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Is A German Shepherd Good For Me

Do German Shepherds Like Other Dogs

REACTING TO WHEN AN AGGRESSIVE GERMAN SHEPHERD BIT ME!

Most German Shepherds are fine with other dogs if they are introduced when they are young. Sometimes, they can be unsure or aggressive towards other dogs, but proper training can avoid any of these problems you may find in a German Shepherd.

Early socialization is the key. They do not become friends with other dogs if they see them as a threat.

Expose your German Shepherd to other people, family, and pets. This need to be done in a positive way. If done well, they will grow up to be loyal, obedient, and loving dogs.

Below is a good way to get your German Shepherd on the right path for socialization.

The best way to ensure that your German Shepherd gets along with other dogs is to introduce them to another dog in neutral setting.

Once they are introduced, take them for a walk together so they can get acclaimed with each others company. It is a good idea to keep them a few feet apart on the first walk.

If you are still in a neutral territory after their walk, have the two dogs smell each other before letting them play. If you find that they are getting along well, let them play for a few minutes.

It is very important to let playtime end on a happy note.

Feeding Your German Shepherd Dog

A German Shepherd dog diet should be designed for a large breed with high energy and training and exercise needs. You should consult with your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for advice on what to feed your German Shepherd and the proper portion size. Their nutritional and diet requirements will change as they grow from puppy to adult and older age. Keep up to date on these nutritional needs.

However, you must be especially very careful when feeding and training a German Shepherd puppy. German Shepherds are very rapidly growing dogs, can grow really big between four and seven months of age, making them prone to bone disorders. They will do well on a high-quality, low-calorie diet that will prevent them from growing too quickly.

And dont let your German Shepherd run, jump or play on hard surfaces like the pavement until they are at least 2-years old and their joints are fully formed. However, its okay for puppies to play on grass; they should be fine.

Over-feeding your German Shepherd and allowing them to pack on the weight can lead to joint problems, as well as other health conditions. Limit treats, keep them active and serve regular meals rather than leaving food available all the time.

What You Should Know Before Getting A German Shepherd

The German Shepherd, or now more correctly known as the German Shepherd Dog or GSD, is a very popular breed thats easy to recognize. Although the breed is often depicted as a police dog or a guard dog, the origins of the GSD was a farm dog that excelled in working with sheep as both a herding dog and a flock guardian.

The GSD was originally bred for performance and not for a breed standard. They were developed in Germany in the mid to late part of the 19th century. In 1899 a military officer, Max von Stephanitz, actually developed the breed as it is now recognized.

The German Shepherd was recognized as a dog breed in Germany and was used as a military dog in the World War l. At the same time, these dogs were also used by the Red Cross and the police throughout Europe. It was smart, highly trainable and fearless, even in combat situations. While there were some of these dogs in the USA in the early part of the 1900s, it was really the efforts of American soldiers to bring these dogs home that sparked the popularity of the breed.

The Characteristics

Todays GSDs are still the same loyal, courageous and highly intelligent dogs they have always been. While they are still used as police and military dogs, they are equally effective as guide and assistance dogs, bomb and drug dogs, as well as wonderful family pets, guard dogs and companions.

Training

General Care

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Are German Shepherds Friendly

The German Shepherd is a dignified dog that can be aloof, and somewhat antisocial.

However, a huge part of this breeds personality is their unconditional love and loyalty.

They adapt well in a family setting and typically get along well with children.

Early socialization and training are important when it comes to German Shepherd temperament. This reduces the chance of them being antisocial,;or cautious around other animals or the unfamiliar.

However, despite early socialization or training, this breed is naturally standoffish. Generation upon generation of training and breeding has created a natural guard dog in this breed.

This doesnt mean that the German Shepherd is aggressive or unwelcoming towards strangers. It simply means that they are cautious of them and like to stay distant before deciding to trust.

Some owners say there is no bond like a German Shepherds bond with their family. The German Shepherds protective and sometimes hard nature is replaced with cuddly love within the home.

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They Raise Their Eyebrows At You

Are German Shepherds Good First Dogs? Prepare Yourself ...

According to;a study;led by researchers from Japans Azabu University Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, dogs raise their eyebrows when theyre happy to see you. It is most common for them to raise one eyebrow, especially the left one.

Additionally, the researchers found that the happier they are to see you, the higher the eyebrow is raised. So, when you see your GSD raising an eyebrow at you, theyre not questioning you but showing affection.

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What Does Gsd Like To Play With

The German Shepherd is also very intelligent so it is important to challenge their minds.

They learn new skills quickly making them easy to train with the right guidance.

Playing games of any kind with your German Shepherd is really good for them and builds up your relationship.

Remember, first of all, dogs are social creatures by nature and playing is one important element in developing and maintaining their social relationships.

Playing games is a proven fundamental way of modeling real-life behaviors and can be beneficial to their overall quality of life.

Is A German Shepherd Right For You Survey Results From German Shepherd Owners

The number three most registered dog breed in the United States according to the American Kennel Club is the German shepherd dog . We have a breed profile on the German shepherd but the breed profile can only tell you so much. Sowe really wanted to give possible German shepherd owners a better understanding of the German shepherd such as: are they good for families with kids? Are they aggressive? Do they shed a lot? Do they bark a lot? What are their good and bad traits?

We wrote a survey asking German shepherd owners just these questions. Read the real answers from over 250 German shepherd owners. We dont want to discourage anyone from getting a dog. But we want the right match.

Read the responses of hundreds of German shepherd owners and find out if a German shepherd is right for you!

Questions we asked in our survey included:

1.What type of pet or pets do you own? In our survey, 57% have dogs, 1.6% had cats, 38% had both dogs and cats and approximately 4% had a dog but recently lost him or her. As you can see 38 % of German shepherd owners have cats!

2.Do you have a German shepherd at home? Over 99.2% answered yes and the remaining answered that they had a German shepherd until recently.

3.How old is your German Shepherd? In our survey, 15.5% were less than 1 year old, 35% were 1 to 3 years old, 22% were 4 to 6 years old, 12% were 7 to 9 years old, 9% were 9 to 11 years old, 5% were 11 to 13 years, 1.2% were 13 to 15 years and approximately 1.2% were over 15 years old.

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Is A German Shepherd A Good Familydog

Yes, the German Shepherd is generally known as a gentle family pet and steadfast guardian. This breed has a history of patience and tolerance, both qualities that are sought after for families.

While the GSD takes to its family, the GSD is still aloof with strangers and is usually not outwardly friendly to those outside the family unit. For some families, this is a highly desired trait.

In general, large dogs are often a better choice than little dogs when your family includes small children and toddlers. Large breeds, like the GSD, are less likely to get hurt when accidentally stepped on or tripped over.

How Much Does A German Shepherd Cost

What it’s Like Owning a German Shepherd

How much is a German Shepherd? On average, a German Shepherd costs between $500 and $1,500 when purchased from a breeder. The cost can fluctuate depending on the location and reputation of the breeder. You can also consider getting a German Shepherd from a rescue organization. This option may be less expensive, but you may also have to wait until they have a dog available for you.

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Is The German Shepherd A Good Dog For First

At the point of acquiring your first dog can be scary, especially when a big dog needs a lot of attention, like a German Shepherd. You may be thinking of focusing on this breed of dog. Still, its crucial to know if German Shepherds are suitable for a first owner and if theyll work with your lifestyle.

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs for active first-time owners. They are brilliant, loyal, and loving dogs that are easy to train and can quickly become great companion dogs for single owners and families. Still, they do require a lot of time and effort.

These dogs can work well for many people, and the reasons are apparent. This breed is not only obedient, but they are also brilliant and caring.

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs, but they require you to have the proper lifestyle. They are giant dogs that require regular training, so you must be willing to spend several hours of the day taking them out and spending time with them.

To know if a German Shepherd will work well with you as a first-time owner, you first need to take a significantly closer look at your lifestyle and decide if you really should get one.

If youve wanted to own a dog for a long time and youve decided on a German Shepherd, there are a few other things you need to consider.

Someone like a significant other, housemate, or family member is ideal for keeping your German Shepherd dog happy and healthy when you cant be with them.

German Shepherds Are A Playful Family Pet

Although it is important that German Shepherds are properly introduced to children, and that children understand the need to respect dogs of any breed, shepherds love to be involved in a family.

Shepherds can tend to love one member of the family over others but will have affection and a protective attitude to all within its circle.

Again, proper socialization from an early age is a requirement for Shepherds, because they can be slow to warm up to strangers and have a strong drive to protect their family.

Shepherds are high energy dogs, so integration into an active family can be an enjoyable experience. They can be very goofy and playful, and love to be included in family walks, trips, or backyard romping.

Watch this YouTube video of German Shepherds being playful and goofy, and see how much fun they could add to your family!

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How Can You Socialize Him

If you Bring home a German Shepherd When it is a puppy it can be easy. Start With introducing at least 15 to 20 new persons each month to your puppy.

These people can be your family members, friends and people you know. They should be very friendly, and patience with your dog. In the beginning, your German Shepherd Puppy can Have some fear but Do not worry, it will pass.

Then you can start introducing him to new pets and dogs. These animals should be amiable and adequately vaccinated. Most Adult dogs are friendly, but some can try to control your puppy.

If you notice any sign of dominancy, Step away from the dog and take your puppy out of the situation where he can feel uncomfortable.

With adult Dogs, the story can be a little different because it depends on where you took him and his past life.

If you have rescued a German Shepherd Dog, he can have his own story, and it is essential to ask your Shelter about it. Ask the Shelter if your Dog has been ever abused or treated in a wrong way.

Rescued Dogs are not a bad dog. All they need is a home and an Owner who can take care of them. Show patience with him and introduce him slowly to new people.

An Adult dog is not like a puppy. He is Very Big with His Big Body, and he can hurt someone. First, you have to understand the behavior of the Dog Then Start His Socialization process.

Ask your Family members to give him treats or feed him some of the days throughout the week. Ask them to play with him if possible.

What Should You Do

The German Shepherd is a good

If your German shepherd does start to growl at you then there are a few things you should do to reduce the chance of reinforcing the behavior as well as reducing the chance that youll be bitten.

However, you should ALWAYS consult a dog behaviorist when your dog is showing signs of aggression that you fear may escalate. In the meantime, however, you should do the following.

Stop Doing Whats Causing Them To Growl

Whatever youre doing to cause your german shepherd to growl stop doing it! Even if youre not doing anything wrong you need to avoid being bitten.

However, dont move away from them. Simply stop the behavior, but stay where you are until theyve calmed down. This way theyll associate you walking away with their relaxed behavior, not when theyre growling.

The only time to move away immediately is if you feel like theyre going to bite you.

Figure Out Why Theyre Growling At You

Once the situation has been diffused the next step is to figure out why your german shepherd is growling at you. In most cases, youll know the behavior you were doing that caused the growling to occur.

However, if you dont know why theyre growling, some common reasons include:

  • Trying to take their toy or move their food.
  • Prolonged eye contact.
  • Restraining them or pulling them while walking.
  • They dont like being groomed.
  • Theyve hurt themselves and youve agitated their injury.
  • Youve tried to physically move them from one place to another.

Dont Aggravate Them

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New German Shepherd Puppy Checklist And Things To Buy

It is important that your new puppy feels welcomed into their new home.; It is also important to know what to put in a puppys crate at night.; Some items are ok to be left with your puppy, and other items are more dangerous or will be destroyed.

This checklist will help you to know what to buy when getting a puppy.;;

How To Make German Shepherd Loyal To Multiple People

Some German Shepherd Dogs can Be Loyal To Only One person. But I will advise you to take some steps to make him attached to all your family.

  • Ask Your Family Members to spend some time with him: Your parents, wife or children can be busy with their work or school, etc. But ask them to spend a little time at least every day with Your Dog. For example, when they come home, they should give a treat to the dog or Play with him for 10 15 minutes at least.
  • Feed Him: Create a schedule and ask other members to feed the German Shepherd. For example, You Feed Him the Breakfast and Lunch, then ask your parents to serve him the dinner. The Next Day can be your wife to offer him the dinner, and the next day again, your brother or Child. It is a Great Way to let Your GSD Dog Know that everyone cares about him.
  • Involve your family in training: When You are training your dog, ask other family members to join you. There are several types of commands to teach the Dog, which can require the help of another person.
  • Try to play group Games: These types of games can be played with your dog and family. These are some of the critical things you can do to help create a great relationship between your family and German Shepherd. Dogs love to play, and they create a fantastic connection with people who play with them. After This article you can read this Blog Post about : What do German Shepherd Puppies Like To play with.
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    How Much Exercise Do They Need

    The German Shepherd is a working dog and requires a considerable amount of physical and mental exercise to stimulate them and keep them out of mischief. This is not a breed thats happy to be a couch potato. The best toys for German Shepherds are the ones that require physical activity and mental stimulation. We review the best dog toys and brain games to help you give your pup what they need.

    Its crucial to provide a long daily walk or, better yet, a run. Obedience training and games can also help stimulate this dogs active brain. These dogs love pack games like fetch or frisbee, which also serve well to tire them out.

    If you were wondering how fast can a German Shepherd run, the answer is up to 30 mph.

    Maybe you are also asking, do German Shepherds like water? Or can German Shepherds swim? While they are certainly capable of learning to swim, they dont always take to water naturally.

    If youre curious about how much exercise your dog gets daily, consider getting a dog activity tracker.

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