Do You Have Enough Time
German shepherds are good guard dogs, and they are exceptional at everything, but one thing they cannot deal with is being alone. If you are working a job or need to spend a significant amount of your time outside your home, then german shepherds are not for you.
German shepherds can easily get bored, and when no one is around, they can get irritated and start to display destructive behavior.
Although there is a lot of training that you can do to make your dog calm without you, staying away from any more than 7 or 8 hours can have a bad effect on your dog.
There are other methods like giving a toy to your dog to make him engage in an activity and keep him calm, but still, there are many factors that can make your german shepherd nervous and lash out.
Even when you are around, you need to give special attention to your beloved dog. The reason being that your german shepherd needs constant training and exercise.
The benefits of training are more diverse than just sit, stand, and eat commands. Like a little child, learning the ways of the world slowly, your dog also needs special attention from you to learn and grow.
Training is especially important when dealing with a german shepherd as they have a strong prey drive and can sometimes behave rashly, which cannot be afforded as it can be harmful to you or your family.
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.
German Shepherds Need Training And Exercise
German Shepherds arent the sort of dog breed that loves lying on the couch all the time. They are large in both size and activity. If they get bored then they are known to become loud and destructive.
Training is a great activity to do with your German Shepherd. It not only helps to ensure they behave correctly but also keeps them entertained and can provide good exercise. Especially if you do training such as agility training.
When thinking about training your German Shepherd to remember that police forces throughout the world use German Shepherds for a wide variety of tasks, which helps to show their flexibility to training.
Wherever possible try to choose training that also exercises them. Similarly to humans exercise not only helps keep them physically well but also mentally well.
If you havent trained a dog previously then it is worth looking into local dog training facilities. Most dog training facility provide classes that you can sign up for, where a qualified trainer will walk a class of dogs and fur parents through training of your dog. A great added benefit of these classes is that you will meet like other local fur parents who have a love for dogs.
Classes also provide a great way for you to socialize your German Shepherd. By introducing them to new dogs and different environments you will be able to train them on how you expect them to behave in that situation and also to help them understand that they dont need to be afraid of other dogs.
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+ Pros And Cons Of Owning A German Shepherd
Having all the qualities that people want in their furry little friend and more is something that has made this breed be among the top breeds in the world and number one in terms of popularity.
This breed can also be helpful for someone who is adopting a dog for the first time.
However, some people like to do all their research before they make any decision, and so if you are among them, here is a list of GSD pros and cons that will help you make the right decision.
The Pros And Cons Of Owning A German Shepherd
German Shepherd ownership is something that many of us think about, that is if we do not already own one. In this article, we will take a look just why so many of us choose to make a GSD part of our family, as well as some reasons why a GSD may not be the right fit for you.
It is very important to understand if a German Shepherd is the right breed of dog for you. Owning will will most certainly be life altering. Whether this change is for the better or the worse is entirely dependent on your understanding of your own limitations as well as what a GSD needs in terms of love, care, and maintenance.
Lets begin by introducing some basic bullet points of understanding about German Shepherds.
- They need above average amounts of exercise.
- They require a significant time commitment.
- They are relatively expensive dogs to own/maintain.
- They are considered a dangerous breed in some jurisdictions.
- They require a lot of space.
- They do not like to be left alone.
- They require diligent socialization or may become aggressive.
- They can become destructive if not given adequate attention.
Alright, now that you have a general overview of the pros and the cons, we will from here on take a closer look at some of the more significant aspects of German Shepherds that will help you to determine whether or not a GSD is the right fit for you and your family.
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German Shepherds With Other Pets And Children
Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but German Shepherds can be nervous of strangers so make sure theyre never left unsupervised around young children.
Socialising your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age is best. They do have a tendency to be a little dominant with other dogs as they get older but this is unlikely to be a problem once properly socialised. Training and specialise behavioural therapy can be of use if this does become a reality.
German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. If they havent grown up with a cat or other smaller pets, though, they may have the urge to chase them so any introductions later in life should be done very carefully.
Give Your German Shepherd A Job At Home
Did you know there are over 150 breeds listed in the American Kennel Club and hundreds more listed in a variety of rare-breed registries around the world
Yet the German Shepherd is consistently ranked in the top 3 for intelligence?
This represents big challenges as a German Shepherd owner.
You must be smarter than your dog!
The German Shepherds activity is seldom aimless, so you must generate a plan and purpose for your dog! Thats why you need to give your dog a job around your house.
No, theyre not going to herd your neighbors kittens or start dropping your kids off at school by themselves. But the jobs can be as easy or difficult as you have the time and energy to train.
This is not a mentally lazy dog, but a breed with extremely high intelligence and a huge breadth of application for that intelligence.
Heres some of my German Shepherds favorite jobs around the house:
- Puzzle Master She completes food puzzles for her reward
- Toy Cleaner Ive taught her to pick up her toys using this game-based dog training program
- Gentle Agility My GSD is older now and we use low poles for her agility training
Check out even more work for your dog to enjoy using my post on 10 Jobs for German Shepherds at Home
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German Shepherds And Children
Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children.
Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds can be nervous of strangers so make sure theyre never left unsupervised. Be careful if you are introducing a German Shepherd to younger children or adults unfamiliar with the breed as they often dont know their own strength.
German Shepherds Are Healthy
German Shepherd are one of the healthiest dog breed. They can live to up to 13 years if they are properly cared for. German Shepherds love to exercise, thus they are free from weight problems. German Shepherds are prone to several health risks such as hip and elbow dysplasia which later lead to arthritis, degenerative myelopathy and others diseases, but the risk of suffering from these diseases is greatly reduced if proper nutrition and veterinary care are given.
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When Meeting New People
Take meet and greets slowly to avoid developing stress and anxiety-related problems. Dont force your dog to accept new people if theyre not interested.
- Tell your visitors to not reach for your dog let the dog come to the visitors on their own accord.
- If they dont go to the new person, the new person should just ignore the dog.
- After the dog has met and sniffed the visitor, suggest to the visitor they softly touch the side of the dogs neck or side of the shoulder, rather than the top of the head.
- Patting the top of the dogs head may cause stress in some dogs as this gesture might look like a dominance attempt. It can be a challenge to some dogs and frightening to others.
Meet all different types of people:
- varying races
- elderly, with walkers or canes
- people in wheelchairs
- bike and scooter riders
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.
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German Shepherds Chew Like Beavers
This GSD owner has given their puppy the right thing to chew, a toy instead of their owners fingers and feet!
Sadly, it is often the dog that owners blame or punish when their dogs behavior is inappropriate.
Biting and chewing are natural instincts for dogs and puppies.
These actions provide them with opportunities to investigate the different amounts of pressure to use in relation to the purpose of their biting.
Puppies run into trouble generally because the owner has unintentionally triggered unwanted responses, perhaps by playing rough with their hands or letting their dogs chew their fingers because it was cute . Your job as their new owner is to help your pup understand and educate them on what is appropriate to bite, nip, and chew.
Use these tips to stop a puppy from biting and nipping you:
- When they bite too hard or at all say ouch or anything you usually say when you get hurt. This teaches them your signal and cue.
- This also lets your biting puppy know theyve used too much pressure and should let go or ease up on their bite.
- They should let go or look a bit startled.
- Follow their release with praise or a tasty treat when your dog stops the unwanted behavior.
- Do NOT physically punish your dog! Instead, redirect them to a proper chew toy.
Sometimes puppys teethe and their gums are sore and need something to chew. Other times adult German Shepherds have a desire and natural urge to bite for relaxation and to reduce anxiety.
Instead of your hands and fingers!
Look For Signs Of Abuse Or Neglect
Any sign of abuse or neglect must be considered you want to know if you are bringing home a puppy that has been through trauma. Take a look at the breeder and at the location where the puppies have lived for the last few weeks. If there is something there that causes you any reason for concern, then it is best to look somewhere else.
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There Should Be Enough Space For The Breed
Space is one requirement that all dogs have. The important thing to note here is that due to their size German Shepherd dog needs more space than a smaller breed such as a beagle. If you dont allow them to have the necessary space for them to exercise and run around then youre likely to find that develop behaviors such as chewing on furniture or excessive barking.
They will have to move, run, or exercise so there should be enough space for them. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy then understand that it is going to be a grown-up big.
If this is going to be your first dog then it may be worth dog sitting someone elses dog of a similar size in your home to get a feel for how they will cope. Owners of similar-sized adult dogs will be able to guide you on how they may cope in your home.
The long-haired German Shepherd puppies have a really thick tail. While they will move around in your house they wont necessarily be aware of what their tail may hit. Keep the fragile items at your home at a certain height that is not reachable by the dog and not going to fall over should they be knocked by the dog.
Another issue that people usually face is that dogs have the habit of chewing things. Beware if you have dolls or soft toys at your home as they will be an easy target for the German Shepherd dog and your child may not appreciate that. If there is enough space then the German Shepherd will be free to roam around and their minds can be diverted to playing.
German Shepherds Of Instagram
German Shepherds have a very distinctive look that make them the perfect camera subjects. Youll find a lot of Instagram accounts with the most popular ones having nearly half a million followers. Check out some of our favourites below.
See how we can help cover your pets from injuries and illnesses.
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Bringing Your Puppy Home
- Coming home: Encourage your new puppy to lie down and sleep to lessen the shock of the car ride.
- The vet: Take him to the vet within 24 hours of bringing him home, even if he has passed a vet’s inspection at a shelter.
- Potty training: When you get your puppy home, take him or her to the right place for dogs to relieve themselves. Praise the puppy highly when he goes in the right place. Keep using that place for toilet training and use verbal commands. Small puppies have small bladders. They will need to go outside to try and toilet every two hours until they are about six months old when they can start holding their bladders for seven hours. German Shepherd puppies usually walk in circles sniffing when they need to go. When a puppy has an accident, he is not trying to be bad. He often just can’t hold it. However, once they learn, it’s learned.
- Getting spayed or neutered: You can help the training process along by getting the puppy spayed or neutered. Mentally, neutered dogs stay more like puppies and are more comfortable letting you make the big decisions. They also avoid a lot of health problems this way.
In time, with lots of patience, daily handling, and attention, your German Shepherd puppy will be a canine ambassador. Your friends, neighbors, and even total strangers will appreciate you for taking the time and responsibility to train your dog well.
What Kind Of Temperament Does German Shepherds Have
People left the movie theatres after watching I am Legend crying over the death of Sam, a German Shepherd dog, that is the best friend and only companion to Will Smiths character Neville.
Then people fell in love with German Shepherds again when The Lucky One was released and Zeus, an adorable and highly intelligent German Shepherd, showed the real potential and personality of these amazing dogs.
But prospective dog owners around the world want to know what it is really like owning a German Shepherd. What kind of temperment to these dogs really have?
German Shepherds have A LOT of amazing qualities, but as in all things, great qualities come with great responsibilities. Sorry for the re-worded pun, but German Shepherds really do come with a lot of responsibilities. Even though they are so cute and are great.
If people had hearts like German Shepherds, the world would be full of love, loyalty, and head tilting.lots of head tilting.
One of the biggest traits that German Shepherds are known for thier high level of intelligence. Because of how smart these dogs are they have been used in military and police forces time and time again throughout the world.
They were the stars of both World War I and World War II bringing supplies fearlessly through open rang having to avoid land mines and all in order to bring the Germans the supplies they needed. Whether the supplies were military or food based.
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