level Of Exercise
Although this can fall into the pro column for families who are very active, it is important to remember that these dogs need to work. Every. Single. Day. This means even if youre feeling a rest day, chances are your pup is still in need of their workout. So, you need to make sure you have a plan to give your pup enough physical and mental exercise to keep them happy and healthy every single day. With a life expectancy anywhere from 7-11 years, this is a lifetime commitment. Even as these dogs age and start to slow down, they will still need some work to do that is appropriate for their level of fitness.
Selecting The Best German Shepherd For Herding
When training German Shepherds for herding dogs, it is necessary to spend as much time with it as possible from the day it is born. This allows the pups to become familiar with the tones of your voice, which is crucial. The following tests should begin being performed when the pups are around three weeks old in order to determine which ones can become competent herding dogs:
Start out by putting a pan of food in with the litter. When the puppies place their full attention on the food, go somewhere where they cannot see you and make a loud noise. Do this multiple times and take note of the ones that pay no attention to the noise.
Training the Young German Shepherd
When the pups are 4-6 weeks old, see which puppies come to you when you call them. Take note of the ones that show the greatest interest and attraction to you.
Also during this period, put a lamb, or any other livestock they will be herding, in with the litter every other day. You want to start with a young lamb or other animal and increase the size as the puppies grow. Repeat the process every other day for three weeks and see which puppies show and maintain a keen interest in the animal. These have the best potential as herding dogs.
More Puppy Testing for Herding Potential
Methods of Testing Puppies
Cornerstone Training for Herding Dogs
Important Traits in Herding Dogs in Early Training
Potential in Herding Dogs
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Average Size Of A Litter
German Shepherd Dogs are from a rather large breed of dogs, therefore they are capable of whelping large litters. The average litter size of German Shepherd litters is from 3 to 11 puppies, with a median number of 7 puppies. Many factors can determine litter size including the age of the dam, her nutritional status, and most importantly the genetics of the dam and the sire.
In 2015, a white long-haired German Shepherd in Indiana whelped a litter of seventeen puppiesa newsworthy event. Three of the puppies did not survive, though. More recently, a German Shepherd gave birth to a dozen puppies.
Top Activities For German Shepherds
German Shepherds require mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive.
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We started looking for venues to keep Sultan busy. There was a dog park in our area with an agility course set up. We went and met with other dog owners, some of who were German Shepherd owners, and asked them what they did with their dogs. We acquired a great list of games, jobs, and activities that these owners use to make sure the natural working instinct instilled in every German Shepherd was satisfied. As a side note, these games and activities also seriously helped our Australian Shepherd, who had suffered from anxiety from a young age. Here are some of the suggestions that really helped Sultan:
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The Firmness Of The Nerves
The races are divided into levels of difficulty, ranging from the most basic IGP1 to the most difficult IGP3 which is the category of international competitions. Regardless of the degree of difficulty , they are all composed of 3 sections: A Lighthouse, B Obedience and C Protection, and therefore they are known as the Canine Triathlon of working dogs.
What To Watch For
Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your German Shepherd Dog needs help.
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Working Lines German Shepherd Vs Show Lines
German Shepherd Dogs are not just mere breed of dog, it is also a functional animal. If you are not yet aware or has no interest about dogs especially on German Shepherd, you will really be surprised when you know about their characteristics. In this article, you will understand the difference between working lines German Shepherd and show lines but first, it is necessary to have an overview of what is the history of the German Shepherd lines.
German Shepherds Will Explore Everything With Their Noses
Youll find evidence of their very thorough sniffing everywhere walls, doors, windows, and more. All dogs have a better sense of smell than humans 10,000 to 100,000 times better in fact thanks to having millions more scent receptors. But compared to other breeds, the GSD ranks near the top in scenting ability. Its no wonder they make such great police and detection dogs. Among many other jobs, GSDs are known for their bomb and drug sniffing work, tracking, and search and rescue.
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How To Train A German Shepherd To Be A Guard Dog
German Shepherds will usually take to being a guard dog naturally. It’s important to train them to be obedient. Learn how here.Many dogs are natural watch dogs their bark is sufficient to alert their owner to something unusual, and the alarm they set up is a deterrent. In addition, dogs who will fight if their owner is genuinely attacked do not have to be made aggressive to do so. Training a dog specifically to be a guard dog is hazardous and potentially creates a liability for you. Misguided attempts to make a dog aggressive through abuse will only backfire because the dog will not be loyal to someone who treats them harshly, and if the dog wrongly bites someone you will be at fault. Never train dogs who are basically fearful or out of control. Such dogs may not respond appropriately in non-threatening situations.
A German shepherd dog should not be selected to receive training as a guard dog unless the dog is basically friendly, stable and clear-headed, and has been well-socialized.
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Walk your German shepherd dog on a leash around the perimeter of your property regularly to identify your territorial boundaries. Do not allow your dog to bark at people who are outside your property. Do not allow your dog to chase people under any circumstances.
TIPS & WARNINGS
THINGS NEEDED
Can Be Trained For A Variety Of Tasks
From sniffing out explosives or narcotics to pursuing the bad guys these dogs can be trained to take on a variety of tasks. When bringing a German Shepherd into your home, you want to ensure your dog will have a job to do. Otherwise, this pro can quickly become a con. An understimulated dog will almost always find something to do and it may be something you dont like.
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Is A German Shepherd A Good Family Dog
The short answer is maybe. It really depends on your family and your lifestyle. If youre looking for an active dog who can help keep your family safe the German shepherd might be the perfect family pet.
It is important that potential owners of German shepheds have a plan to ensure that their dogs have a job to do and enough space to get some exercise. While a fenced in yard is ideal, if you dont have one it doesnt automatically mean you cant keep one of these dogs successfully. Doggie daycares, dog parks/runs and even participating in sporting lessons like agility can offer plenty of exercise for your pup.
Like any other dog, German shepherds need proper training and socialization. This means exposing your dog to as many people, places and things as possible when they are young. You also want to make sure your dog is under you control. A 90 pound German Shephard dragging you around town can be downright dangerous, so leash manners are a must. A good and reliable sit, down and come will also help you keep your dog well under your control.
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When Should The Training Process Begin
The training process should start as soon as your puppy comes home. This is because the first 16 weeks are the critical socialization period of their life, where they are less fearful and more open to new things.
If you leave their socialization or training too late, it drastically increases their chances of developing behavioral problems in adulthood.
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Never Yell At Or Physically Scold Your Dog
It is very important that you keep in mind that your German Shepherd, like you, is an emotional creature. Think about how you learn and function best. Chances are that you are most receptive to new things if they are presented to you in a calm and deliberate manner and you probably wouldnt take to well to someone yelling at you or even hitting you in an effort to get you to learn something.
Your German Shepherd is just the same. If you are frustrated and then take that out on your GSD by yelling, this is just about the most counterproductive thing that you can do. In fact, it will likely have the effect of undoing a lot of effort that the both of you will have put in to the learning process.
So please remain calm at all times. If your dog is not performing a behavior to your satisfaction, then perhaps evaluate your approach instead of thinking that it is your GSDs fault.
As mentioned above, training your German Shepherd is a great opportunity for you take a look at yourself and maybe even make yourself a better person during the process.
Lastly, NEVER physically scold your dog. Doing so may lead to a number of undesirable results. Aside from undermining the training process, it will lead to your dog just not trusting you. If your GSD doesnt trust you, he will no longer be receptive to anything that you try to teach him.
Choose Your Learning Environment Wisely
Like you, in order to learn something, your GSD will excel in an environment that is conducive to learning. Ideally, you would not go to the food court of a busy mall to sit down and study for an upcoming exam. Instead, you would choose a quiet room in your home, or perhaps a library or coffee shop. Why would you do this? Because there are no distractions.
Similarly, you must choose an environment that is conducive to learning for your German Shepherd in order to give him the best chance for success. What this means, practically speaking, is that you want to choose an environment such as a quiet room in your home, or even your own backyard. The idea being that it must be some place that your GSD is familiar with and that will not lend itself to distractions.
You should not consider training your GSD around people that he is unfamiliar with or in a new or busy environment, such as a dog park full of other dogs competing for your GSDs attention.
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