German Shepherd Dogs Are Known For Their Versatility
If you need any job done, just ask your dog. GSD owners understand their dogs were developed as working dogs. In fact, the ideal German Shepherd has a body and gait suited to the hard work that is considered its primary purpose. This means your dog can excel at almost anything. From dog sports like rally, agility, scent work, therapy work, to service dog work, German Shepherds can do it all. The only thing holding your dog back is the time and energy you can commit to training. Its no wonder people always think your dog is a service or police dog.
What Are The Best Treats For German Shepherds
Many dog owners give treats and snacks. Dog treats dont have to follow AAFCO standards, which means they may not contain the proper nutrients in their correct ratios. Lets just say many dog treats on the market will provide hardly any nutritional value at all for your dog! So what are the best treats for German Shepherds?
The best treats for German Shepherds are those carefully formulated for dogs and contain high-quality, nutritious ingredients. They should be low in fat and calories and free of additives, chemicals, and coloring. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dogs total daily calories.
There are some excellent good high-quality treats on the market. However, some can be quite expensive, so shop around.
However, Im happy to pay that bit more if it means my GSD stays healthy and happy. Willow loves her Guru venison sausages, as you can see from the below photo . She also enjoys Blue Buffalo Health Bars, which you can get on Amazon or any good pet store.
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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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Where To Adopt Or Buy A German Shepherd
If you think you’d like to adopt a German shepherd, start by contacting one of the following organizations:
These groups will be able to provide guidance and next steps for adoption as well as direct you to reputable breeders if you choose to go that route. The AKC also boasts a marketplace where you can inquire about AKC-registered litters that have been cared for and raised according to breed standards. While prices range, you can generally expect to pay around $1,000 for a German shepherd puppy, depending on sex, appearance, demand, and more.
What To Feed A German Shepherd
German Shepherds are considered the all-purpose working dog. They require a high-quality, age-appropriate diet to meet their nutritional needs. These diets are usually labeled puppy, adult, or senior. Any dog food that is labeled for all life stages should only be used for puppies, as they are not usually formulated for older dogs.
It is highly recommended that all dogs eat an Association of American Feed Control Officials -approved diet, which ensures that the ingredients meet established standards. Basic vitamins and mineral supplements are not needed if your dogs food is AAFCO-approved.
Offering table food and animal bones should be avoided, as they can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia, and they also have a much higher fat content than dog food. High-fat foods can also cause pancreatitis.
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How To Select The Right Puppy
First and foremost, verify that the puppy’s parents have good health and desirable temperaments. Then examine the puppy in terms of health and hygiene by checking the eyes, ears, teeth, skin, coat, paws, etc. Study the gait of your puppy it should be even. With German Shepherds, in particular, it is vital that you choose a pup that does not have undesirable traits.
Visit the breeder at least four to five times before making a decision. Choosing a pup from the litter that is neither the timidest nor the most dominant would be wise if you want a bit of both traits. A German Shepherd puppy that is well built, energetic and sociable would be ideal.
Next, to gauge the temperament of a puppy you want to select, you could perform a few simple tests, such as making eye contact with them. If they hold contact, it reflects confidence. It might be a sign of nervousness and anxiety if it looks away. Clapping your hands is another simple test. If the puppy runs away, it can be judged as timid, but it can signify that the pup wants to be friends if it approaches you.
Similarly, other tests include calling the puppy to pet it, introducing it to a new toy, making a sudden noise, lifting the puppy and holding it above your head, or grabbing its paw. The reaction of puppies to such actions can provide much-needed insight into a puppy’s temperament and help prospective dog parents make the right choice.
Common Reasons Dogs Chew Crate Pads
The first thing to check is whether the crate pad is too small for your dogs crate. It should be large enough to cover the entire floor of the crate and extend about six inches up the sides. If it doesnt, your dog may feel like he needs to chew on it in order to make his space more comfortable. If the crate pad is too small, you should buy a larger one or switch to using newspapers as bedding.
Another reason your dog may be chewing the crate pad is that hes bored and wants something to do. Dogs need regular exercise and mental stimulation in order to keep them happy give him chew proof crate pads.
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Finding A German Shepherd Breeder
The first step is to do your research. Sadly, there are many puppy mills posing as reputable breeders along with many online scams. Be aware, and reach out to different online forums for conversations about getting your future furry family member.
Be sure to ask questions, make arrangements to meet the parent dogs or mother, and follow your gut. If something seems wrong at a breeder you visit, or the German shepherd puppy seems too good to be true, theres likely something going on. The AKC also offers resources for finding a breeder, with fairly strict guidelines on who they let participate.
How Many Puppies Does A German Shepherd Have
Keep in mind that dog growth can be affected by genetics and environment, so take that into consideration when comparing your pup to the data in the German Shepherd growth chart. What is the normal size of a German Shepherd puppy? A German Shepherd dam will normally whelp between six and eight puppies.
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How To Take Care Of A German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherd dogs are known for their athletic capabilities, intelligence, and loyalty, making them one of India’s most sought after breeds. Dog lovers are enamoured by the German shepherd’s majestic appearance, intellect and guarding abilities.
If you have decided or have recently become a German Shepherd’s parent, you should be grateful to have such a loving and loyal companion who will stand by you no matter what in the years to come. However, parenting a German Shepherd is not an easy feat. Multiple factors need to be taken into consideration before you are confident that you will be able to provide for the needs of this dog.
Parenting a German Shepherd is a highly gratifying affair, but the first step is choosing your puppy and caring for it. It needs to be planned out carefully to ensure that you and your dog spend all your days enjoying maximum satisfaction. This article will run you down through all the crucial decisions and actions that must be taken, starting from whether you should parent a German Shepherd, all the way to how you can care for your puppy.
What To Look For When You Are Buying A German Shepherd Puppy
It is of paramount importance that you select your puppy carefully. Youll be spending the next 7 to 10 years with your German Shepherd, so its very important to know the type of Shepherd that you are looking for and exactly what to check. To that effect, weve created a checklist to help you to make the best decision when choosing your pup.
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Week 2 Training Your German Shepherd Puppy
Week 2 has arrived, and the fun has officially begun how are you progressing with training your German Shepherd puppy? This week, well focus on socialisation and habituation, with a particular emphasis on novelty and noises.
Training There are many new things to learn and teach your German Shepherd puppy, and they will devour everything.
Husbandry Yes, that coat is certainly in need of some TLC by now, so well go to work on that glossy mane.
| Socialisation exercises to do this week | Training to do this week | Husbandry Tasks to do this week |
| Fireworks |
- Introduce lead walking training
How Do I Socialise A German Shepherd Puppy And Why Is It Important
All puppies have a socialisation window. This is a sensitive period where theyre the most eager to learn about the world and make connections that affect how they view things, often for the rest of their lives.
Within this period of time, theres another one called the Fear Period. This is where puppies learn to interpret hazards for example, children, loud noises, or unfamiliar surfaces. In German Shepherds, the time they have to interpret these hazards is shorter than other breeds so you must socialise them early so you dont run into any trouble later. Studies say that German Shepherd puppies are more afraid of new objects and sounds than other breeds. Ironic isnt it, that theyre often in charge of saving us from danger.
Here are easy ways to socialise your German Shepherd puppy:
- Find out what your breeder is doing to socialise your puppy before they leave them good puppy socialisation programmes to send them are Puppy Culture and Avidog.
- Follow the exercises in this training article .
- Dont be afraid to take your puppy out before they are vaccinated, but do it safely! German Shepherd puppies get quite big and hefty, so why not be like Yogi Bear here and invest in a carriage for your puppy to keep them safe? Save your arms from working extra hard.
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Find Quality Sources Of Healthy Puppies
Where you get your GSD makes a significant difference in the dogs quality.
While there are many people advertising pups for sale, they arent always honest and ethical.
Why should you care where your dog comes from if you only want him as a pet companion?
Because you want to make sure the GSD you get acts and looks like a GSD. You want to get a dog that will live a long and healthy life from a source that has quality puppies.
Dont get caught accidentally buying a back-yard breeders sick dogs. These tips will help you make the best decision on what type of pup fits in your life.
Newspaper and Internet ClassifiedAds
Newspaper and internet ads are in abundance.
But with these sources, you never know what youre getting. Many backyard breeders hide behind ads online or in local papers.
But some breeders who use newspapers and classified ads are reputable and knowledgeable. The problem is you need to visit them to find out, and this can take time to sift through them all.
Try the following more reputable suggestions to save yourself time.
Dog Care Professionals
Ask dog professionals for recommendations.
Check with your local veterinarian, groomer, and boarding kennel personnel if they know reputable breeders in town. These professionals are good sources of quality leads.
Dont approach these leads as infallible. Use the same caution that you willfor a classified ad. Verify their suggestions.
Shelters and Rescue Groups
German Shepherd Sheds A Lot Of Hair
Shedding fur is something that you get with pretty much all breeds of dog. This is done to accommodate the changes in temperature and bringing in fresh hair. German Shepherd is often termed as German Shedders owing to the amount they shed, which given the amount of fur they have is, understandably, a lot.
You might know that the dog has a double coat of fur so it will automatically mean more shedding of hair. One option to try and keep the cleaning manageable is to limit your German Shepherd to only being able to go into certain areas of your house where you can clean up the hair easily.
One tip that we have seen dog owners use to keep the hair in their home under control is to use robot vacuum cleaners. You will still need to do a regular normal vacuum but this helps to keep it under control day to day.
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German Shepherd Rehoming Services
Our team of knowledgeable and experienced pet rehoming coordinators showcase adoptable German Shepherds for owners faced with difficult circumstances. No dog owner wants to be in the tough situation of having to give up their beloved companion, but life doesnt always cooperate with the best laid plans.
Whether its a situation of financial difficulty, an illness or disability, a divorce, severe pet allergies in the family, increased job demands, or other there are so many understandable reasons for rehoming a German Shepherd dog or puppy.
If you are facing this heartbreaking decision, get in touch with our German Shepherd rehoming team. We will be happy to speak with you and help find your dog the perfect home safely and with the least amount of stress for you and your dog. Fill out our rehoming intake form here, or give us a call toll-free at . Our empathetic team members are waiting to hear from you.
Where Are German Shepherd Dogs From
Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in 1899 of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd.
Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence.
During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. At the same time, the AKC changed the breeds name from German Sheepdog to Shepherd Dog, and Britain changed it to Alsatian Wolfdog, both attempts to dissociate the dog from its unpopular German roots.
The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. In 1931, the AKC restored the breeds name to German Shepherd Dog.
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Finding A Reputable Breeder
What Type Of German Shepherd Is Right For You
Coming to the type of German Shepherd that is right for you, this breed can be classified into two categories – work line type and show line type dogs. The differentiation is based on the heritage of the dogs of this breed and the purpose for which they were bred. Show lines were mainly bred for their look, colour and body type.
Work Lines were primarily bred for their health and personality rather than to look a certain way. The line you choose depends on what you really want to be doing with your German shepherd. Work lines should be chosen if you seek a family pet or want some type of function to be performed because this type is known for its trainability, knowledge and skill.
However, if you are more concerned with your dog’s appearance, then going after show lines might be more appropriate. It must be mentioned, though, that it is possible to find show line dogs with the same characteristics as work line dogs and vice versa if they have been bred by individuals who are concerned with their appearance as well as health.
Beyond work and show lines, age is another essential factor to consider. A good breeder would not offer puppies that are lesser than 8 weeks old as they still require their mother’s milk as well as other social skills. Puppies who have received this from their mothers will be less likely to engage in destructive and unruly behaviour.
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