Your German Shepherd Deserves Better: 8 Mistakes You Must Stop Making Now

German Shepherd is a popular dog breed for a good reason they are loyal, courageous and intelligent. This breed sure makes the best companion for the right owner. However like with all dog breeds there are certain methods or techniques that you need to apply in order to properly raise a German Shepherd. So today we’ll talk about the eight things you must never do to your German Shepherd.

Energetic and loving, German Shepherds are the happiest when they get to spend time with their family at home. You may find these dogs glued to you or other family members however. These dogs do not thrive to just any method of bringing up. In a nutshell a German Shepherd needs an owner who can provide him with consistent, positive and firm training. Later on we’ll get to know more about these amazing dogs.

Today we’re going over a video from the Animal Insider Youtube Channel that gives us 8 things we should never do with our German Shepherd.

1. Never let your German Shepherd go Ungroomed.

German Shepherds have a medium length thick double coat that enables them to withstand harsh climates. However this also means that they do shed a lot so it is important that they are groomed regularly unless you want to

come home with thick layers of fur all over your household. With a German Shepherd in your home investing in a high quality vacuum will be a huge help in reducing the fur that sticks onto your clothes, carpet, sofa and other furniture. However it does not mean that it’ll remove the fur completely because they are huge.

German Shepherds are jokingly called German shedders, in a week they’ll need to be brushed a few times to remove loose hair as well as to keep their hair in its best condition. They also blow their coat twice a year, which means that they’ll need to be brushed more often during these times. There is no way for you to keep them from shedding no matter what you do it’s a characteristic of German Shepherds that you need to accept if you decide to keep one of them in your home.

Since we’re already on the topic let’s talk about the other grooming needs of this breed. When it comes to bathing German Shepherds only need bathing when they get really dirty. Don’t bathe them too often as it may damage their skin’s natural oil which can cause dryness of the skin. Trimming their nails once or twice a month is also necessary since it can be painful for them if their nails are left uncut. Check their ears eyes and skin for dirt, debris, redness or any signs of infection. Lastly brushing their teeth regularly helps keep their gums and teeth healthy, keep in mind that these dogs love to chew so giving them safe dental chew toys will help prevent bacteria buildup.

2. Never leave your German Shepherd without Exercise

German Shepherds are far from being couch potatoes. Originally bred to herd flocks all day these dogs are the happiest when they’re given a job to do. Built for action German Shepherds come with a great deal of energy that you

need to burn off every day to ensure that they won’t be destructive at home. German Shepherds benefit from a variety of physical activities aside from regular walks at the park, these dogs also love a game of fetch or frisbee to keep their minds working, at the same time you can train them for specific jobs at home and they can also be trained for canine sports such as agility and obedience.

These dogs are intelligent so keeping their mental well-being healthy is just as important as their physical health. After a long day outside these dogs will rest and recharge at home. While a physically and mentally stimulated dog won’t be boisterous inside the house giving her dog chew toys and puzzle games will help keep their minds busy all day long.

Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation these dogs can become bored and frustrated which can lead to development of destructive behaviors such as chewing, excessive barking, digging and scratching. In addition like other herding dogs German Shepherds tend to bark a lot. So if you live in a home with noise restrictions this breed is not the best choice. Fortunately they can learn the quiet command but it does not mean that they’ll be quiet at all times especially when there’s a threat nearby.

3. Never Feeding them Improperly

As energetic dogs German Shepherds should have a diet developed for large-sized dogs. Keep in mind that your dog’s diet will change as he grows from puppyhood to adulthood and a senior German shepherd. Pups about four to seven months of age benefit from a high quality low calorie diet to prevent them from growing too quickly which may lead to bone disorders.

If you’re unsure what and how much to feed your dog it’s best to consult their veterinarian or a professional nutritionist for a recommendation. Overfeeding or under feeding dogs can have a huge effect on their health, so it’s important that you meet their feeding requirements.

4. Never let your German Shepherd feel Unloved

German Shepherds are known to be loyal, loving and faithful dogs however before they can be like that you need to make them feel the same way therefore you need to spend as much time as you can with them. True they can be high

maintenance dogs but they are sure to bring back whatever you give them a hundredfold.

If you’re able to give them plenty of love, care and devotion these dogs will be your favorite best friend.

5. Never allow your German Shepherd to Grow up without Receiving Adequate Socialization

Aside from giving him sufficient food and exercise it’s also important to socialize your dog while he’s still young. Never allow your German Shepherd to grow without socialization as it may lead him to being aloof and reserve

towards strangers which increases the risk of aggression. While still young expose your German Shepherd to various people, animals, sights, sounds, environments and situations so that once he grows old he won’t panic and get anxious even when he’s surrounded by strangers.

6. Never leave your German Shepherd in a Crate for a long time

As mentioned earlier German Shepherds are the happiest when they get to spend time with their family. Therefore you must give them plenty of time, love and attention. If you’re a busy person the tendency is that you’ll leave your dog in a crate until you get back home. German Shepherds won’t thrive in such situations. Ideally you should spend at least two hours going into physical activities with your dog.

At home you should also allow them to cuddle with you on the couch or at least spend some time close to you. If you need to go out for a short while make sure that they have someone with them to keep them company such as another family member, a trusted friend or neighbor or another canine companion that they’re comfortable with.

7. Never Confuse your German Shepherd by using different Training Techniques

Raising a dog is like raising a child, if you use different teaching techniques and are constantly confusing your dog then it’s most likely that he won’t learn anything from you, worse he won’t listen to your commands. Moreover if you use punishments to discipline your dog then you’ll end up with a dog with low self-esteem and is neither shy nor aggressive. Therefore it is crucial to only use specific techniques when training your dog and that’s using rewards-based training.

For example if your dog follows your command, reward him with treats and praise as soon as the action is done. Just be patient with the training and you’ll soon have a dog that will respect your words.

8. Never Feed your German Shepherd Table Scraps

Regularly feeding your dog with table scraps can lead to several health concerns for your dog. This is because most table scraps contain too many calories and oils that

are bad for their health. This can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can severely affect your dog’s health in the long run.

If you’re unsure what or how much to feed your dog every day it’s best to consult a veterinarian for recommendations.

Like all other dogs German Shepherds thrive in specific types of families. While they’re not the best choice for everyone, indeed for the right family they are wonderful and versatile dogs who can be used for a variety of

purposes. If you already have one of these dogs at home knowing what you should not do to them will help you raise a well-behaved, obedient and respectful dog.