Questions about German Shephard?

Question

Hello,
I'm considering getting a German Shephard dog, and I have a few questions:

1.I have a LOT of cats. If I raise a GSP puppy with them, would cats be safe from him?

2.Are they relatively easy to be trained? Do they listen to you when you talk or do they jump and lick at you and not listen?

3. We were going to put the pup in the front yard, which is about 1/4 to 1/2 of an acre, is that enough room for him or her?

4.Is ok to keep him inside the house until he is a certain age and then put him outside?

Is there anything else I should know before I consider getting one? There are a few reasons why I want a GSP, a.) I would like a guard dog, b.)I want a walking companion, c.) I don't want coyotes to come up in my yard, d.) I want a loyal companinion that will listen when I talk and not lick my hands and stuff when I pet him or her. Is the GSP a good dog for me?

I wouldn't chain him or her. Half of our yard is fenced in, the other is not. We are most likely going to get one of those electric things you put in the ground around the half with no fence, reason being my cats stay in the fenced in part.

Answer 1

1. I would think that the cats will put the dog in it's place. The puppy can be taught to tolerate the cats and even to leave them alone.

2. German Shepherds are extremely smart dogs and are very eager to please. Please make sure that you give the puppy alot of love and got the puppy to respect you first and foremost. You must be seen as the "leader of the pack".
I start training my dogs from the time they are very young. I teach them to sit, stay, down, load up ( to get into a vehicle), out ( to get out of an area), and come.
When they are just little, I lay on the floor with them and start to bond with them. The first thing I teach them is to come. I call them and they come running and I really, really priase them. I hate it when people have a dog that won't come to them because the dog knows it is going to get hit. That is counterproductive.
AS a puppy they will want to jump up and lick you because they are letting you know that you are the pack leader. An easy way to teach a puppy not to jump is to knee it in the chest and say the command DOWN. Make sure that you knee the dog hard enough that you throw him/her off balance while telling them DOWN.

3 & 4 You are smart to keep the pupy in the house for a while, mainly to get him/her adjusted to everyone and everything in the house. This will also help you to bond with the puppy. I would suggest you also take to puppy out on a leash and walk around the property so that it know the smells of the outdoors as well. ( I have big older dogs and generally let them teach the puppy by example) I think you have plenty of room for the puppy to run.

There are some excellent books out there about German Shepherds. I don't know if you have ever heard of he Monks of New Skete ( in New York), but they specialize in breeding, training and raising German Shepherds. They have two very good books that I recommend. The first book is called - The Art of Raising a Puppy. The second book is called How to be Your Dog's Best Friend.
I myself have a male ( 5 years old) and a female ( 8 years old) German Shepherd that are hard to beat. They are excellent ( and look threatening) watch dogs, very funny and very loving. They are loyal to a fault and I know that they would probably lay down their life for me. I love them to death!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Oh I really reccomend a german shepherd I have one and he is the best dog I have ever had

1.I have a LOT of cats. If I raise a GSP puppy with them, would cats be safe from him?

My dog didn't grow up with cats but when we got one we introduced it to him and he took to it very well he was kind and gentle and when it got outside he even helped us get it by gently pinning it down. He was never aggresive with it and he would treat her like a princess

2.Are they relatively easy to be trained? Do they listen to you when you talk or do they jump and lick at you and not listen?
My dog trained very well. Just speak sternly. He was housebroken within 2 days. If you want you can use the method in which my family trained him. We hung a strip of bells on the door and taught him how to jingle them with his nose when he had to go outside. Just when he whines or goes over to his Newspaper Grab his collar and gently walk him over to the door and jingle the bells and let him outside.


3. We were going to put the pup in the front yard, which is about 1/4 to 1/2 of an acre, is that enough room for him or her?

I would say yes. They generally don't need to much space. But it depends on the dog

4.Is ok to keep him inside the house until he is a certain age and then put him outside?
Well I really don't know on this question. My shepherd is an indoor dog and has been all his life but I noticed as he got older he wanted to stay outside more and less time inside.

Is there anything else I should know before I consider getting one? There are a few reasons why I want a GSP, a.) I would like a guard dog, b.)I want a walking companion, c.) I don't want coyotes to come up in my yard, d.) I want a loyal companinion that will listen when I talk and not lick my hands and stuff when I pet him or her. Is the GSP a good dog for me?

They are excellent guard dogs and also excellent house dogs. Great walking companions and I know for sure if you own a shepherd you will get many compliments on how gorgeous your dog is ;) Coyotes won't dare come in your yard with the shepherd around They'll learn quick! We had the same problem. GSP's are probably the most loyal dog there is. They listen well and as for licking the hands idk yours might I know when mine gets excited he will but I know some who won't. Just train him/her not to and I'm sure they won't

Answer 3

They are great dogs, I have had 3! Getting a puppy is the way to go for sure. Raise it with your cats and there won't be a issue but you must be firm with this breed. Make sure any attempt to play with the cat is to tell it no consistently. Keeping your pup outside is fine but I would start with it in the house first to get it crate trained, and house broken. Plus its common for this dog to get stolen if its a puppy so I would not put it outside until its at least 6 months old and I hope your talking about being in a fence yard and not a chain. They are a very loyal breed and tend to bond with one person more then the other. Its not easy to get this breed acclimated to a new home after being with you for some time. Remember that they are a herding breed so you need to stay un top of that instinct not chase after things like cars or bikes or kids. Once you get this dog trained he will be one of the best you have had or will ever have.

Answer 4

lets start with the points..

1) Yes, almost all dogs will be fine with other animals if they are raised with them, so not to worry!

2) They are also relatively easy to train, as they are very intelligent and sensitive to what you think of them. Just make sure that you assert yourself as their authority from the beginning and teach him his commands at an early age, and he will be the model dog.

3) I had a lab on that much yard, and believe me, it is plenty. Just make sure that it is properly fenced, so that you can keep your pup from getting itself into bad situations!

4) You can do it, but it might almost be mean. Your dog won't understand why he is suddenly kicked out and "abandoned" by his family, and may become depressed and even develop some bad habits. The best thing to do is to treat him the same from day one, always being consistent about what he can and cannot do. This makes a stable, obedient pet. They are fine both inside and outside, but it might be best for you to just pick one.

It sounds like a GSP should be perfect for you. they are naturally very protective over their property and family, and will keep you safe if danger presents itself. The coyotes will definately be a bit more deterred, but again, you will want to have a solid fence in place so that your dog doesn't get too caught up in chasing them and run away!

As far as him licking your hands "and stuff", it really depends on the dog. My dog has never licked anything but his food bowl and his feet his entire life.(i don't know why) But german shepherds are not usually the hyperactive cover-you-with-drool kind of dog. It might affectionately give you a single lick while sitting or laying next to you, but thats about the end of it. And if you show him his boundaries, he will never jump up on you or do anything like that unless you let him do it. Be prepared for the puppyhood/juvenile stages though, because they usually are pretty crazy then!! But if you stick it out, they will mellow out and be perfect.

Answer 5

My dog is a female german shepherd, what to say i lov eher so much, she is absolutely fantastic. I see that she is also quite intelligent and in certain times enough obbidient. Unfortunately when she sees cats she feels like ripping them apart by barking furiously and growling at the sight of one. Anyways i am sure that if a german shepherd learns to grow up with a cat they should get along well after some decent training.

Answer 6

they are great protective dogs. i raised one but they can tend to be a little sneaky when they want something. a male will be a better choice as females that i have raised are more dominent.you will have to start training as soon as you get him and use the leash and make sure he knows where his boundies are so he won,t get into any trouble.they are very intelegent and loveable.I would keep him as an indoor dog so he will also protect you inside when you are alone.just make sure he knows you are the boss and give him lots of love and he will be a great pet. as long as he is raised with the cats at a young age he should get along with your cats.

Answer 7

1.) cats depend on the personality, and the sex of the dog, so its not predictible

2.) they are good dogs, but as i have just resently found out. dogs dont behave till they are a year old. puppys do lick you and nip at you and jump on you. thats just the way they are.

3. thats enough room, just make sure you have a house for them

4.) no thats not ok.. have them spend time outside alot as puppys so they dont have such a dramatic change. but also let them inside, otherwise they will be neglected and be mean.

Answer 8

Look into the Japanese Akita Dog.
They were bred ( at one point of there history) using german shepherds. I believe Akita's to be the next step up. They are better guard dogs and have fewer irritating behaviour issues. shepherds tend to bark too much and are not better looking than an Akita.

Answer 9

I have had a German Shepard who did not grow up with cats and he actually killed one of our cats... but now we have one that has grown up with cats and she is fine with them she is Evan a little scared of them!

when they r a pup pie, no.. they r so hi per it is scary.

that is plenty of room ... while it is a puppy. it will need more room to run when it grows up.

only if you want everything to be eaten they are SO destructive!

I think that you will love your new GPS!

Answer 10

hi,hehe