The German Shepherd Dog truly is a wonderful animal and not only do they make good working dogs, they also make superb family pets. They are however very different from other pet breeds and need to be handled and trained with a different approach to say your average labrador or poodle for instance.
The GSD is a large, strong athletic dog, which needs a lot of mental stimulation and exercise but a well trained shepherd can learn to do almost anything. These dogs positively thrive on challenging activities and they are so willing to serve their master and please. As a working dog used by most police forces, the very look of a GSD is usually enough to act as a deterrent but when called into action there are few dogs that can match the German Shepherd as an all rounder.
If you are considering becoming an owner of a GSD then you need to consider the commitment to training in order that you have happy, well behaved German Shepherd dog that you can take out safely in public.
If you haven't previously owned one of these dogs then please do not take on a youngster lightly. Being involved in GSD rescue I have lost count of the number of young dogs I have had to re-home because owners bought them without doing a bit of research first.
As youngsters they can be very boisterous and can easily knock over children or elderly relatives, especially if you do not discourage the dog from jumping up when excited.
A bored GSD can be very destructive and if left alone will trash your house and contents with ease using their big teeth and claws. Unfortunately these dogs don't really mature until they are about 3 years old so you are in for the long haul to get through the puppy and adolescent stage
The German Shepherd needs to be well socialised from an early age and needs plenty of exposure to people and other dogs so that they do not develop aggressive tendencies as they mature.
Joining a dog training class from an early age is a good idea and most clubs will accept dogs into the puppy classes from about 4 months onwards. This should be good fun for your puppy and allows him to play and to socialise but it also serves the purpose of teaching him or her what is acceptable and what is not. This will prove invaluable grounding for your German Shepherd training.
When choosing a dog training class do check out a few first as not all classes make German Shepherds welcome and if any club asks that you muzzle your dog, please give it a miss and move on and find another club.
No reputable dog training class would require a dog to be muzzled. If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs there are better ways of controlling the dog safely such as by using a Canny Collar which is a simple effective head collar similar to those used on horses.
The earlier you start training and socialisation the better as GSD's often develop a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs and also towards strangers and they can become very protective towards their owners and property.
Another important part of training your german shepherd is to get him used to being groomed because they shed copious amounts of hair and although they only moult once a year, it lasts for 365 days. So be prepared for dog hair all over your house, your clothes, in your food and buy yourself a very good vacuum cleaner.
Training your German Shepherd should be very much part of everyday life and is should be fun so stick with it because it really will be worth it in the end.
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On dog bites and other dog injuries? (Part 2)
Dog bites are very common injuries for both adults and children. People bitten by a dog can have permanent disfigurement, psychological trauma, and worse, even death. It is therefore necessary to always provide great care when dealing with dogs, even those that are considered as pets.Precautionary measures are provided by experts and medical practitioners to avoid getting bitten. However, when one gets dog bites, one should know his/her rights, especially when it comes to recovering damages.If you or a family is bitten by a dog, you should:? try to identify the dog. If the dog has rabies, it is important that you should seek medical care and get the appropriate vaccines against the rabies.? not argue with the owner of the dog.
Arguing won't do any good, especially when the owner doesn't want to believe what happened. Many owners believe in the goodness of their pets that's why it's hard for them to accept that their dog would bite without severe provocation. ? not sign any papers...
On dog bites and other dog injuries? (Part 2)
Can You Litter Box Train a Dog Like A Cat
(ContentDesk) October 15, 2005 -- House training or potty training your dog to use a litter box is definitely the new rage in indoor dog house training or potty training. Of course, there is a method to this madness and many will tell you that it is the best thing going since dog biscuits for their litter box trained dogs! This incredibly delightful information is not yet available in bookstores or pet stores. For 100% guaranteed house training your dog using a litter box success, you will most definitely want to get the #1 Best Selling E-book, "How To Litter Box Train Your Dog" by Expert Dog Litter Box Trainer and author, Teresa Heath. On Teresa's site she shares her very own personal story about how she discovered the process of
house training her dog using a litter box from the beginning. All the trials she encountered as she searched for information but found none.
Therefore, after she successfully house trained her dog to use a litter box, she realized many people...
Can You Litter Box Train a Dog Like A Cat
New Book Helps Families Enjoy and Train Their New Dog or Puppy
(ContentDesk) October 21, 2005 -- A new book, "Kippy: Second Chance Dog," is part story, and part training manual.
The first part is the story of a dog and the family that picks her out from the local shelter.
The story is fun to read, and also includes a lot of useful information.
Young children can have the story read to them, while older children can read it for themselves.
I encourage any family to use the book as a talking point both before and after they get a dog or puppy.The second part of the book includes a lot of training information, primarily geared towards older children and parents, although I encourage younger children to be included in the training."I recommend Kippy: Second Chance Dog to any family with children who want to introduce a new dog into the family.
This book is for the whole family to share and to learn how to train the dog, solve problems, and give each family member a role.
Susan Mann has done a great...
Your Dog Should Know To Behave Well Even When Off Leash
Off leash exercise should be an important part of the dog's daily routine from an early age. This will help the puppy to enjoy his freedom. Also, off leash game of ? fetching a ball' and a good run helps to mentally and physically stimulate the pup, which is a must for every dog, Some people are apprehensive about keeping their pets off leash. Some of their common excuses are:
Dog will run away : People often complain that since their dogs get attracted to other dogs, people walking by, or cats, besides moving objects such as vehicles or balls, they are likely run after them and get into problems. This mainly happens because the dog is never given a chance to explore is surroundings off leash and is not trained not to chase things or moving objects.
Chase behavior: Most people complain that once off leash, their dogs chase cats, kids and other moving objects.
Chasing instinct is an inborn trait in most of the dogs and is high in some. You should identify...
Your Dog Should Know To Behave Well Even When Off Leash