Your Advices about German Shepherd

13 years ago

Hi Insist. Start her off with a good quality/premium dog food - not the dog food they sell in supermarkets or big box stores. Secondly, provide her with adequate exercise. Last but not least, teach her the basic commands i.e. sit, down, stay, come etc.

Enjoy your new best friend!

Thanks
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Insist

13 years ago

Originally Posted by waterotter

Hi Insist. Start her off with a good quality/premium dog food - not the dog food they sell in supermarkets or big box stores. Secondly, provide her with adequate exercise. Last but not least, teach her the basic commands i.e. sit, down, stay, come etc.

Enjoy your new best friend!

Thank you , so how can i find the good quality/premium dog food ? what's that exactly ?

Thanks
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waterotter 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Insist

Thank you , so how can i find the good quality/premium dog food ? what's that exactly ?

I don't know where you live. Here, we can buy quality food at the pet stores or the local co-op. Keep in mind they also sell cheap foods.

Just ask the sales person to help you. You don't want something that is just a bunch of fillers i.e. corn. cornmeal etc. Premium dog food will cost more, but it's worth it - and the dog won't require as much as she would the cheap stuff.

I guess the difference is feeding your dog junk food or feeding her healthy food. That alone can prevent many problems down the road. Food allergies is a really big/common issue with many dogs nowadays. It can be costly to treat, then once treated, the dog requires a special food that is very expensive (appox. $100/month).

Dogs don't need dog food that has a bunch of food coloring - that's just more chemicals that the dog doesn't need.
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Ron Kerr

13 years ago

Congratulations on choosing the best dog breed in the world.

I currently have a 4 year old female (my avatar when she was a puppy) and had a male before her who lived almost 14 years.

They where from different breeders and unrelated, but are the most loving, protective dogs you could wish for. The male we had came into our family when my children were 4 and 7 years old, and he allowed them to do anything to him, simply walking off if they became too rough. At the same time, I know he would have defended them if anyone did anything bad to them, or even threatened to do so.

My current female is similar. She loves to play with family members and is great when we take her on walks and interact with other people or dogs. At the same time she is a great defender of her home and family.

The key with such a strong, intelligent breed is to assert yourself as the leader early on and socialise with other people and dogs so that she becomes familiar with them and does not fear strange people or dogs. You need to be in charge and she will love ans respect you for your leadership.

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waterotter

13 years ago

Ron is correct - the dog needs to understand who the boss is. Socializing is the dog will save you both headaches down the road.

Another suggestion - rub her ears and play with her paws - down the road when it's time to clean her ears or trim her nails, she won't fuse as much.

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Kay King

13 years ago

The key with such a strong, intelligent breed is to assert yourself as the leader early on and socialise with other people and dogs so that she becomes familiar with them and does not fear strange people or dogs. You need to be in charge and she will love ans respect you for your leadership.

I want to expand on this - I've raised and trained three Shepherds and find people don't always interpret advice correctly.

Asserting yourself as a leader is not the same thing as forcing a dog to do what you want. Train the dog with positive reinforcement - use small treats to encourage the dog to learn to sit, stay, come, etc. NEVER hit the dog, NEVER kick a dog, do not tie up a dog outside and leave it for hours or days unattended.

The closer the dog lives with you and family, the better the dog will be and the more you will understand each other. A shephard will be your best and most loyal friend.

Socialize the dog as a puppy by taking it where there are other people and other dogs. This is a smart animal that wants to please you - the greatest challenge is learning how to tell the animal what you want from it.

These are wonderful dogs when raised in a loving home the only person at risk is someone who tries to harm your or your family.

If you have no experience with dogs, I'd advise reading up them - one great resource available on amazon (not an affiliate link)

Amazon.com: Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday...
Good luck - you have chosen a great breed. Enjoy her and make her part of the family.

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KimW

13 years ago

I agree with all that has been said, especially with them being the best dogs in the world.
Treat them right,train them right and love them and you will have no better friend in the world.

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365Daysof 13 years ago

Here's a socialization checklist I created, to get your puppy used to different real-life scenarios.

I don't have shepherds (but I've trained them and rehabbed them), I have a Dogo Argentino, myself... another intelligent and somewhat independent breed.

*smiles*
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Scott Skinner

13 years ago

Shepherds are extremely intelligent and protective dogs. There is a lot of great advice given so far. One person in the home Must be the "pack leader" in the eyes of this dog. If you do not understand how to do this, please buy a course on it. There are many good ones out there. Cesar Milan is one of the best. When raised, trained and treated properly, your family could not have a better friend and protector than a Shepherd.

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BasilInc.

13 years ago

Congrats on your new pup! There is NOTHING like a German Shepherd. I've owned several and imho there is not a breed that comes close. The greatest book on raising a GSD (or any dog for that matter) Dog Training
The Art of Raising a Puppy By the Monks of New Skete. Yes Monks. They are in the Berkshire Mts and have been raising and training German Shepherds for years.
Enjoy!

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Sheryl Polomka

13 years ago

Congrats on your new family member. Although I must differ from everyone else's opinion and say that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are the best breed

but I'm a little biased too

Really take the time to train your puppy using positive reinforcements as Kay mentioned. Take her to obedience training so she can socialize with other dogs and also learn basic obedience training. A big dog always needs to know it's place in the pack so right from the start let her know that you are the pack leader.

You must be very excited. Our puppy is 7 months old now so it wasn't too long ago that I was excitedly waiting for his arrival. She will bring you so much love - enjoy every minute of it.

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hireava

13 years ago

Nice to know that you're a having a pet.This breed sheds bits of hair constantly and is a seasonally heavy shedder. They should be brushed daily or you will have hair all over your home. Bathe only when necessary, over bathing can cause skin irritation from oil depletion. Check ears and trim claws regularly.