Where Can You Get A German Shepherd

Caring For Your German Shepherd

German Shepherds are fantastic dogs and its easy to see why they are such a popular breed. However their size and strength means they arent suited to all families and need a lot of space to burn off their energy. Youll need to make sure you have a lot of time to spend with these dogs and you are committed to providing for their exercise needs every day.

German Shepherd Purebred Puppy

If you want a purebred puppy, do your research about the difference between working-line and show-line German Shepherds.;You may be surprised to learn that theres a large difference within the GSD breed between dogs who are bred to work and dogs who are bred to win show ribbons. This can be a touchy subject for some, but in general, I feel that the bottom line is this: Working-line dogs are sounder and healthier because they are bred to do a job. Show-line dogs are just bred to look pretty and meet the sacred breed standard, which has morphed into requiring these horribly exaggerated hocks and back lines, which puts a strain on the hips and wreck the dogs gait.

This post is a great introduction;to the topic of working-line vs. show-line German shepherds, and its an excellent place to start. Theres also working-line breeder Christine of;Blackthorn Kennels, whose shepherds;even compete in herding. The downside of a working-line dog is that they are INTENSE, and they can be unsuited for a quiet urban or suburban lifestyle. Start researching how to determine what kind of GSD suits you and your family.

Our foster German Shepherd Puppy Trina.

Positive Reinforcement Produces Positive Results

Your German Shepherd will respond best to training with positive reinforcement. Yelling or physical punishment will cause this intelligent breed to mistrust you.

Reward good behavior with treats or praise or both. Its the best way to show your German Shepherd that hes doing it right and its a motivator for him to continue with this behavior.

Remember earlier when I said that your German Shepherd actually wants to please you?

Well, once your dog has mastered the behavior, you can remove the treats and reward only with praise hell relish in it all the same.

You know by now that there are heaps of different training programs. Each program has a specific focus, function, and outcome.

Well take a closer look at some of these in future posts. So, for now, lets look at two basic programs

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Clearing Up A False Positive

The USDA also put to rest the possibility that another dog, a pug named Winston, had become the first dog to test positive in the U.S. Researchers at Duke University announced in late April that they had detected the virus in Winstons saliva after his owners tested positive for COVID-19. The story went viral. Subsequent USDA testing, however, found that Winston had not contracted the virus.

John Howe, president of the AVMA, told the New York Times on Wednesday that Winston could have licked something or someone with the virus, causing him to test positive, but that did not mean that the virus was in his bloodstream or his respiratory tract, which would have made him infected. A dog can have the virus in their mouth, but not in their system, he said.

The Duke University research team announced Winstons positive result before the USDA had conducted confirmation testing. The announcement was widely reported in media and on social media, with headlines stating that the pug was the first dog to test positive for coronavirus in the U.S. By contrast, the Bronx Zoo held back from announcing the first tigers positive test until after the USDA had confirmed the result.

A key insight may be that reporting positive tests in animals before cases are officially confirmed can lead to confusion, among both media and the public.

Researchers on the Duke study, had not responded to a National Geographic request for comment by publication time.

The History And Origin Of The German Shepherd Dog

Other names for the;German Shepherd Dog

Alsatian

The;German Shepherd Dog;is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany in 1899. As part of the;Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in police and military roles around the world.

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Bone And Joint Problems

A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in German Shepherd Dogs. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. With diligent observation at home and knowledge about the diseases that may affect your friend’s bones, joints, or muscles, you will be able to take great care of him throughout his life.

Where Would You Get A German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds make great dogs because they are athletic and energetic, and they bond well with their parents. Many people are familiar with the German Shepherd breed because of its high trainability as a search and rescue dog or a police dog. When deciding between German Shepherd puppies for sale, certain health and breed criteria should be considered. Before purchasing every dog, you can have an introductory consultation with the puppy you are considering purchasing. Take note of how the puppy responds to your voice and touch. The puppy should be friendly and ready to meet new friends.

To see more; go to www.officialgermanshepherdguide.com

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How Do German Shepherd Dogs Mate

When the female tells that she is ready by flagging, a German Shepherd dog will mount the Female.;

You will be surprised to know that a German shepherds penis does not get hard before entering the female.

He penetrates with the help of a narrow bone called baculum.

The penis will get erected once it is entirely inside the female. Then it gets locked while the ejaculation is released. This process can take up to 20 minutes.

Is Aggression Between German Shepherds Easy To Overcome

In some cases, aggression has its roots in two intact dogs of the same gender having problems. These types of disputes have their origins in sexual frustration. However, there is a remedy in the form of having one or both dogs spayed or neutered.

According to Hunter Reed, neutering can help eliminate aggression, especially in the case of two males.

Aggression between two German Shepherds can be terrifying, considering the size that most of these dogs reach. Even though steps like trying and having the dogs altered can make a difference, aggression between the two could occur at some point.

Dogs this size who start fighting can inflict injury on each other or anyone who tries to stop the fight. Knowing how to stop a row in a way that reduces the threat of harm is essential.

When your dogs have difficulty getting along, it is vital that you know how to deal with the situation. Any number of circumstances can lead to dogs fighting, from quarrels over food to fights over toys.

If your dogs have a disagreement, you need to know how to eliminate the problem in a positive way that reduces the possibility of injury. Having taken steps to introduce your dogs properly will reduce the likelihood of the fight being drawn-out.

Use one of your diversionary techniques to get both dogs attention, taking their attention away from each other. Remove whatever is triggering their hostility, such as food or a toy. Separate the two dogs to give them time to calm down.

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German Shepherds Are Members Of The Herding Group

So, if you own this breed, youre no stranger to a nose nudging you. Whether its a nose in the back, a nose on your leg, or even a nose in your face, your dog is just doing what comes naturally. Although this breed isnt often used to herd anymore, that herding heritage remains. So, along with the herding traits of independent thinking and intelligence, its perfectly normal for your GSD to herd human family members. Your dog might also show following ahead behavior walking in front of you while looking back to ensure youre walking in the right direction.

Heidelberg German Shepherds Texas

The German Shepherds that are bred in Heidelberg are physically exceptional compared to other shepherds. They are slightly larger in size and are deep-chested, which is exactly stated in the AKC German Shepherd standards.

This German Shepherd breeder boasts about the temperament of their pups. They claim their shepherds to be loving and sweet to human children and other pets while maintaining their protective traits.

Heidelberg Shepherds can be trained into working dogs, companion dogs, and show dogs.

Testimonies from customers have proven the intelligence and courage of the Heidelberg Shepherds as companions and working dogs. Many of which are stories of life and death situations where the shepherds acted as heroes.

On the other hand, Heidelberg Shepherds who are trained to be show dogs also show excellent performance as 170 of them have already won in dog competitions.

Heidelberg has complete boarding and training facilities expanding through a 20-acre property situated in the Town of Spring, Texas. The open field is spacious enough for playtime and training.

A lake is also situated in a shady part of the breeding facility where shepherds swim as their runs are cleaned and disinfected. There are also climate-control kennels where shepherds are housed when the weather is unfavorable.

Heidelberg German Shepherds Breeder Information and Details:

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Other Remedies For Hip Dysplasia Pain

For less severe cases of hip dysplasia, a veterinarian may recommend one or more of these treatment options:

• Physical therapy to improve muscle strength to stabilize the joint
• Hydrotherapy which uses water to aid in healing
• Diet changes for better nutrition or weight loss
• Exercise restriction to avoid worsening the condition
• Anti-inflammatory and other medications for pain relief

Getting To Know The German Shepherd Dog Breed

In the late 1800s, Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, while studying at the Berlin Veterinary School, became interested in the herding dogs that were being used throughout Germany. But instead of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine or his dream as a gentleman farmer, he relented to family pressure and joined the military.

As a cavalry officer in the German countryside, Von Stephanitz came to admire the sheep-herding dogs he encountered. He noticed their keen intelligence and lightning-fast responsiveness as well as their special abilities to herd sheep. In Germany, flocks of sheep are moved from their pens to open areas along the road where they can pasture. The dogs job is to keep the sheep on the grassy roadside, away from fast-moving cars and out of a farmers crops. This kind of sheep herding is very demanding and is called tending or boundary herding.; The AKC offers a sport called Herding C course. It mirrors this kind of boundary work or as some call it the invisible fence.

His first efforts were to place emphasis on standardizing the many German flavors of herding dogs that were identifiable as sheepdogs. In the beginning, how they looked was of little importance. His emphasis remained on fixing the traits he considered central to producing the ultimate German herding farm dog.; Because the herding instinct and their working ability was not the issue, he focused on the upright ears and wolf-like body style that so many fanciers admired.

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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 To Stop German Shepherd Puppy Nipping And Biting

• Move your hand calmly and slowly from your puppy.
• Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy.
• Have plenty safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you.
• Dont participate in rough play using your hands, as this encourages nipping and biting.
• Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites.

This teaches your pup you dont like biting and nipping while offering them a positive alternative.

During play, work on the signal easy when your pup plays too rough. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets.

If they are still too rough, use a toy to show them whats acceptable to bite or remove yourself from playing for a few minutes. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure.

Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting and nipping you.

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Male Vs Female German Shepherd Physical Characteristics

Male German Shepherds weigh approximately 66 to 88 pounds. Larger than female GSDs, their height at the withers is typically around 25 inches.

Female German Shepherds are typically between the weight of 49 to 71 pounds, and their height at the withers is on average 23 inches. They are typically leaner, lighter, and have less of a stocky build than male GSDs.

Both genders most often have medium-length coats, though there are four different coat lengths within the breed.

Stock, Plush, and Long Stock Coat German Shepherds all have what is known as a double coat, which means that they have a top layer of hair that is dense, and a thick undercoat.

Long Hair Coat GSDs have a single coat of hair. This is caused by a recessive gene, thus making these dogs somewhat of a rare find.

What Is Hip Dysplasia

The hip joint consists of two parts: the socket on the pelvis and the ball on the femur. In hip dysplasia, a malformed socket doesnt allow the ball to sit deep inside.

This leads to instability, pain, and other symptoms which well cover in more details later.

Early intervention gives dogs with hip dysplasia the best chance at a long, comfortable life. So, if you have a dog breed that is prone to hip dysplasia, you need to look for symptoms to start managing the condition.

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Too Much Excitement Around Other Dogs

Another reason dogs attack one another is that one dog may have too much excitement or energy.

This means that the dogs are more prone to become overly aroused during initial meet-and-greets or even casual play.

When this happens, your German Shepherd may resort to showing aggressive behavior to calm the other dog or protect itself. Such behavior may present as nipping, lunging, growling, or even biting.

How Do You Get Your German Shepherd To Stop Aggression Toward Other Dogs

Preventing dog attacks is a priority to avoid any damage your German Shepherd may cause other dogs or the people around trying to stop the attack.

Consider the following to help your German Shepherd with better behaviors around other dogs.

• Counter Conditioning using treats and rewards to positively associate other dogs with good things your Shepherd likes and enjoys
• Desensitizationtraining having your German Shepherd around other dogs in short spurts to get them used to other dogs
• Shaping your dogs behavior rewarding tiny steps toward good behaviors
• Training competing behaviors teaching your dog basic commands so you have a different behavior that competes with their aggression or attacking;
• Visiting your vet a checkup can rule out any underlying medical conditions
• Finding an animal behaviorist a dog behaviorist can help you build a program to treat the aggression
• Getting the right exercise aggressive dogs do better with their behaviors when their physical fitness needs are met

Its important to remember to stay calm and to not yell, jerk, or cause your dog any more anxiety than they already have around your other dog.

Instead, stay focused on signs that your dog is about to become aggressive to other dogs or attack them.

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