You Want An Outside Dog
Dogs are pack orientated and German Shepherds are no different. They can get separation anxiety from being separated from their pack . They are happiest as a family unit and being left outside unattended only leads to mischief. If you dont want to share your inside space with a GSD, then they are not the ideal dog for you.
Why Your German Shepherd Isnt Listening To You
There are a number of reasons that your German Shepherd might not be listening to you that I will mention below.
Fear
When your German Shepherd misbehaves it might be tempting to punish it for doing so. Logically, you might think that punishing your German Shepherd for misbehaving would reduce the behavior.
However, what youre actually punishing it for often wont be the same thing that your German Shepherd thinks that youre punishing it for. If you punish it for running away then it will associate the punishment with the last thing that it did which is coming back to you.
There are also other problems with using punishment as a training method. It can lead to things like depression, aggression, destructive behavior and can cause it to become distrustful of you.
Instead, a better approach is to use positive reinforcement training where you reward your German Shepherd for behaving in the right way. By doing this you will be able to reinforce its good habits while preventing bad ones.
Related post: Why does my German Shepherd act afraid?
You havent trained enough
Your German Shepherd might not be listening to you because it doesnt know what you want it to do. If you havent taken the time to teach it to come on command then it wont know that when you tell it to come to you it means that you want it to go to you. This is why its important that you take the time to train your German Shepherd since it will teach it to listen to you when you tell it to.
A lack of exercise
They Could Be Aggressive Toward Other Dogs
Theres no doubt that German Shepherds are loyal, but sometimes they may become too aggressive towards other dogs. If not trained and socialized properly, theres always a possibility that your German Shepherd will become aggressive toward other people or dogs when hes fearful or anxious.
Training and socializing your German Shepherd puppy is an effective way to make him calm.
Its also important not to separate him from his mother or littermates too early. Puppies should not be removed from their mother until they are at least 8-weeks old as they learn so much during this time, in particular when not to annoy their mother too much!
The puppies are still learning their bite inhibition, and if this isnt mastered, its one reason why they may continue to bite as they havent learned acceptable social behavior. To find out tons more about how to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, check out this helpful post.
Once you have brought your puppy home, as soon as you can start taking your pup out, its crucial to continue his socialization around other dogs and people.
Read Also: Is It Hard To Train A German Shepherd
German Shepherd As A Companion
Pyrrha, for example, appears to be an American-line shepherd bred for companionship by a backyard breeder. The fact that she has surprisingly straight hocks and a level topline makes me think she wasnt bred to win show ribbons, which I am thankful for. Eden, on the other hand, is a German-line shepherd whose parents were imports titled in Schutzhund. They also showed dogs, so she has a more sloped topline than Pyrrha and slightly more exaggerated hocks.
Heres a listing of German shepherd rescues by state. German shepherds still rank no. 3 in popularity in AKC registrations, so there are lots of German shepherds all over the country, and thus lots of beautiful, great dogs who need forever homes. Consider it!
Truthfully, a German shepherd Puppy isnt going to be that different from any other puppy. ALL puppies require hard work, devotion, and lots and lots of patience. But the joy they bring?
German Shepherds Are Active And Require Stimulation
German Shepherds were historically bred as working dogs and are inherently high-energy. German Shepherds can become bored and potentially destructive if they do not get the amount of exercise and stimulation that they require. A characteristic that youll find frequently in German Shepherds is their need to run in circles just to get their energy out. German Shepherds at police training facilities will frequently trot along the confines of their kennels, sometimes for long periods of time. Since they are such an athletic and energetic breed,German Shepherds are great for people with active lifestyles. This doesnt require that you be a marathoner or an outdoorsmen. Spending an hour at the dog park, throwing the ball in your yard, or taking your German Shepherd out for a brisk walk are all great ways to keep your German Shepherd active and happy.
An hour a day of exercise and play is a good routine for you and your German Shepherd.
Also Check: Simple Easy German Shepherd Drawing
Does Rice Help A Dog Gain Weight
Rice is full of carbs and will certainly help your dog gain weight if you add it into their feeding schedule. You can add other healthy proteins to it, and rice can even help settle your dogs stomach if theyre prone to tummy issues. Rice doesnt provide enough nutrition, protein, or fat to be the main component of their meal, but you can add it to their other foods to help them gain weight faster.
They Are Heavy Shedders
Both Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd shed a lot due to their double coat. This characteristic is inherited by their cross German Malinois as well. The German Malinois is not one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds as they shed throughout the year but experience heavy seasonal shedding periods as well. Therefore, they do not make a desirable option for people with allergies. If you have pet allergies, you should instead look into family dogs that dont shed.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does A German Shepherd Weigh
Reasons Not To Get A German Shepherd:
- Walking your dog around the house three times a day is definitely not enough. A German Shepherd needs exercise.
- They are workaholics. If you dont employ them, theyll find other things to do and you probably wont burst out laughing at the consequences.
- Do not neglect education. Training and socialization are the alpha and omega of a happy life with a German Shepherd.
- Some dogs can be very suspicious of unfamiliar things or people and they can make that very clear.
- You will need quality food for an active dog breed such as the German Shepherd lots of quality food. You can find our best recommendations here -> Chewy.com!
- They dont like to be without their master and often become anxious in his absence which they may express by barking.
Why Get Pet Insurance For Your German Shepherd
As a pure breed dog, German Shepherds are at a higher risk for certain health and genetic conditions. Hip dysplasia and cataracts are some of the most common issues to plague this pup. German Shepherds are more susceptible than other breeds to a condition called gastric dilatation volvulus, more commonly called âbloat.â This is when the stomach twists and cuts off blood flow. If your German Shepherd is known to scarf down their food, consider getting a slow feeder bowl or keep an eye on them at mealtimes.
And like other large-breed pets, heart issues like murmurs, valve disease, and enlarged hearts are very common.
Fearless and adventure-seeking, German Shepherds can run themselves ragged, which leads to unexpected injuries like torn cranial cruciate ligaments.
Because of their large size and how quickly they grow, German Shepherds are also prone to osteochondritis dissecans of the knee, which is usually diagnosed in puppies between four to eight months of age and almost always requires surgery.
You May Like: How Much Do Full Grown German Shepherds Weigh
How Sociable Are German Shepherds
Are they friendly with strangers?
Most German Shepherds are reserved with strangers. As the breed’s national club says, a good German Shepherd has:
“a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them.”
As you might imagine, this can be a fine line to walk. Without proper guidance from the owner, a German Shepherd’s natural aloofness can morph over the line to suspiciousness, distrust, and even aggression or fearfulness.
When you own an aloof breed, you need to socialize the dog thoroughly. This means a careful program of teaching him to pay attention to you and mind you in the presence of other people and other dogs. He doesn’t have to like them, but he must accept them.
One thing I should mention: many German Shepherds who bark and lunge at strangers or other dogs aren’t being either protective or aggressive. Rather, this kind of reactivity can be the dog’s attempt to hide his own insecurities behind a blustering facade.
There are also legal liabilities to consider when you acquire a German Shepherd. For example, your homeowner insurance policy might be cancelled or the rates hiked, because people are often quicker to sue if a “guard dog breed” does anything even remotely questionable.
Are German Shepherds good with children?
Are German Shepherds good with other pets?
Top 10 Claims For German Shepherds
Like all dogs, German Shepherds can get sick or injured unexpectedly. The top 10 accident and illness claims received by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance^ for this breed are:
- Allergies*
- Lamenesswhich could indicate hip or elbow dysplasia
- Arthritis
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage reimbursements are based on the invoice. Levels 1-4 reimbursements are based on usual and customary eligible costs. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.
The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , produced and administered by C& F Insurance Agency, Inc. , a Crum & Forster company. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCAs marks and is not a charitable contribution. C& F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A by AM Best Company 2020.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My German Shepherd So Anxious
Why Your German Shepherd Wont Sleep At Night
Each of the different reasons why your German Shepherd wont do it will likely come with a number of clues.
Below, I will mention a number of reasons why it might not be sleeping at night and what would make them more likely.
Diet
It could be the case that there is a problem with its diet that is causing it to struggle to fall asleep. This would be more likely if it suddenly stopped sleeping easily at night after a change in its diet. You can look here to see what sort of foods you should and should not be feeding it.
If you tend to feed it just before bedtime then that could also be contributing to it struggling to fall asleep. Instead, try feeding it earlier in the evening.
If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. You can get a GSD specific dog food on Amazon here and one for GSD puppies on Chewy here.
Not enough exercise
German Shepherds are a breed that are meant to be getting a lot of exercise on a daily basis. When they do not get much exercise it can cause them to develop behavioral issues including struggling to fall asleep at night. Generally, it is recommended for a German Shepherd to get at least an hour of exercise per day.
If your German Shepherd is not currently getting that much exercise then it would help to make sure that it does.
Related post: Ways to exercise your German Shepherd.
Illness or injury
Its sleeping environment is not ideal
Rewarding the behavior
Enroll In A Puppy Class
An AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class or another well-run local class will provide your puppy with the chance to socialize with other dogs.
Teaching your little manic play biter to be polite with their mouth may seem like a huge challenge at first. Patience and consistency are the keys. Some puppies may back off during one play session, and come at you teeth first in the next.
Play biting does not mean your puppy is vicious, says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKCs chief veterinary officer. However, if you havent been able to moderate the behavior by the time theyre six months old, its a good idea to consult an experienced dog trainer or animal behavior specialist.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Recommended Reading: Lpc King Shepherds
You Have No Energy For Play
GSDs are very active, both mentally and physically. They require both mental and physical stimulation to be happy functioning members of society. Your dog needs to feel useful and needed and be an active member of the family. If you are unable to walk, play and be there for your GSD then they are not the right dog for you.
They Need A Lot Of Daily Exercise
German Shepherds are the perfect fit for anyone with an active lifestyle that wants to take their dog with them on their adventures! Adult German Shepherds require a ton of exercise, a minimum of two hours per day, to get rid of their pent-up energy and prevent behavioral problems.
This exercise should not only include walks but also running off-lead in a safe area. They also need playtime for mental stimulation and ongoing training.
Remember, puppies will need to gently build up to this amount of exercise to prevent harm to their fast-growing joints and bones. As a general rule, aim for exercising your puppy for five minutes per month of age, twice a day. .
Don’t Miss: How To Draw A Realistic German Shepherd
Books By Michele Welton
“Respect Training for Puppies” is a step by step guide to help you bring out the best in your pup so you can enjoy a calm and well-behaved dog, no matter what his age. Get your book today.
“11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy” is a comprehensive guide to keeping your dog mentally, physically, and emotionally happy and healthy so you can enjoy a longer lifetime of companionship. A healthy dog is a happy dog, so buy your copy today.
The Best Time To Neuter Or Spay A German Shepherd
Many veterinary organizations support neutering or spaying of German shepherds. However, they admit that there are risks in the procedure.
Thats precisely why they try to recommend pet owners the best age to neuter or spay a German shepherd.
Depending on the age of a German shepherd when it was neutered or spayed, they may have higher or fewer chances of developing health issues.
You May Like: Can A Rottweiler Beat A Wolf
Gsds Provide Constant Companionship
In truth, German Shepherd owners are never lonely because their loyal canines are always by their side. Although GSDs are sometimes slow to warm to strangers, they are gentle and loving with their families. Their affectionate and dedicated personalities are a bonus of the breed, and they can be particularly fond of children. This means your GSD wants to spend time with you rather than being left alone all day, every day. Allowing your German Shepherd to be with you as much as possible will bring out the best in your dog.
Are German Shepherds Aggressive
The breed is naturally protective of its owners. If the German Shepherd is not properly socialized, it can become too aggressive with strangers. The German Shepherd is more likely to bite a stranger than a Labrador Retriever, but it is not nearly as aggressive breed as a Pit bull or Rottweiler.
Recommended Reading: Is My German Shepherd Too Skinny
German Shepherds Love Children
If given proper socialization training from an early age German Shepherds love to play with children if they are trained well to do so when they are young. Proper puppy training is essential along with love, care and respect towards your pooch. Also, make sure not to allow children to play with the dog when eating or trying to remain alone.
EDIT 26/8/17: Removed section about the shedding behaviours of German Shepherds. Thanks for the comments!
German Shepherd Dogs Are Protective Of Their Loved Ones
They are known for being fearless and self-confident. GSDs will assertively stand their ground and are suited to be either watchdog or guardian, whichever the situation demands. They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner. But it also comes with a certain responsibility. You should be committed to spending time socializing and training your dog to ensure your companion feels comfortable around strangers and other dogs. If you do, you will benefit from all this dog has to offer.
Don’t Miss: How To Draw A German Shepherd Sitting