Are you looking for a tough, strong, working dog that also is a family dog? There can surely be no breed of dog that works harder than the German Shepherd. This dog was originally developed and used to herd sheep, probably in the same way that a Border Collie does. Herding sheep not only requires stamina and strength, but also a high degree of intelligence. These are all characteristics of the German Shepherd. Today, not very many of these dogs are used to work with sheep, but they have found their way into many other professions, where they perform many valuable services for people.
The German Shepherd is a large dog, with the males weighing up to around ninety pounds, the females a bit less. These dogs have keen senses and lightning reflexes. We all know that they have been used in police work, helping to control criminals, but their worth goes far beyond that. Because of their sense of smell, German Shepherds are great when used in search-and-rescue operations where lives may be at stake after a disaster. Although their role as guide dogs has been curtailed to a large degree, some German Shepherds are still used in this capacity.
Is a German Shepherd a Good Choice for Me?
A German Shepherd can be an excellent choice for individuals or families if certain criteria are met. To begin with, this breed has tons of energy and will need to have plenty of exercise every day. Not only does this keep the dog healthy physically, but also mentally. Anyone who wants a German Shepherd has to realize these dogs aren’t going to be satisfied by tooling around the block once or twice. These dogs will be happy if they can get at least 90 minutes of exercise every day, and not just walking on a leash, GSDs need some time to run around off their leash, too.
German Shepherds are one of the easiest to train dogs, unlike the French Bulldog, but training has to start early. Always remember that this is a large, powerful, and somewhat aggressive dog. Training should start when your pet is just a puppy, and there are plenty of training aids that can make the process go smoothly. Always remember when training a young puppy that he or she will have a limited attention span. Break off training when the pup’s attention starts to wander or they get a little cranky – they’ll catch on in time and make good progress. Let patience be your byword.
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If you get a German Shepherd puppy the first thing to do is to train them to a collar and leash. Expect some drama. A simple collar like the Coastal Nylon Web Collar would do nicely. There’s no need to spend a huge amount on a puppy collar since your dog is going to grow.
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You won’t need a heavy leash at this point either, a light weight leash will be perfect for both of you. Skip a retractable leash for now, you need to have good control over your probably rambunctious puppy.
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Although I’ve never tried them before, many people claim that clickers can help make the training process easier. The point is to click as soon as the desired behavior is exhibited, give a treat, and repeat the process. German Shepherds learn quickly and keeping the lessons positive will help strengthen the bond between the two of you.
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to train your German Shepherd puppy, and the most important aspect will be you, with your patient and positive approach. Your puppy wants to please you, just let him or her have the time they need to absorb the lesson.
It is also important to socialize your GSD puppy, too. As soon as the first round of shots has been given, it’s time to expose your chap to the outer world. They need to become accustomed to different people, other dogs, and new places and situations. Aggression is often a response to fear, and letting your puppy meet new people, go to new places, and interact with other dogs will help to make him or her more confident, and able to take in new situations calmly. Keeping your puppy on leash will help you control the situation and make training easier.
German Shepherds grow into large, strong, protective, and intelligent dogs, and you must keep up with regular training sessions throughout your dog’s life. With the use of treats and praise, these ‘refresher courses’ will be something your dog looks forward to. They probably needn’t be too long either, just reminders on how to respond to direction.
Can Food Affect My German Shepherd’s Health?
Choosing a good food for your GSD is one of the most important things you can do for your dog’s health. Although all stages of your German Shepherd are important as regards nutrition, get your puppy off to a good start. Because puppies grow so quickly, their bodies need extra protein to help form muscles and bones. Everyone who has had a puppy in the house knows how much energy they have, and these needs must be addressed, too.
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For a good protein and nutrient dense puppy food, you might want to try one of the Raised Right Puppy Growth Recipes. These recipes are made with human-grade food and meet all the necessary nutritional requirements.
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A German Shepherd is classified as a working dog, and many of them do work. Regardless of how your dog spends their days, they will still need a food plan that keeps their body strong and healthy, especially if your GSD is a working dog. Farm Hounds has some great recipes that are delivered right to your door.
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Older German Shepherds can be subject, as can many breeds, to decreased kidney function. While this is a serious condition, there are specialized, prescription diets that can help your dog deal with this and other health problems.
Choosing the right food for your German Shepherd will help keep him or her healthy and less likely to need as many trips to the vet. All the foods I cover are made with high quality ingredients and contain supplements to make sure that every nutritional requirement is met. To help maintain or replenish your dog’s intestinal flora, count on JoyFull Pet for their treats and supplements.
Does My Shepherd Like to Chew?
Yes, your German Shepherd will definitely enjoy chewing. Chews has several benefits for German Shepherds, it exercises their jaw muscles, it aids in stimulating digestive juices, and it helps your dog relax. Dogs, like people, need time to unwind after a busy day, and settling down with a good chew is a great way for dogs to do so. Make sure your German Shepherd is never without a chew, he or she will thank you for it.
German Shepherds as Family Pets
Becoming a responsible owner to a GSD does require more responsibility and commitment that would be needed with a dog like a Pug. GSDs are large, protective dogs that bond tightly with the family, which is excellent in a lot of ways, but could present some problems when strangers come to the home. If you have children, a German Shepherd would tend to be very protective of them. This is why socialization is so important, as well as training.
When you have a German Shepherd, it’s a good idea to train your children, too. Children should never be allowed to be rough with the GSD, or with any dog. Teaching your children how to play appropriately with the dog is important, and integrating your child into the training process of your dog will help both understand and respect the other better. German Shepherds bond tightly with their human family, and can make wonderful, loyal pets.
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