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What Do German Shepherds Like To Do For Fun

German Shepherds Swimming Safety Tips

Do German Shepherd like the cold weather??

Remember, safety should always be your number one priority. Herere some safety swimming tips to keep in mind while teaching your dog to swim:

  • Always be your dogs lifeguard. Never leave them unattended while in the water, especially during their first few swimming lessons.
  • You should always make your dog wear a dog life jacket when swimming. It will give you extra confidence knowing that they are safe even if they swim a bit far from you.
  • Keep the first few swimming lessons short so that your German shepherd doesnt get overtired.

Tone The Energy Down With Beneficial Activities

German Shepherds are considered to be high energy dogs. If they dont get the mental and physical stimulation they need, destructive behavior ensues.

You might find your favorite leather loafers riddled with teeth punctures or your yard suddenly pock-marked by custom doggie-dug holes.

One of the responsibilities of being a dog owner is ensuring poochie gets plenty of daily exercise to prevent bad behavior.

For the German Shepherd, this means more activity than the average- at least one hour per day. And, youll need to get creative! This breed likes a brain challenge as well as pushing the bodys limit.

Here are our suggestions:

  • Exercise together by taking long jogs or walks
  • Set up a training obstacle course in your backyard
  • Play with high-quality toys that prevent destructive behavior, such as chewing
  • Take her to the dog park to socialize with other dogs
  • Having a big, fenced-in yard for her to run around and explore freely is a big plus

Would They Make A Good Pet

Due to the calm, loyal, and patient nature of German Shepherd dogs, easy adaptability, they are considered good as house dogs. They have a caring temperament, high intelligence level, loyalty for their owners, the perfect qualities one needs in a pet dog. These dogs respect their owners and would protect them with their lives as seen in many life instances. They make wonderful, energetic companions and can be taught to do almost anything. Female German Shepherds may have less tolerance than male German Shepherds towards other family dogs.

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How Do You Know Your German Shepherd Loves You

Common ways that they will show their love for you will include wagging their tails when you come home, bringing you things, looking to you for direction or making eye contact with you. There are actually many ways that a German Shepherd will show its love for you and I will show you 13 of them below.

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German Shepherds Arent Natural Swimmers

German Shepherd puppy 10 months old

Historically, German Shepherds were a breed whose role was herding and protecting livestock. They eventually became popular as guard dogs. That said, their purpose never involved water or swimming.

So, despite being physically equipped for swimming, its just not in their DNA to be a perfect swimmer!

The German Shepherd breed is not one we commonly associate with water as they were not bred to be in the water. But, a good example of dog breeds comfortable with water are Labrador Retriever and Poodle.

Sure you can try to train your German Shepherd to swim. But, success is not guaranteed! There is a 50/50 chance it will work out. And if it doesnt work out, your dog will not exactly want to go anywhere near water!

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What Are The Best Toys For German Shepherds

As a working dog, the GSD likes to have a job to do or something to occupy her time. Thats why youll want to choose toys that are durable, mentally stimulating and fun. It doesnt hurt to have some comfort toys for long hours in the crate!

These are the different types of German Shepherd dog toys we recommend:

  • Tug toys: They are made to be strong and long-lasting for hardcore biting and tugging. This is a great option for puppies, as tug toys strengthen teeth.
  • Puzzle/interactive: These toys are made to challenge a dog mentally and often incorporate treats as a reward.
  • Teething/chew: Indestructible and made from thick rubber or plastic, this is a great German Shepherd puppy toy and beneficial for dental health.
  • Soft/plush: These toys are for comfort. Go for a plush toy with no stuffing to prevent swallowing.
  • Training toys: These will keep your GSD physically and mentally stimulated great for puppies learning to obey commands. You can also take a look at our training guide, specifically designed for this breed.

Want to build your own German Shepherd obstacle course, but need some inspo? Check out this video for ideas.

Theyve Been Trained To Sleep Next To People

Perhaps you got the dog as a puppy, when it was small and cuddly and an irresistible sleeping companion. Or maybe you adopted it from a shelter, and its previous owners allowed it to sleep in their beds from day one.

Whatever the reason, if the dogs first impulse is to jump onto your bed, theres a good chance that its been conditioned to do so.

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Do German Shepherd Like Water Can They Swim

The German Shepherd is known to be a guard dog. But, people are opening up to the idea of keeping one as a companion dog. So, when wanting to include a German Shepherd in family activities, the question do German Shepherd like water, comes up.

So do German Shepherd dogs like water and can they swim?

Some German Shepherds like water and like to swim while others hate water altogether! This is because each dog is different and swimming capability depends on their bringing up.It also depends on their exposure to water during puppyhood.

  • References
  • Fun Indoor Games For Dogs

    5 things you should do with your German Shepherd

    When bad weather hits, it can be a challenge to provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation to burn off the boundless energy of active dogs. During these times, dogs often become restless, which may lead to the boredom blues or the type of destructive behaviors youve worked hard to train your dog to avoid.

    A little preplanning can go a long way to help keep dogs from getting bored while allowing them to have some fun. Indoor activities are also great on days that youre too busy to take your dog for a walk or just not feeling well. Some fun indoor games for dogs include.

    1. Indoor strength training

    Provide your dog with a challenge and improve coordination with indoor strength training. Teach your dog to stand on a balance or wobble board, step over canine cavaletti poles, or balance on paw pods. Teaching your dog to do these activities will stimulate the mind and work their muscles. These exercises may not be safe for all dogs or senior dogs but some can be modified, such as placing cavaletti poles on the ground rather than having a dog jump over them.

    2. Indoor walks

    3. Canine calisthenics

    4. Find it

    5. Do chores

    6. Tricks and Tugs

    7. Teach your dog to dance

    A great way to wrap up your indoor game sessions and let your dog know its time to relax is by sitting down with your dog and ending the games with a canine massage. Your dog will thank you for it.

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    Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way

    If you havent trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether its barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.

    The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.

    With Brain Training For Dogs youll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog wont listen, youll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, thats given proven results. Not to mention the fact, youll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.

    So instead of worrying about whether theyre going to be well-behaved or not, youll only have to worry about how much fun youll have with them!

    And in most cases its still going to be:

    • Cheaper than hiring a professional.
    • Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
    • And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.

    Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether theyll be naughty or not. Instead, youll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOURE NOT.

    Showing Them A Magic Trick

    Hot & Cold

    Obedience Fetch

    Next Trick

    Big Or Small

    Active Dogs Need Exercise

    Additionally, dogs that are speedy and athletic like German Shepherd dogs need significant amounts of exercise. Pent-up energy leads to major destructive tendencies, including chewing through doors and walls and digging holes in your yard.

    Now, before we scare you off from the breed completely, its important to understand that a well-trained shepherd who gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is a pleasure to own. These dogs have a reputation that lands makes them a favorite of dog owners all around the world. Ask anyone who has owned one. Youll hear more stories of pure affection and loyalty than the horror stories of one untrained.

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    Do German Shepherds Like To Swim

    In general, every German shepherd has the potential to learn to swim and stay afloat, but whether or not they like to swim is another issue. Some GSDs like to swim, and some dont. And this applies not only to German shepherds but to all dogs.

    Some German shepherds are afraid of water, which is the reason why some GSDs dont like to swim.

    What Type Of Water Is Best For Your German Shepherd

    Do German Shepherds Like Water?

    When youre allowing your German Shepherd to swim, you must consider the kind of water he swims in. When your pet is learning how to swim, then its a good idea to start him off in freshwater as your German Shepherd may swallow a lot of water.

    Swallowing fresh water may not be harmful to your pet however, if he ends up swallowing too much chlorinated water from the swimming pool or saltwater from the sea, then he could become sick.

    Saltwater is the worst option for your dog because not only is it difficult for your pet to swim in the ocean, the salt can cause poisoning, resulting in dehydration, swelling in the brain and seizures.

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    Can German Shepherds Swim Do German Shepherds Like Water

    Can German Shepherds Swim?

    Yes, German Shepherds can swim. However, unlike many other dog breeds, swimming does not come naturally for a German Shepherd. Instead, the dog needs to be subjected to proper training for him to emerge as an adept swimmer.

    This means that a German Shepherd swimming ability depends on how rigorous and vigorous the trainings are.

    But even though the dog is not a natural swimmer, the saving grace is that are renowned for their athletic ability and ease of training.

    They easily obey commands and have a memory sharp enough not to easily forget the swimming skills imparted on them.

    Of course, these skills need to be imparted when the dogs are still young as then, they are far easier to train than adult dogs.

    This post shall delve deeper into the swimming ability of a German Shepherd and how you can effectively assist the dog in honing his swimming abilities.

    The Average Lifespan Of A German Shepherd

    The average lifespan of a dog generally depends on its lineage. It also decides upon the type or kind of health problems that one might encounter in their life span, as they grow older. Their average lifespan is important for owners to understand as their diet and lifestyle greatly influence it. Dog owners should be sure to maintain their German shepherd age chart to understand their different diet needs, and overall health, while consulting an expert vet for it.

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    The Mad Scientist Game

    To watch your GSD perform their mad scientist routine youll need this dog chemistry setwhich is a fun, interactive toy!

    This game really gets an active Shepherd moving and keeps them occupied!

    • Setup the mad scientist game by selecting which level of challenge your dog needs.
    • Show your dog that flipping and turning the plastic beakers release treats. Encourage them to try on their own.
    • Let your dog paw and spin the beakers as the kibble drops and watch happiness light upon their faces!

    Keep In Mind The Definition Of A Good Job For Your German Shepherd Is:

    DO GERMAN SHEPHERD LIKE SWIMMING?
    • 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.

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    Zig Zag Your German Shepherd Dog Puppy

    Running with your dog in a zig-zag way is a very fun game to play. This makes your dog and you bond better with each other.

    • Encourage your dog to engage with you on a one to one basis.
    • Then start running and dart left to right and maybe start reversing your direction while he is following you.
    • Your German Shepherd Puppy will love it and he will try to intuit what you are going to do next.

    Playing this game with your puppy will refresh his mind and make him extremely happy.

    Can German Shepherds Swim In Swimming Pools

    One of the benefits of a swimming pool is it allows you complete supervision over your dog. However, there is a downside as well. If your pool is chlorinated, it can strip your dogs coat of its natural oils and lead to dry, irritated skin.

    But there are ways to pool-proof your dogs coat so they can enjoy a relaxing swim. Which a German shepherd would certainly appreciate in the summer.

    Tips to pool-proof your German shepherd include:

    • Spray their coat with a canine conditioner before they swim. This can lock in some moisture.
    • Rinse off afterward. If you get the chlorinated water out of their coat it can minimize its effects.
    • Comb out any tangles and provide a thorough brushing once a week to remove any residual chlorine.
    • Dry out those ears. Keeping your German shepherds ears dry is important no matter where they have been swimming.

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    Teach Your Dog To Tackle A Funnel

    Dogs are crazy about this game. This is a very easy way to have fun with your Dog. In this game, you can involve also other friends.

    • Take some large boxes
    • Open the bottoms and the top of the boxes and lay them down and put them together to form a Tunnel.
    • Make a small tunnel in the beginning because your Puppy has to be used to it.
    • Lead your dog through the tunnel and go on the other side and call him.
    • Give him a treat when he comes to you.

    Why Do German Shepherds Need A Job At Home

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    I have seen more German Shepherds with behavior problems than other breeds. And in most cases, the reason for these behaviors was caused by a lack of stimulation and exercise in their daily lives.

    Not to mention, a lack of breed-specific German Shepherd activities.

    You could hire a dog walker to give your dog some extra attention, or

    You could spend more time bonding with them by getting involved in some fun German Shepherd job training!

    Give your German Shepherd a brain training program and the right type and kind of physical exercise for the German Shepherd Dogbreed to keep them satisfied in their lives.

    Good jobs for German Shepherds at home give both you and your dog an emotional boost that makes you feel happier for spending time with your dog while keeping them healthy and strong.

    Jobs to give your German Shepherd arent optional!

    They need a job because that is what they were bred to do

    Work!

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    What To Do If Your German Shepherd Doesnt Like To Swim

    Try to determine the reasons for which your German Shepherd doesnt like to swim. Getting to the root of the problem will make it much easier for your dog to learn and love swimming.

    Try to find out the answer of questions related to his past such as:

    • Has there been a traumatic experience in the past related to water with your German Shepherd?
    • Does your German Shepherd have a medical condition that makes swimming hard for them?
    • Is it too cold outside for your German Shepherd?

    Wheres Your Dinner Game

    Last but certainly not least, another fun way that you can help to make your German Shepherds daily routine more interesting and engaging is by hiding his food and making him search around the house for it.

    Your German Shepherd is no doubt already used to having his food given to him in the same bowl and location every day, so this game is sure to pique his interest! Follow the steps below:

    As your German Shepherd gets the gist of the game, you will then find that you are able to say to him Wheres your dinner? and he will instantly begin sniffing around your home trying to locate his delicious food.

    As a slight alternative, you could even put treats inside a toy to give to your German Shepherd.

    This is ideal for German Shepherds of all ages, although it is especially ideal for older German Shepherds that arent as active as they used to be, or even for German Shepherd puppies who need some help channeling their energy throughout their day.

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