Reward Them When They Dont Whine:
Make sure not to unintentionally reward them during a whine with anything positive such as food or a treat. This could end up reinforcing their whining because they may connect the two.
Instead reward them when they arent whining. This is assuming that they are whining at a specific time of the day like before a meal or to go get one of their toys.
This will teach them to be patient and the fact that they cant get anything they want at the drop of a hat with a whine. This will take some time and training but eventually it will pay off.
Assess Their Laying Spot
It seems that your German Shepherd doesnt trust the safety of his bed or lying spot. It will also circle the spot to ensure there are no vermin or harmful objects that will make your pets rest uncomfortable.
There is little scientific data to prove the above 3 examples except for the idea that dogs circle before lying down to make a nest. This small study of 62 dogs implied that dogs are more likely to circle before lying down when given a soft, uneven surface to make a temporary nest to sleep in.
How Much Time Should I Spend With My German Shepherd Puppy
Until your puppy is 69 months a 20 min break every 2 hours or so outside to pee and let off a little steam should be fine Some rough play, games of fetch, chasing the lure on a flirt pole All of those will give Puppo plenty of exercise A longer daily walk of 30 min or so twice a day would be HEAVEN for your pup
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Is It Better To Get A Male Or Female German Shepherd
Research shows that males German Shepherds are more aggressive than female German Shepherds. This means that a family should consider choosing a female for a companion over a male. Males tend to perform better for roles in protection and guarding and could do well in a home without children and the proper training.
Why Is Your German Shepherd Scratching So Much
As this thread on a popular German Shepherd owner forum highlights, it can sometimes be hard to tell if your dog is just doing minor self-care or cleaning or if the scratching is caused by something else.
You will probably struggle most to figure out which it is if you are new to owning a German Shepherd.
The longer you and your dog spend together, the more you will get familiar with your dogs regular routines and begin to notice if something in those routines changes.
For example, maybe your dog suddenly starts scratching intensely at a certain area on one paw. This isnt something you normally see your dog do, so it captures your attention.
You examine the paw more closely and see a flea clinging to the skin. This alerts you to the need for flea treatment. Soon your dog stops scratching the paw as the flea treatment begins to work.
In most cases, the reason your dog is scratching more than usual wont resolve itself on its own.
In fact, the more likely outcome is that the issue will get worse and the affected area of skin will become infected, requiring more serious treatment.
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Other Home Remedies For Itching
A completely natural way to treat your dog is through the use of apple cider vinegar. Use this as a rinse to alleviate symptoms of itching. Dilute it in a 1:1 ratio with purified water and put it into a bottle.
Wash your dog as normal with a mild castile soap and then rub the apple cider vinegar into their fur. Ensure all areas of their body are covered, paying close attention to their belly and legs.
Take care not to get the vinegar into their eyes as this will hurt them. Do not use this on open wounds or raw skin as it will burn and hurt your German Shepherd.
Do not rinse this off, instead allow it to air dry on their skin and fur. This can also be applied topically throughout the day to alleviate itchy hotspots.
It can also be used to clean out their ears and can be ingested for digestive issues. Apple cider vinegar is an anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial agent.
You may want to consider incorporating olive oil into their diet. Olive oil is high in vitamins K and E, as well as antioxidants.
These are all very beneficial for your dogs health and it is easy to just pour a tablespoon on top of their kibble. Do this 2 to 3 times per week to help alleviate itchiness and improve the quality of their fur.
Another good incorporation into their diet is plain yogurt. Take care to ensure that this is one that has no additives or sugar, as these will be bad for your dog.
It is also really useful as a human moisturizer and is delicious to boot.
Why Do German Shepherds Whine
So, why does my German Shepherd whine a lot? Common reasons include illness or injury, boredom, stress, fear, excitement and inadvertently reinforcing the behavior. There are actually a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might whine a lot and there are a number of things that you can do about it.
Why is my German Shepherd whining? The German Shepherd whines because it has an overwhelming need to protect the pack member, but it cannot do so in their absence. Whining for a reward. Your German Shepherd whines when it associates the behavior with a reward. For many people, the only way to make your dog stop whining is by giving it what it wants.
Do German Shepherds end up whining? As responsible pet owners, people should pay attention to what their dog is trying to say. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They arent usually whiners, but if they do end up whining, there are a few reasons behind it.
Why do dogs whine? Dogs whine to show you what they feel the most at the moment. These are some of the most common reasons why do dogs whines: To get attention. Feeling stress. Has low self-confidence. Feeling pain or sick. 1. Attention-Seeking Whining Being a social animal, dogs love to gain as much attention as they can from their dog owners.
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Uncomfortable Around Other Dogs
If your German Shepherd cries around other animals or dogs, it could just be because they are uncomfortable around them. Dogs are often uncomfortable around new dogs or people, so this is normal. They might also cry because they feel intimidated by other.
How to help German Shepherd Stop Crying Around Other Dogs/ People
If they continue to cry around other dogs, stay close with them and help introduce them to other dogs. This may be difficult if they are on walks or at a dog park. To help avoid this problem as they grow up, introduce your pet to new people and animals inside your home where they are comfortable.
Slowly introduce them to new people or animals on different days so they can become familiar with meeting new people. As they become familiar with meeting new people or animals, it will be easier when they go out in public. German Shepherds can be naturally protective, so it can be common for them to be a little weary of new people.
What Is Velcro Dog Syndrome
Velcro Dog syndrome is a phrase people use to describe the behaviour displayed by clingy breeds. It is not, however, full-blown separation anxiety and as a responsible pet owner, its a good idea to make sure you know the difference. So-called Velcro dogs will often: Follow you from room to room around the house.
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Try This To Solve #1 #3
For German Shepherds that have these three issues, its really a matter of getting them used to be alone.
Try to isolate them for short periods of time, even if its just in a separate room. Do this for longer and longer periods until your dog becomes more comfortable with separation.
This exercise will help them realize that theyre okay in isolation and that you and other family members always come back in one piece. It also helps in making them feel safe at home and confident enough to let their guard down and rest easy.
How To Stop Anxiety
Once youve identified the root cause of your Sheps anxiety, you can fix it by addressing any underlying medical issues with veterinary help, and addressing any behavioral issues with lifestyle changes and training.
Making sure your dog gets sufficient exercise, lots of social interaction, and plenty of mental stimulation with fun games and challenging toys will massively relieve their anxiety.
If your dogs anxiety is separation-related, build their confidence slowly by leaving the house for small periods of time and gradually increasing the length of time that you are gone. Introduce positive associations with alone time with solo-play toys like treat dispensers.
In fact, positive association training is ideal for any type of anxiety that has specific triggers, whether is separation-related or to do with traumas and phobias. Anxiety with no obvious triggers that are to do with life changes can be relieved with lots of TLC and a stable daily routine.
If your Sheps anxiety is severe, you could also try investing in some anti-anxiety products, such as plug-in diffusers and supplements. They use natural ingredients like CBD and lavender to effectively reduce anxiety in dogs. There are even prescription medications for high-stress pets, so talk to your vet if youre concerned.
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Why Is My German Shepherd So Needy
Your German Shepherd is so needy because they crave attention and you unwittingly reinforce it. Owners are at fault when they pet or give praises when their dog follows them around. In some cases, boredom and lack of mental stimulation make dogs needy.
German Shepherds are adorable and make great family pets. Theyre extremely loyal and can be strongly bonded with their owners.
But sometimes they take this to the extreme. To the point that they become clingy and needy. Its like they dont want you to get out of their sight.
Heres a list of the possible reasons why:
What To Do About Excessive Whining
Each time your dog gets what they want from you after whining, youre teaching them thats the right way to get it. However, there are better practices your dog can indulge in to communicate other than nagging about the place.
For example, if your dog whines to be let out of the crate to go potty, you can train him to ring a potty bell instead.
If your German Shepherd whines to get your attention or something he likes to have at the moment, you can teach him that a better way to do that is to remain quiet. This is achievable by ignoring his recurrent whines.
You may have to ignore him because if you look at him or in his direction or you speak to scold him, he will believe that he has your attention that way. You can also put up a gesture to show that whining doesnt cut it. As soon as he goes quiet, give him a treat and a back rub. You can also scratch his head.
That way, your dog would learn to be quiet to get your attention. You also make your dog know this by spending time with your dog when you realize he is quiet. Over time, your dog understands that whining does not get your attention, and he stays quiet.
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German Shepherd Puppy Crying In Crate
If you have a puppy, and they are crying in their crate, it is common behavior. This is because a crate is an unfamiliar place and it is your job to ensure that it can become a safe place for them. To get your German Shepherd pups to stop crying and whining in the crate, you can take some necessary steps. First, however, you should know why they are doing it.
Other Solutions And Considerations
Since German Shepherds are noisy by nature, it can be difficult to know when your dogs vocalizations are something to be concerned about. One danger sign to look for is when the vocalizations seem to intensify, when your dog vocalizes more often, or if you notice any new noises. This could mean that your dog is sick or suffering from an injury. Sickness is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as a refusal to eat, vomiting, and decreased energy levels. If your dog is injured, he will lick the injured area compulsively, refuse to move around, and may not want to be touched or petted.
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Its In Your German Shepherds Genes
German Shepherds are known for being brave, loyal, and protective and make an ideal good first dog, as long as you have the time to devote to them. Theyre also extremely intelligent and easy to train, which is why theyre often used both as family pets and as working dogs!
Since being a working dog is in their genes, theyre used to developing a strong attachment to one person. Remember, German Shepherds were originally bred to herd sheep and other livestock and to work alongside one person.
If you have ever wondered why your GSD nudges your ankles or the back of your leg with his nose, he is herding you, usually because he wants you to carry on playing!
Its therefore in your German Shepherds genes to be extremely loyal to one person whom they depend on, and that one person may also depend on them to do their job especially if they are used as a working dog.
Even though your German Shepherd may just be a family pet, hes still prone to developing this type of relationship and he loves to please his owner immensely.
German Shepherds are so clingy because its a characteristic of his breed he is not an independent dog by nature.
You also only have to think about how loyal and protective German Shepherds can be. Your German Shepherd considers you to be family, which is why he wants to be around you so much.
Reasons Why German Shepherds Whine
Have you ever been sitting on the couch and noticed your German Shepherd whining, but you had no clue why or what to do about it? If so, you are not alone. Many German Shepherd owners find their best friend whining uncontrollably without any obvious reason.
In this article, we are going to learn the top 6 reasons German Shepherds whine, as well as how to determine the cause for your dogs whining and what to do about it.
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Reward It For Not Whining:
If you want your German Shepherd to stop whining then one of the best options is to reward it when it does not whine when it usually would. It could be in the form of a treat or rubs.
This is called positive reinforcement training, this is where you reward traits or behaviors that you want to see, which can be very effective in getting your GSD to quit whining.
However, when it does start whining you should stop giving it treats or rubs and then do it when it stops whining.
If it persists you would then stop giving it treats or rubs it again until it stops. By doing this will teach it that whining is not an effective method in getting what it wants.
Bonus: Female Dogs Whine When Theyre In Heat
Its the time of the year again.
Male dogs, yet again, come up to your house.
Sniffing. Searching. Wondering where the prettiest female dog lives.
As the males look for their mate, the owner of a female German Shepherd gets sleepless nights.
Their dog whines non-stop. She pleads, hoping she can come outside to meet her Dog Charming.
They want to mate.
This goes on for about two weeks. 12 nights of constant barking and whining.
Good grief.
Twice a year, female dogs go through the heat cycle . When this occurs, female dogs can get pregnant if they are not spayed.
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They Have Separation Anxiety
Who wants a dog in the bathroom while you shower? Or while you pee or poop?
So you ask them to give you a minute. But they just stare at you, as though its a crime to ask them to give you a break.
You might have a velcro dog in your hands. A velcro dog makes it a mission to always be beside you. No matter where you go.
Skin Atopy And Scratching In German Shepherd Dogs
As Aubrey Animal Medical Center explains, German Shepherds as a breed are known to be particularly susceptible to allergies.
But in dogs, allergies are more commonly called atopy. What many dog owners dont realize is that when your dog scratches repeatedly, this is basically the same as if you were to sneeze repeatedly.
In other words, where your allergies make your nose run and your throat itchy, in dogs allergies make their skin itch intensely.
Dogs cant itch and scratch as effectively as you can, however. So instead of constant scratching, you might see your German Shepherd rubbing the body part that itches, licking it, biting at it, or pawing at it.
Certain areas of your dogs skin are more likely to feel itchy because of atopy. These areas include the paws, the ears, areas where the skin is folded over, the belly, and around the tail area.
Different types of allergens may cause different areas of your dogs body to itch.
For example, Frito feet is caused by a particular type of bacteria that often invades a dogs paw pads in between the toes and gives off a corn chip-type odor.
Skin atopy is often very treatable, but only after you have been able to identify the specific trigger that is causing it.
German Shepherd owners are most likely to see their dogs suddenly start licking, biting, rubbing, pawing, or scratching at areas at ages one to three.
This is when atopy is most likely to start showing up, although it can happen at any time in your dogs life.
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