German Shepherd

German Shepherd Dogs are dogs not humans in fur coats. They need to be treated like dogs FIRST. Allow us to help you understand German Shepherd Dogs and their needs. These highly intelligent animals have feelings, not necessarily the way people have feelings, but feelings all the same.

Many of the German Shepherd Dogs that come to rescue come with issues. This is not such a bad thing if you think about it for a couple of minutes. We work with the dog in rescue on its issues and give you details before you adopt. Many times we can resolve issues before the dog leaves the rescue. Plus, we are available for assistance and chats after you adopt at no charge to you. This service is included in your adoption fee.

Leadership from Every Member of the Family and Obedience Training. Great dogs don?t just happen. They are developed with loving patience and positive training. Unless you are prepared to work with a German Shepherd dog every day you may want to consider another pet. Once you've made the decision to adopt a dog you need to start and/or continue obedience training. Training does not have to be formal classes, it can be as simple as having your dog sit for a cookie. Keep reinforcing the sit command and before long you'll be able to use in all kinds of situations to keep your dog safe.

Daily exercise. A large fenced yard does not provide proper exercise or mental stimulation for a German Shepherd Dog. Proper walks allow a dog?s mind as well as its body to return to a natural order. Left alone for long periods in a fenced yard may lead your dog to dig, bark and jump fences, etc.

Companionship. Time with you is necessary for the well-being of a German Shepherd Dog. These are people dogs; they need their people. A German Shepherd Dog needs companionship once you have established your place as Pack Leader. Companionship is where there is plenty of room for hugs, cookies and kisses after the dog or puppy understands the rules and boundaries.

Trips to the vet for immunizations and check-ups. As a dog ages its medical needs may increase including the need for medications. Heart worm preventative medication and flea protection are required. High quality food and fresh water in sufficient quantities to keep the dog lean and healthy will help minimize trips to the vet for colds and other preventable illnesses.

Grooming. Daily brushing to limit the hair flying around your house. German Shepherd Dogs shed constantly. Bath a dog or puppy only as needed.

Supervision with young children. German Shepherd Dogs are known to be protective of young children, but you should never leave a dog alone with children. Children have not developed the skills and judgment to treat a dog with respect.

Vigorous daily exercise requirements depending on the energy level of the dog.

Possible rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young.

Possible destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough.

Possible aggression or shyness toward people in some bloodlines or when the dog was not well socialized.

Possible aggression toward other animals if not provide with proper leadership.

Possible chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars.

Shedding constantly, it cannot be avoided with German Shepherd Dogs.

Possible legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits).

Remember, all these negatives can be overcome by being a strong pack leader.

Owning a German Shepherd Dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The German Shepherd Dog is known for its intelligence, loyalty, trainability, adaptability, protective nature when needed and an excellent family companion. One look into the eyes of a German Shepherd Dog can melt the hardest heart. On the scale of 1 to 10 in cuteness a German Shepherd Dog always scores a 12. A breed of exceptional stamina, the German Shepherd Dog was initially bred to trot all day long. Usually calm and quiet indoors, the German Shepherd needs lots of outdoor exercise to maintain condition.

German Shepherd Dogs may be black and tan, black and red, black and silver, all black, all white, sable or variations on those themes. A dog may be super high energy (these dogs usually do best as working dogs for the Police, Military, other governmental agency or some other service), high energy requiring lots of vigorous exercise a couple of times a day, medium energy requiring one long walk, run or jog a day and couch potatoes which require a nice walk every day.

Do you know the most dangerous breed walking around today? HUMANS that do not take the responsibility of owning a dog seriously. Dogs need to be trained to be good citizens. The AKC offers the Canine Good Citizen test for dogs. Those that pass are recorded in their records. Insurance companies look favorably on dogs that pass the Canine Good Citizen certification.

Dogs live in present time. They do not care what you did yesterday or what you may do tomorrow. Their world is simple. The world is either safe or dangerous. Strong pack leaders keep their dogs world safe.

GOOD DOGS ARE BORN THAT WAY.
Puppies and dogs make excellent lifelong companions. Neither puppies nor dogs are born knowing what humans expect of them. Besides being a strong pack leader dog owners need to provide kind, loving training to create a lifelong successful relationship. Puppies and dogs are amoral beings, unable to tell the difference between right and wrong on their own. They do not and cannot think like human beings. Providing gentle, loving training educates these wonderful additions to our lives on how to fit into the world of human. Training doesn't just happen over night, but a little bit at a time with 15 minutes of effort each day. Training is or should be fun for both you and your dog.

PUPPIES ARE BETTER THAN DOGS.
Everyone loves a cute, cuddly puppy right? Maybe. Puppies take a tremendous about of time and energy to properly socialize, house train, obedience train, and stop from chewing, shredding and destroying anything with which they come in contact.

An adult dog is a known quantity. You can see his or her health status, personality and determine the dog's drive. A puppy is a ball of possibilities that you hope will turn out well. It is difficult to know how a puppy will turn out. We love the story of the lade that bought a 10-week-old puppy from a breeder. The breeder told the lady the puppy would be gentle and laid back with low drive. Just the opposite was true as the puppy grew. Thankfully, the woman knew how to direct all the energy and drive. A different owner may have placed the dog in a shelter or with animal control or a rescue group when his true nature developed.

Puppies must be taken outside every 45 minutes while house training them. You cannot take your eyes off a puppy during the house training period. Do you have the time and energy to watch a puppy until he or she is reliably house trained? Often older dogs are housebroken, crate trained, and have some level of obedience training.

I WANT A PUPPY SO WE BOND PROPERLY. People working in Rescues, at Humane Societies, and Animal Control can tell you it is a fact of nature adult shelter dogs that have been rescued bond quickly and strongly with their new human families. Dogs live in the present moment and need to feel safe. Dogs bond as well, if not better than puppies, with their human family members.

The strongest bond you can form with your dog is to provide the leadership the dogs needs to feel safe. His or her gratitude will be unending. Most dogs are born to be followers because there is only one leader per pack. Your dog wants to follow you, make it easy for him or her. A man, woman or child can be a pack leader. It just takes time to learn. Please take the time.