Questions for German Shepherd owners...?

Question

I have a 3 m/o GSD that I've had for about 2 weeks now. He's a good puppy so far...other than not paying attention to me at times, but overall I'm very happy with his temperment. I bought a book today that scared me a little...it says that 80-90% of all GSD's at some point during adolescence (10-24 months) will try to gain control over it's owner(s) by "challenging" - them perhaps by ignoring commands or even with a growl, snarl or snap. If the dog senses the slightest bit of fear in you, he'll take over as "leader." The book goes on to say that physical or verbal punishment practices will increase the possibility that this "challenge" will be violent. Anyway my questions...
1.) Is this true? Any experiences with this behavior?
2.) How do you correct a puppy without verbal punishments such as "NO!"
3.) My fiance has a slight fear of bigger dogs (seems to love this puppy so far though). If he scares her someday in the future is he going to disrespect her forever?
Thanks

Answer 1

I've had some experience with German Shephards, and shephard X's (even the X's tend to lean toward the g. s. tempermant)

Unlike other breads, which want to gain your respect, admiration, praise, etc. with shephards it's a whole other ball game. They are loyal to a fault. Do not adjust to change easily. Be sure...your relationship with your shephard is a partnership. You earn their respect, they earn yours. Your family in a sence, doesn't "own" the shephard...you and your family "belong" to him/her. What I mean is that your dog will naturally protect each and every family member as it's own family. What you have is a very intellegent breed with very distinct needs wants, etc. Shephards are much like human toddlers in a way. They will try to test the waters so to speak, by pushing buttons. One day, even though they understand what you want of them (highly intelligent!) they know what they want to do. You may see a very physical battle of the wills, but it shouldn't be a violent battle. They will just look at you, tempting fate, and then willfully disobey you in a flash! An important thing to do with a shephard is to distinguish your dominance. I've done this by holding mine down (during adverse behavior, willfull disobedience etc.) on her side. pinning her head to the floor. DO NOT HURT HER, but DON'T LET HER UP TILL SHE STOPS FIGHTING YOU! VEry important! A lot of the battle is showing her that she can trust you. Make sure feeding time is at the same time every day. Provide for an out of the way place where the dog can be left alone when she wants. TONSSSS of play time and excersize. You can use sharp, to the point verbal corrections as long as the rules of the house don't change. Don't create confusion in the dog, as it won't know what it's expected to do, and could develop nipping or other unwanted behaviors. This is truly a give and take relationship, but the rewards are WONDERFUL! You will have a loyal family member, who is protective and loving for life! I hope this helps.

There is so much about the shephard that is neat, and also a potential challenge that it's hard to enter them all here.

Something that is important to know is that shephards are very vocal by nature. They wine, wimper, hoot holler, and sometimes growl as a way of "talking". It's really neat, I think. Anyway, when they growl, it's not always a threat. Watch the body language when this happens. Pay attention to the context..what has happened, been said to the dog, etc. Shephards, when trained correctly still growl, but usually don't attack their "family"...that is unless one member appears to be threatening another. Loud noises around the dog aren't recommended at ALL as this could confuse the dog, and send him looking for someone to protect.

Answer 2

A well top rate top protein grade of dry puppy meals with a low grain content material. Always verify your element record and be certain that the beef content material is within the first few parts. Soy is a no-no for German shepherd puppies as it could actually motive digestive issues. You too can verify right into a uncooked meals vitamin on-line. German shepherds too can advantage from meals with glucosamine& chondroitin further to the meals. Those two sided brushes (gentle bristles on one facet and twine bristles at the different) and a losing blade are what I use. Also a well authentic grooming on the onset of losing season ia consistently a well method to move to get a manage at the main issue. They can get alongside simply first-class with different puppies. It simply occurs to rely at the instances. Most german shepherd that come from a well socialized atmosphere get together with every body, adding cats. German shepherds are the fine IMHO!! Feel loose to e mail me when you've got different questions and well good fortune.

Answer 3

Hi there. Since the moment my parents brought me home from the hospital, I have been surrounded by German Shepherds! When I was born they had 2 GSs about 3 or 4 yrs. old. The dogs were police trained GSs and were very well behaved. But they weren’t trained from the puppy stage. Before that, my daddy trained them. The best way he found to make sure the dogs knew who was boss was to do this. When ur puppy is eating his food, simply take his bowl away from him for a second. He may look at u confused and then perhaps growl or snarl. Firmly tell him no and, LIGHTLY, tap him on his nose and say, “Bad Boy!!”. What this does is assure ur place as his master- YOU have control over his food, he is NOT ur master. Also when offering him treats, demand that he sits before receiving the treat. If not this, then when handing him the treat don’t allow him simply to snatch the treat from ur fingers. If he lunges at the snack pull ur hand back and gently push his head away. Tell him “Gently…” and offer it again. Do this over and over until he gently and POLiTELY, if u will, takes the treat from ur hands. These seem like little things, but they will help ur puppy establish in his mind that YOU are the boss, and u can do this in a way that will still let ur dog respect u and stay loyal to u rather than be sh*t scared of u and loathe u, if u know at I mean. Also, generate some hand signals and/or commands to use with ur dog. Perhaps a certain noise or snapping or clapping to get him to do certain things or let him kno certain things. For example, when it’s time to eat, I have a certain whistle to let them know to come to the kitchen to get their food. I make a simple “SSSssst” noise to make them sit. When they are a lil too hyper I do a quick yell (HEY!) and place my finger in my palm to get them to shut up and sit down. And they have different nicknames by which I call them in certain situations. My youngest dog at the moment, Alex, is 5. When he is misbehaving or is too hyper and I need him to calm down and sit, I get his attn. By calling him “Al!” and when he is in BIG trouble I yell at him, “Alexander!!” in a firm, angry tone. When I am playing with him I call him “Allie” in a playful tone. He gets to kno ur moods, voice, habits, and u must purposely create these moods, tones, and habits so ur relationship with ur puppy is DEFiNED. Good luck with ur dog. I’m sure he is just adorable. My German Shepherds right now, (not the ones from when I was born that were police trained- those two died), are 5 and 8, the girl is Xena, she’s 8 and the boy is Alex, he’s 5. They are WoNdErFul pets and companions, but can be a handful. But they’d be worse if it weren’t for their training.. good luck and congratulations on ur addition to ur family…

Answer 4

The only thing that I would dissagree with is the time frame. It has been my experence that this happens between 5 & 7 months. This is what we use as a signal that a puppy has developed the cognative skills to properly understand a correction, and formal training can begine (basics) Our basics progran concludes at 11 months with swim-by.

Answer 5

i've owned shepherds for years. yes any dog at some point like a child will test their boundaries. why do you not want to use a verbal command? as for your fiance the best way is get her involved in the dog's care and training. the key is to be consistant. find a trainer who you agree with their training process and stick to it. these are great dogs and will be your best friend, but you have to have a firm loving hand and consistancy with them.

Answer 6

You need to get your puppy enrolled in an Obedience class. Do not go to Pet Smart, they don't know what they are doing. Start hand feeding your puppy his whole meal 1 piece at a time. Say his name......come then feed. And get him Neutered at 6 months before his Testosterone stars kicking in.

Answer 7

when u discipline your dog, do it firmly, yet softly. and dont fear him. even if he looks tough, i saw somewhere that GSDs are known to be sweet if they know u r in charge. my dog has three legs, and is really sweet, and is alpha dog.