For active families who are looking for a versatile pet, German shepherd dogs must be

on top of your choices. They can be a house pet and at the same time they can also be

a working dog as guard or police dog. It is known to all that German shepherd dogs

are popular police dogs and rescuers. However, their gentle character is one of the

reasons why they can be great pets to kids, too. With the right training, they can blend

well with people in a household and even perform the duties of a guard dog at the

same time.

This is quite contrary to the common impression that German shepherds are fierce

dogs. The characters of a German shepherd dog would generally say that this breed is

extremely intelligent, quick to learn, and loyal to his master. If you are well-versed

about this breed, you can maximize this dog's potentials to your benefit. Choosing a

German shepherd as your family pet may depend on the type of lifestyle that you live

and your purpose of getting a pet. They need ample of daily exercise to release their

energies. If they are not given enough time to exercise outdoors, they tend to be

overexcited and restless.

Thus, you need to ensure that you have the time to accompany your pet outdoors.

They need special attention for trainings and exercise that is why owners of this breed

must be aware of their obligations. Otherwise, having this pet may just be a pain in

the head. These important facts about German shepherds you have to know prior to

owning one. Do not be an irresponsible owner because you might cause problems not

only to your household but to other people as well. Training a German shepherd is not

too complicated since their breed is basically easily trainable. They are quick learners

and smart, so don't worry about their capacity to cope with the training.

However, you need to at least have enough knowledge in training this particular dog

breed if you intend to handle the training yourself. Training must start while the dog is

still young. If it's too late, there is a greater tendency that German shepherd dogs will

be difficult to handle. A Guide to German shepherds would often recommend that you

need to implement a firm training on this breed. It is important that they learn proper

behavior while they are young so that they can be easily handled when they mature.

Like training any other dog breed, positive reinforcement through compliments and

rewards are highly recommended for German shepherd dogs, too.

Having a healthy and well-trained dog could bring in a lot of joy and pride to you and

your family. They are considered to be as one of the best dogs in the world to own. If

you plan to own this type of breed, then stuff yourself with enough information on

raising German shepherd dogs. It may not be too easy at first but as you dedicate

more time and effort to raising this breed, it would be more rewarding.

So....you've decided to take the plunge and get a German Shepherd pup. First of all,

congratulations, GSs are my absolute favourite breed, noted for their loyalty,

intelligence and protectiveness. I read once that they exhibit all the traits of the ideal

human!!

I suggest finding a quality breeder in your area, this can be done by scanning the ads

in your local paper, a quick Google search or ideally by word of mouth. Referrals

from friends are often better than going to someone unknown and its certainly the

case here: there are excellent breeders out there but there are also some not-soexcellent

ones.

From the breeder you should pick out a pup that is healthy and make sure you find out

about the health of the parents. There are various scores and ways of measuring the

health of GS and a good breeder should have records of these for the parents.

To get the most out of your GS it should be treated well, given a good diet and well

trained. GSs have high intelligence and are noted for their ability to learn even

complicated tricks. At a very minimum they should be trained the basic, 'sit', 'come'

and 'heel' commands, which anyone should be able to teach with an even basic

knowledge of training. Whilst training there are some noted 'old school' ways of

training that are definitely best avoided. A general rule of thumb on this is to never

train in an oppressive or cruel way; this is more than likely going to develop negative

behaviour in the GS which could be life-long. It's important for the dog to know who

the leader is from an early age though and never to lose sight of this. It's the nature of

a pack animal to either be a leader or a follower and the dog will assume whichever

role seems to be more open.

The saying 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' whilst not 100% true is at the same

time worth noting; really the earlier a dog is trained the easier and better.

Finally, it has been said that a dogs personality comes to be similar to that of the

owner and there's definitely some truth in this. So bearing this in mind, ALWAYS

treat your GS with love and affection and they'll return it in spades.

Training German Shepherd Puppies - Tips and Tricks to a Better Behaved GSD

When training German Shepherd puppies you want to ensure you do it right. You may

have the basics, but are missing some of the tips and tricks that could make a real

difference. Being a highly intelligent breed makes them easier in some ways to train,

listed here are some tips to make the process even smoother.

Session Length:

Keeping sessions to a reasonable length, it is important thing to remember to keep the

session enjoyable for both trainer and trainee. As well as a session is going, you never

want to press it past the point where you are going to lose their concentration.

Cleanliness is next to Dogliness:

German Shepherds shed a large amount of hair. To relieve yourself of a large amount

stress and avoid the chases around the yard with a brush you should get your GSD use

to being groomed at a young age.

Look em in the Eyes:

Your Shepherd will often try to get your attention first by looking you in the eyes.

This form of communication is very important to a Shepherd. You will make your

training a whole lot easier if you incorporate this from the start of training.

When training, it is always suggested to train hand signals along with the verbal

commands. This will come in useful in various situations, the dog is a bit of a distance

away and they may not hear you clearly, as well in situations where you don't or are

unable to speak or yell.

The Early Trainer gets the Best Behaviour:

The old adage of you can't teach an old dog new tricks is no true but does suggest a

good point. The younger they are when you start training the easier it will be on you

both. Starting at about the age of 4 months you can start training and taking them to

obedience/socialization classes.

The actual process of training German Shepherd puppies is far more in depth than the

few tips listed here, these are merely some suggestions to make the process easier. Do

your research and possibly invest in a dog training program.

One of the best ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy is by training them. This

breed is well-known for its intelligence and hard work so it is easier to train them

unlike poodles or pugs. Not only does training your German shepherd keep it healthy

but it also allows your dog to attain its full potential as a great companion and family

member. This article will give some ideas what you should train your German shepherd.

Train them as early as you can

You can not teach an old dog new tricks, that is why it is best to train your dog as

early as possible. The recommended age for a German shepherd to start training is

around four months onwards. As young puppies, these dogs are usually rowdy and

may easily create a mess in your home. So it is always a good idea to enroll your pet

in a dog club where professional trainers can train your dog not to make a huge mess

in your home. Not only do these clubs discipline your dogs, they also make them

socialize with other dogs.

Training your dog to be regularly groomed is also important. German shepherds

usually shed huge amounts of hair. Getting your dog used to being groomed can

relieve you of the stress of chasing him all around the house or yard to simply get him

cleaned up. Though you may get to groom your dog at a regular basis, it is also best to

keep a good vacuum cleaner in order to get rid of scattered hair.

Training your dog can be very fun and exciting and it should be done everyday. This

will lead to a better companionship between you and your dog.

German Shepherd Training - 7 Steps to a Well Trained GSD

When looking German Shepherd Training it is important to remember that you do this

not only for yourself but for the welling but you GSD as well. Being large dogs with

active minds they require something to occupy their body and mind, this is what

training does for them. For you it provides a pet that is under control, well behaved

and trustworthy. Read below for 7 steps to a well trained GSD.

Your Shepherd must know that you are in control. Being pack dogs they require

and Alpha leader, this must be you. If you do not take up this role your dog will.

Shepherds are eager learners but to be able to learn they must be able to focus on

you. Conduct your training is an area free of distraction for both your GSD and

yourself.

Consistency is key. You must provide consistent training with consistent rules; you

can not change them as you go. Your Dog is eager to please but they must know how

to do that, they will get confused and frustrated if you change the hows on them.

At 8 weeks your German Shepherd is old to start some informal training. House

training and teaching them not to bite and jump are appropriate at this age to teach.

Your GSD is going to be very large when full grown, you must have them properly

leash trained to avoid a sore arm on your daily walks, 10 weeks of age is an

appropriate to start this.

It is important for your Shepherd to learn basic obedience commands such as sit,

stay, come and down, for these you may want to attend an obedience class once your

puppy reaches 4 months old.

An old dog CAN learn new tricks; it is never too late to begin training a Shepherd.

German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs and able to learn at any stage of life.

There you go, 7 basic steps to German Shepherd training. These steps, along with

professional training in the form of classes or study at home courses will help you to

raise a loyal, loving and protective companion.

Taking care of the basic health and grooming needs of your pet can be expensive if

taken to a professional, but most of the things a professional does you can do yourself.

For this example we're using the same type of dog that I have, a German Shepherd

Dog.

It's important to remember that most unique breeds will have very different grooming

and health requirements. Doing grooming yourself will cause much less stress to your

dog, and in some cases they will even learn to enjoy it.

My German Shepherd looks forward to grooming (She knows that it is time for plenty

of rub downs, playing, and treats.) You want to make sure you praise and reward your

dog for being good while being groomed - you want to make it an experience that

they look forward to.

It is true that German Shepherds have a "double coat". This means they have that nice

thick layer of outer fur that's longer and more coarse and a softer fluffy, downy layer

of fur beneath.

While German Shepherds shed year round, shedding becomes really noticeable

twice a year when they "blow their coat". This is where they basically shed most of

the summer, (then later on winter) coat over the course of a week or so.

To keep this from being a complete mess, you can groom more frequently and make

sure that when grooming you get deep into the undercoat as well. Getting into the

undercoat with a standard brush proves very challenging, it's better to get something

that's specifically designed to clear up the undercoat like an Undercoat Rake.

When grooming, you should begin at the head of your German Shepherd and brush

back to the coat & tail with a slicker brush. You should then comb through the coat

with a metal comb to remove any other loose hair. If you want you can go over the

entire coat with a rubber curry brush. (This will help make the coat shinier and also

give your dog a good rubdown)

If it's shedding season, you will also want to use a shedding blade, (With this tool you

groom from the rear to the front). It is very important to know the proper use of a

shedding blade, and your groomer can help you with tips for proper use and safety.

You should never use a shedding blade if you're not 100% sure of the proper

technique.

Grooming tips for your German Shepherds include many different steps, all of which

are very important. And grooming is much more important than many people believe

it to be. It's true, German Shepherds are relatively maintenance free compared to

many dog breeds but your GSD will need a little grooming TLC occasionally as well.

Please do not neglect this area of German Shepherd ownership.

Doing grooming yourself is a great way to bond with your German Shepherd Dog.

Praise and reward your dog for being good while being groomed and many GSD's

Here are a few more basic grooming procedures to practice with your own German Shepherd dog or puppy.

Bath Time

Barring any encounters with foul smelling stuff, German Shepherds only need baths

about twice a year. While this doesn't sound like much, you have to remember that

your dogs hair is a barrier that is constantly keeping dirt out and keeping essential

skin oils in.

Over bathing your dog will strip these natural oils and lead to dry skin and possibly

skin issues and irritation. A dogs skin has a pH balance that is very different from

humans, and as such requires a different type of shampoo to keep from disrupting that

balance. When bathing your dog, remember to place cotton in their ears to prevent

water from getting in the ear canal. (Water in the ear can lead to ear infections)

If your dog gets a lot of activity on hard surfaces their nails should wear down

naturally, but if they're too long, or if they become chipped or broken, trimming will

help keep your dogs feet healthy. The center of a dogs toenail is a very sensitive

living tissue called the quick, and you want to avoid clipping into and/or too near the

quick as this will cause your dog great discomfort, bleeding, and could lead to other

more serious issues.

To ensure you don't trim into the quick it's best to remove very small amounts of nail

at a time. Pet shops now offer nail "filing" tools that remove paper thin layers of the

nail at a time and help round the surface as they do so. This is a great option for your

pet and will help with nails that are too long and/or nails that are chipped or broken.

Checking your dogs ears is very important and should be done weekly, and cleaned as

needed. Some signs that your dog may have ear issues are: Ears that are sensitive,

Swelling and/or redness of the skin in or around the ear, Head shaking and/or ear

scratching, Discharges or odors coming from the ear, Hematomas (blood blisters) on

the ear flap, or Melanomas (tumors).

If you think that your dog has any ear problems you should consult your vet

immediately. One common issue is wax buildup. If your dog has wax buildup, your

vet can give you liquid drops that will dissolve the wax and allow you to wipe it out.

Another common issue is ear mites. If your dog is doing a lot of head shaking and

scratching at it's ears, it may have ear mites and you should see your vet to get

medication to remove the ear mites. If your dog has ear mites, you may also notice the

mites though they are small white specks in your dogs ear or earwax.

To keep your dogs teeth healthy you may want to make sure that brushing their teeth is

part of your regular grooming schedule as well. personally i belive good old RMB do the trick much better and im pretty sure your GSD will thank you for it ( they dont have tooth brushes in the wild do they ! )

Remember to follow these grooming tips for your German Shepherd, all of which are

very important. Grooming is much more important than many GSD owners believe it

to be. Remember that even though German Shepherds are relatively maintenance free

compared to many dog breeds your GSD will need a little grooming TLC

occasionally as well. Please do not neglect this important aspect of German Shepherd

Dog ownership.

The German Shepherd breed is an excellent choice for a canine companion. However,

just like many other popular breeds, there are certain health problems that you need to

be aware of. Here are a few of the most prevalent German Shepherd dog health issues

to look out for:

Developmental bone and joint disease is a problem common to many large dog

breeds, affecting the younger animals. If your dog is affected, he may show no

symptoms at all, or he may demonstrate pain or lameness, and seem cautious about

movement. Hip dysplasia may cause leg muscles to actually waste.

Many German Shepherds also suffer from Hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the cells of

the interior lining of the blood vessels. This condition can affect the skin, heart, liver,

and spleen, as well as other organs. If you dog has Hemangiosarcoma, he may display

weakness, light-colored gums, a distended abdomen, or even physical collapse.

Another German Shepherd dog health problem is weakness in the hind legs. This can

also include wobbliness or a lack of coordination in the affected limbs. Multiple

factors can cause this, including bone or spinal degeneration or possibly a slipped disc

in the dog's back.

Another problem to look out for is a diseased thyroid gland which will cause either

over or under-production of thyroid hormones in some dogs. If your dog is

experiencing skin infections, lethargy, hair loss, or cold intolerance it could indicate a

thyroid problem.

Keep a keen eye on the eyes of your German Shepherd, especially if you notice

apparent squinting, excess tearing or discharge, redness, or rubbing of the eyes. You

should also be alert for any growths over the eye, regardless of the color. A condition

called Pannus, an inflammation of the dog's cornea, could cause any of these

problems and be detrimental to your dog's optical health.

A bacterial infection of the skin, sometimes accompanied by puss, is known as

Pyoderma and can be a problem in German Shepherds. It is unknown what causes this

condition, but it may be due to an immune deficiency. Your dog may have this if he

displays pimples or sores, hair loss, redness or other abnormal skin conditions. Some

dogs also become lethargic, or lose their interest in food.

A first step to avoiding these German Shepherd dog health issues is to make sure that

your dog does not come from a breeder where other dogs had these issues. Watch

your dog carefully, and be sure to consult your Vet if your dog displays any

symptoms, or behavior out of the ordinary.