The mental capacity of German Shepherds is equivalent to that of a two and a half year old child. Surprising? Isn’t it? No wonder that they have found a place for themselves in the list of top three smartest breeds of dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, this amazing breed has maintained its position in the ranking of the most popular dogs besides holding on to the place they have in the hearts of millions of dog lovers.
Considered to be extremely intelligent, loyal and energetic, the German Shepherd is the perfect breed for a family. Proper training can transform them into perfect family dogs and your companions for life. You need to learn some German Shepherd care tips that can come handy when you raise these dogs.
Are you having second thoughts about whether to bring home a German Shepherd as your first dog? According to a report, German Shepherds are a unique breed of dogs that can fit your lifestyle. These facts might help you in taking a decision. A few traits of German Shepherds which could be reason enough for you to own them as your first dogs are:
- Intelligence
German Shepherds are known for their intelligence. They can quickly adapt to and learn various commands and instructions, which includes the rules of the house. This will make it easier for you to manage your dog.
- Obedience
This breed is always on the lookout to please their owners, which throws light on their trait of obedience. They obediently follow most of the commands and instructions, which makes it easier for the owners and dogs to live together.
- Highly Energetic
German Shepherds are famous for their high voltage energy. If you own a dog, you already know that you need to be really active for managing them and if you own a German Shepherd, you will need extra energy as they will always keep you on your toes.
Read: How fast can a German Shepherd run
- Patience
On being given proper training, German Shepherds can be amazing family dogs. They interact with small children and all family members with a lot of patience by being playful and loving.
- Protective in Nature
Strangers with bad intentions will always be intimidated while entering any house which has a German Shepherd as a pet because this breed is extremely protective about their homes and families. This protective nature makes them the best guard dogs.
- Affectionate
The large size of German Shepherds might give you the feeling that it might be aggressive and ferocious, but in reality, they are highly affectionate dogs. They love to spend time with their owners and also miss them if they are not around for some time.
Are you planning to bring home a German Shepherd? Good decision. But, before taking this step, you need to do a lot of homework.
An extensive research about the characteristics and needs of German Shepherds is extremely important before bringing this awesome breed home. German Shepherds are an extremely unique breed and so are their special care routines. In order to give them the perfect life, the owners should be thoroughly aware of how to take care of German Shepherds.
Discover some German Shepherd care tips that will help you train your German Shepherd puppy, groom your GSD and make them healthy.
Read: German Shepherd Puppy Growth Chart By Age
German Shepherd Care: How to train a German Shepherd puppy
The first and the most important step is to train your German Shepherd which will boost their smartness. The perfect time for obedience training is when the German Shepherd is very young.
This will help the dog in understanding your instructions and accepting you as their owner. After proper training, this astounding breed will surprise you with its abilities.
Read: How Mental Exercises Can Help A German Shepherd Puppy In Obedience Training
German Shepherd Care: How to groom a German Shepherd?
As the energy of these amazing dogs is always on the higher side, proper physical and mental exercises are recommended for them. Grooming your pet is another essential step in the dog care routine. Grooming includes:
- Brushing your dog’s hair regularly (does not matter whether it has long hair or short). It helps to improve German Shepherd coat. There are other effective ways to improve the coat of your dog.
- German Shepherds have nails which grow very quickly. So, it is important to trim their nails at regular intervals so that it does not lead to any cracking or overgrowth.
- Regular brushing of teeth with the toothpaste that is recommended for them is also vital.
- If you feel that your dog needs a bath, you can bathe it. But, make sure that you do not bathe it for more than twice a month as the soap can have adverse effects on its fur oils and skin. If you cannot bathe it properly, the best option is to always take it to a groomer. The best time to bathe your dog is when it is active as this will avoid any skin problems and rashes.
- Socializing is extremely essential for a German Shepherd. If you do not train your dog to socialize properly, it might become aggressive later on. The best way to train your dog to socialize is by starting when it is a puppy itself by showing physical contact regularly.
German Shepherd care: How to maintain the health of your German Shepherd?
A German Shepherd requires proper nutrition with all the essential foods throughout their entire lifespan. The diet that you follow right from the beginning has a significant influence on the dog’s value as a working on breeding animal.
Right Food and Nutrition
Consult your veterinarian to get a detailed view about what should be included in your dog’s diet in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Some people think that the food that their dog is having is not enough. So, they end up overfeeding the pet, which can lead to various health issues. To avoid all this mess, consulting a veterinarian is the best option.
The diet of a German Shepherd should include proteins, such as, chicken, fish, lamb, beef and turkey. Besides this, it should also consist of healthy fats, such as, walnut oil, chicken fat, fish oil and pork fat. There are certain things that your dog should avoid eating, such as, grains, corn, nitrates, vegetable oil and soy.
As per the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control, commercial food for this breed must contain 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat for adults and 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat for puppies.
Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely essential for the well-being of your dog.
A healthy weight can be maintained by keeping your dog stimulated and by ensuring that it does a considerable amount of exercise depending on its breed, weight and age. At least 45 minutes of exercise a day has been advised for this breed. Besides the exercise routine, you should also take your dog for a walk for a couple of times.
Lack of proper exercise can result in various diseases and there are also chances that your dog could become very destructive. However, do not make them exercise too much before the age of one and a half as their bones and joints are still in the developing stage.
Lack of exercise can also lead to obesity and heart diseases in a German Shepherd, which thus will reduce the life span of your pet.
Read: How long do German Shepherds live for
Inculcate Healthy Food Habits
German Shepherds are smart and intelligent dogs. So, you should make sure to teach them healthy habits from the first day itself.
Always avoid giving the leftovers of your food to your dog even if it is begging for it. The food that you are eating could be unhealthy for the dog and this might decrease its interest towards eating healthy food.
Read: Do German Shepherds have sensitive stomach
According to Alexander J. German, Royal Canine Professor of Small Animal Medicine, “Success should be viewed less in terms of reaching a perfect weight, than in permanently maintaining weight lost. Unless bad habits are permanently changed, long term weight management will fail.”
A Yearly Checkup
German Shepherds are considered to a healthy breed with a life span of almost 10 to 12 years. A yearly checkup of your German Shepherd is absolutely necessary to ensure that your dog is fit and fine.
- The assessment by the veterinarian will give you a detailed view about the health condition of your dog. The veterinarian can suggest precautions in case of any emerging illnesses and medications in case any health issue arises.
- De-worming is also essential for your dog. This should be done every month.
- Besides this, make sure that your German Shepherd is getting all the necessary vaccinations on time.
- In case, you come across certain behavioral changes or physical changes in your German Shepherd, make sure you visit a veterinarian and take enough care of your dog.
Read: Do German Shepherd have eye problems
Read: Why your dog’s ears aren’t standing up
Allow Space for GSD
Never forget the fact that a German Shepherd is large. Getting enough space is of utmost importance for this breed to feel comfortable at home. They perform better in a house where there is lot of space as compared to a house which is very congested. In case your house does not have a spacious courtyard, you can take the dog to a nearby park so that it can move along freely.
Avoid Bloating
Bloating is a common issue which most German Shepherds are prone to.
To avoid bloating, you should ensure that your dog does not involve itself in any exhausting activity, for example, running, for few hours after or before having food.
While running is not advisable for German Shepherds after having food, you can definitely take them for a small walk.
Read: The common health issues faced by German Shepherds and how you can keep them healthy.
Give them plenty of water
The hot weather can take a toll on German Shepherds, especially the ones with long hair. During hot weather times, make sure that you provide your dog with plenty of water.
Besides this, do not make your dog exercise too much during this time. There are certain warning signs which can let you know that your dog is suffering from overheating. Some of these signs include:
- Red gums
- Excessive thirst
- Inability to coordinate
- Panting
They are better off in the cold climate as their fur coats provide them the much needed insulation to survive in low temperatures.
Bestow lots of love and affection
German Shepherd is a breed which requires a lot of love and attention for them to have an everlasting bond with the owner. Being fake while showing affection will not work with your dog. You need to show your love in physical ways, such as by cuddling them.
Beating your dog or shouting at your dog is a complete no until and unless you find it doing something wrong. Scolding your dog frequently will make them less attached to you and they might lose their trust in you.
Health Insurance for your GSD
The owners of German Shepherds should always strive to keep their pets fit and healthy. But, in case of certain health issues, various tests and medical procedures will have to be done. So, in order to cover these costs, it is always important to sign up for a pet health insurance.
Have fun with your GSD
German Shepherds need their dose of fun and play for stimulation. A good amount of play will help them in understanding different behaviors.
When your dog is young, it is better to play games that are cooperative rather than games that are rough in nature. You can play the good old fetch game with them or any brain games, such as, puzzles. Always make sure that the toys that your dog plays with are non-toxic and safe for them.
Besides physical exercise, mental exercise is also very essential in order to keep them stimulated and to avoid boredom, which could lead to various behavioral changes.
You can play various brain games with them and give them rewards if they are successful. Keep challenging your dog with these games so that they remain engaged.
Here are 10 super fun brain games you can start playing with your German Shepherd right now.
Sleep training a German Shepherd
It is extremely important to see to it that your dog gets proper sound sleep to get over its tiredness. They should not be disturbed while sleeping as this might lead to the dog waking up with a cranky mood. If it’s still a puppy, it should sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day.
Read: How many hours should a German Shepherd puppy sleep
It can become very difficult to deal with a dog with cranky mood as they might snap at you. In order to ensure that your dog gets a good sleep, you can:
- Keep the area where the dog sleeps neat and clean.
- Make sure there are no distractions in the room.
- Install a soft light in the room so that they are not in a dark room.
- Keeping a white noise machine in the room is a good option as the dog will not feel alone. Besides this, their sleep will also not be disturbed by any other noise in the house.
How to potty train a German Shepherd
This is the most dreadful part of having a dog at home. But, you cannot escape this as it is a major part of the routine of owning a dog.
Potty training is highly essential and the best time to start this is at the puppy stage. Generally, it is noticed that dogs feel like doing potty soon after waking up or after eating or drinking something or after going through their daily exercise routine. So, you should set a routine accordingly.
If you’ve not yet started potty training your German Shepherd, it might face irregular bowel movements or constipation issues in the future.
Read: How to treat constipation in German Shepherds
Dogs show different signs to indicate that they want to urinate or do potty, such as, moving around in circles with their heads lowered or sniffing around.
On seeing such signs, you should immediately take them to the place which is assigned for potty.
Information about General Health of German Shepherds
In order to take proper care of your German Shepherd, it is of utmost importance to be aware about certain health conditions which could affect your dog. Always remember that a healthy German Shepherd is always a happy German Shepherd. Some of them are:
- This breed is prone to various viral and bacterial infections, such as, rabies and parvo, which can be prevented by timely vaccinations for these diseases.
- Obesity is another common problem faced by German Shepherds due to lack of proper exercise or due to overfeeding. This could take a serious toll on their joints and could also lead to heart problems.
- They are also susceptible to being infected by worms, such as, roundworms and hookworms. In order to keep your dog safe from these infections, it is advisable to get your dog tested at regular intervals.
- Another common problem faced by German Shepherds is the onset of a dental disease. If their teeth are not given proper attention, it might cut short their life span. Besides this, there are chances that they might lose some of their teeth or there are chances of them facing kidney or liver problems.
- Digestive disorders and bloating are also some common problems faced by the German Shepherds. To prevent these conditions, you should take extra precaution while feeding your dog and see to it that you do not feed your pet any unhealthy food stuff.
- German Shepherds also have an increased risk of being prone to heart diseases. To avoid these conditions, annual health checkups are a must. Proper weight control and dental care can contribute towards preventing heart diseases.
- Most medical problems do not affect the quality of life of your German Shepherd. But, there are certain problems, such as eye problems in German Shepherds, which could take a toll on the day to day activities of your dog. There are chances that your dog could become blind if eye problems are not treated right away. Some common eye problems detected in German Shepherds are Pannus and Cataract. Cataract is usually detected in older dogs.
- Besides these, another problem which is commonly seen in German Shepherds is diabetes mellitus. This condition is serious and it is highly important to give proper treatment to your dog as early as possible.
- If your German Shepherd is itching like crazy, you must know that they are also prone to skin allergies. All the skin problems are caused by their own skin.
Mistakes to avoid with GSD
Bringing a delay in the training process is the first and the most common mistake which people tend to make. Training should be started from the first day itself when you bring your dog home.
Some people feel that you should give your dog time to relax and get comfortable in your house and then start the training process. But, this should not be the case. Training should start immediately as the dog enters your house.
The second mistake which most people make is to isolate the dog from other family members. You might have heard from a lot of people that German Shepherds are not very social dogs. But, this does not mean that you keep it away from the other members of your family or from other people.
If you make it interact with other people, it will teach them how to behave and on the contrary, if you keep them isolated, they might tend to become very aggressive when they see someone.
Training a German Shepherd is not at all easy and it requires a lot of patience, attention and cool-headed attitude. If you deal aggressively with your dog, it might react in the same manner and there are chances that they may harm you also.
So, the secret to successful training of a German Shepherd is to always remain calm and composed. You should never underestimate the fact that your love and attention makes your German Shepherd very happy.
The training process should not be inconsistent. It should be a continuous process. Otherwise, the dog might get extremely confused. One common mistake which is seen is that different members of the family have different ways of instructing the dog with different commands. This creates a total mess as the dog becomes completely confused with a variety of commands. So, every family member should instruct the dog in a similar manner.
Owners often make the mistake of not repeating the commands with their dogs. It takes time for them to get acquainted with new commands and instructions. Until and unless, you keep repeating these commands in between, they will not get used to it.
You can motivate them to learn faster by offering them treats. The treats offered should always be ones which do not contain any artificial flavors, dyes or added salt and sugar.
Owners should always remember to have the upper hand with their German shepherds and should always be in the controlling position, but not by using aggression.
The training time should not be less and should not go overboard also. A decent timing for training sessions is 10 mins at regular intervals. Try to stick to any one trick per session because if you teach too many tricks all at once, it will be difficult for the dog to pick up. Too much of training is also not advisable as the dog might feel bored after a certain amount of time.
You should learn to avoid certain actions, such as, jumping on you. When the dog jumps onto you seeking attention, you should ignore them. This will make them know that this is not the correct way to get attention from their owner and they will be discouraged from doing it again.
Did you know these facts about German Shepherds?
Most of you might be aware about the facts that German Shepherds are an extremely loyal and intelligent breed of dogs. But, have you been enlightened about these facts:
- Do you know about the Father of German Shepherd dogs? Max von Stephanitz is known as the Father of German Shepherd dogs as he was the one to breed the first German Shepherd in 1889.
- The German Shepherd dog is known by many different names in different countries. In Germany, the country where it originated, the dog is known as Deutscher Shaferhund. In Ireland and England, people often refer to the dog as an Alsatian. Besides this, it is also known as Berger Allemand.
- The first dog, which was used for guiding the visually impaired, was none other than the German Shepherd.
- German Shepherds are extremely popular in the United States, which has put them in the top 2 position in the category of Most Popular Dogs.
- Many German Shepherds have played important roles in Hollywood movies. One such German Shepherd to earn fame through Hollywood movies was Strongheart, who appeared in movies in the year 1921. Another German Shepherd, which has become the most famous dog of all times, is Rin Tin Tin. In the period ranging from 1922 to 1931, Rin Tin Tin appeared in almost 27 movies.
- Most people might be caught unawares by the fact that the German Shepherds are actually available in 11 colors. Tan and black and the white or black varieties are the common colors in which German Shepherds are seen. Some color variations that are available in German Shepherds are black and red, sable, gray, black and silver, blue and black and cream.
- Intelligence is one trait for which the German Shepherds are famous for. According to the ranking given by Stanley Coren in the book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’, the German Shepherd is the third most intelligent breed of dogs.
Owning a German Shepherd is an extremely challenging job. Due to their large size, intelligent nature and temperament, owning a German Shepherd requires a lot of time and energy, which is not possible for all pet owners.
Owners should always keep the fact in mind that having a German Shepherd at home is not a privilege, but a responsibility.
If you have decided to welcome home a German Shepherd and if you are ready to invest proper time and energy in its care routine, you are sure to get an affectionate and loving pet in return.
Today’s lifestyle has become so hectic that it has become difficult for people to find time for themselves, leave along their dogs. In such cases, German Shepherds are mostly left to be alone at home. This is where the need for entertainment and keeping them busy comes into the picture.
If you leave a German Shepherd alone at home, you will probably find your house in a mess when you return. So, to avoid all this, it is important that you find ways to keep your dog busy and entertained when you are not at home.
A German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog and keeping the dog entertained and busy is not a cakewalk. This is where you need to bring out your creative side.
You can come up with some fun activities or new and interesting toys to entertain your dog. One toy which is a favorite among the German Shepherds is the Kong. This can be used as a toy and as a treat also.
Another way of entertaining your dog is by switching on some television channel which they respond to, such as, Discovery channel, Animal Planet or National Geographic.
This way, they will have a view of the outer world by listening to different sounds of birds and animals. But, you should make a note if there is a certain sound that your dog finds disturbing.
Scavenger hunts are also a great option for entertaining your German Shepherd. You can hide food in some place and encourage your dog to go fetch for it. They will find their food by sniffing around and this will keep their minds occupied.
Besides these, you can also try teaching new tricks to your dog. This will keep them mentally stimulated and they will remain busy when they are left alone at home.
With the onset of technology, you can install cameras in your house and keep a watch on your dog remotely. You can also interact with your dog by saying a hello. This will make your German Shepherd happy and excited.
Conclusion
Boosting their emotional, intellectual and physical needs is sure to always keep them happy and satiated.
Just imagine how it would be to come home after an extremely tiring day and be welcomed by a loving German Shepherd. The rewards that you get on keeping your German Shepherd happy are worth the time and energy that you invest on them.
If you master the art of keeping your German Shepherd happy, it will help in building an everlasting bond with your dog, keep them healthy and fit, make them feel comfortable in their homes and make them behave properly at all times.
Never forget that your dog’s life and happiness is your responsibility. They deserve a good life and they are dependent on you for a happy life. Happiness on the face of a German Shepherd is always a treat to watch.