Raising a puppy can be exhausting work-always second -guessing the pup’s next move and having endless patience and endurance in training him. but rewards are great. German Shepherds are very responsive, sensitive dogs, and puppy months are crucial for establishing the early ground rules cementing the foundation of your relationship.
FINDING THE RIGHT PUP
Be Prepared
When you first get a pup, it is easy to wish that he will always remain as cut, and never have to grow up; after a few month, however, you may find yourself praying for the relative clam of your dog’s adulthood!
before falling for that fluffy, floppy-cared German shepherd puppy, you should make sure you are absolutely committed to dog ownership.
• Do you have a lifestyle that means the dog will not be left for any length of time?
• Can you fulfill the exercise demand?
• Do you have time to devote to on-going socialization and training?
• Can you afford the food and veterinary bills?
• Do you have time to groom the dog regularly?
• Finally, are you sure you will remand as committed for the next 14 years are so, and that you circumstance will still accommodate responsible dog ownership?
If you have answered ‘no ‘to any of these questions you should reconsider having a dog-especially one as demanding as a German Shepherd.
Finding A Dog Breeder
A breeder is not only responsible for planning the litter, he/she is also responsible for introducing the puppies to the world. If the pups are given lots of love, attention and early socialization they will grow up thinking the world is a nice place to be. if they are stuck in a shed in the backyard, with little contact with anyone or anything other then their dam and littermates, you will really have your work cut out.
The busier the breeder’s household, the better. Pups who are used to everyday household noises the vacuum cleaner, washing machine etc. should settle well in to their new home with their family. Do not be offended if breeder interrogates you. A responsible breeder will want to be absolutely certain that their predacious pups will be well cared for in their new home and have the best home possible .Home-checks and reference are not unusual.
The breeder should also offer after-sales advice. Someone that cares for their litter will want you to call if you have problem or queries not jut for the first few weeks but for the entirety of the dog’s life.
Make sure you see the puppies’ mother and other close relatives if possible. this will you gave an indication of how the puppies will turn out, both physically and mentally. the mother should have a sound friendly temperament and should look healthy(bearing in mind she is a new mum).You should research the pedigree lines for any recurrent hereditary breed problem, and should check that the pups are clean, healthy and full of life. If you are at all dissatisfied with the breeder, the dam are pups, find another breeder.
Choosing your Puppy:
Most prospective purchasers have firm ideas as to whether they want a dog or bitch. Generally, there is very little difference between the two, although the male is bigger and more powerfully built. Many people say a bitch is more faithful, but dog owners dispute this.
Really, it is a matter of whether you prefer the feminine or masculine look, and whether you can cape with the inconvenience of a bitch’s season .Obviously, neutering is an option for either dog or bitch if you have no plans to breed.
Once you have decided on the next, it is time to choose the actual German Shepherd you will be taking home. Many breeders will have already ear-marked a pup or two for themselves to keep .It is best to be gilded by the breeder as to which puppy you choose. After living with the litter fore some time, the breeder will in a better position to advise you as to which personality is best for you. For example, a very forward, dominant pup may seem cute and precocious at eight weeks, but may prove too match of a handful for an inexperienced owner as it matures. Similar, a doe-eyed, timid little bundle in the corner is hard to resist, but many need as much knowledgeable handling by an experienced Shepherd owner as the very confident pup. If you are interested in showing your pup you should asked your breeder for advice on a pup with show potential.
The waiting Game:
most puppies are ready to go to their new home at eight weeks of age. before the big day arrives, there are certain preparations to make. The step is to puppy proof your house and garden. Shepherd are athletic, working dogs, and will make easy work of the short or rickety fence. Your garden should be fully fenced to at last six feet, and the fence foundation should be deep. As well as being good jumpers and climbers, German Shepherds are also accomplished diggers!
Your home must be made safe fore the puppy he should not be able to get access to any dangerous householder substance, such as cleaning materials. Either put them in top cupboard safety locks. Any that you would not like to see chewed should be put away, not only for your own convenience, but also for the pup’s health. Every day vets remove the most bizarre item for the pup’s stomachs-object that could prove fatal if the blockage is not dealt with urgently.
Journey Home:
At last, the time hose come to collect your puppy. With all the excitement, the journey home be never working for you both. To minimizes, leave a blanket with the breeder a duple of weeks before bringing the pup home and ask for it to be put litter’ shedding. The pup will then get accustomed to your smell in a warm, safe environment, and when it come to taking him home, he will have the security of his blanket which will not only have traces of your scent, but will also have all the familiar smells from his breeder’s home.
It is advisable to take a driver with you so that you can give all your attention to your puppy on the journey, cradling and reassuring him. The breeder is unlikely to feed the pup prior to departure, but if your pup is ill, do not be too concerned, as it is only natural on what is likely to be his first long journey. Equip yourself with kitchen paper and a towel for such eventualities or for any other accident that may happen.
Water should also be available, particularly if the journey is lengthy, and if it is a warm day (in which case, good ventilation in the vehicle is also essential).
Family Introductions:
German shepherds are inquisitive creature, and puppies are especially so. Your pup will be fascinated with all the new smells and people in your home, and will want to investigate. Let him explore the garden, meet the family, and investigate the kitchen and living room-and that will enough for one day It is very important not to overwhelm the new arrival, so try to maintain a clam atmosphere, particularly if have children who are bound to be over-excited.
First Night :
Like babies, puppies need a lot of sleep. After the introduction is over, give him his first meal, take him out to the garden to relieve himself, and settle him in his bed Cosy bedding in a puppy crate, situated in a quiet corner of the house (e.g.in the kitchen),makes a safe and comfortable den.
If your Shepherd is unsettled on his first night ,do not be too concerned. it will be the first time he has slept away from his dam and littermates, and he will still be unused to his new surroundings.
Some owners recommend ignoring the pup, believing that getting up in the naught to see to him will teach him that breaking and crying is a sure way of getting your attention thereby setting a precedent for many sleepless night to come. Other recommend attending to him, so that he is reassured in his new environment.
Taking him in to your bed can be unwise-unless you intend to have fully-grown adult Shepherd sharing your bed for next 12 years or so. Your puppy will have to get used it sleeping alone at some point-and it may as will be from the very start.
Feeding:
You are what you eat, or rather your dog is what you feed him, so diet is a very important aspect of your pup’s care, especially with a large breed such as the German Shepherd. Your breeder should provide you with a diet sheet to follow, and it is important that you adhere to it for at least the first few days of getting your pup home.
If you want to change to his diet, and use a new brand of food, it should be done very gradually. This will allow the pup to get used to his new food, without it being a shock to his system and resulting in tummy upsets. Put just a spoonful of the new food into his meal, a spoonful less of his former food. Gradually increase over the course of the several days, correspondingly putting in less of the former food, until a complete change-over has been achieved.
When you first get your German Shepherd puppy, he is likely to be on four meal, a day. This is generally cut to there meals when the put is around 12 weeks. If your puppy leaves one of his feeds, are doesn’t eat all of it, use the same daily food ration but divide it into three meals. The same cane be done when he goes down to two meals-one is morning and one is evening. This is generally at around six months of age. Some owners cut done it just one meal eventually, feeding his entire daily ration in one go, others prefer to continue with two feeds. Remember that your German Shepherd should always have access to fresh water.
FAMILY LIFE:
German Shepherds love people –and will take well family life, as long as they are treated with respect. Although they often have a ‘favorite’ they bond closely with all their ‘pack’. Interestingly, their favorite family member is not necessarily the person who feed them (German Shepherd are not so easily bribed!),but rather the person who trains them and who gains their respect that way. With their naturally protective instincts, some German Shepherds can focus their ‘favorite’ and may become unresponsive to other family members, It is therefore important to show your pup from a very early age, that he should respond to everyone in the house- even children. Including all family members in the trading of the pup will help to gain the pup’s respect and should lay the foundations for a happy home life.
Children:
Children and German Shepherds usually enjoy each other’s company and will develop a close relationship. However children and dogs-of any breed should always be supervised. This is as much for the dog’s safety as for the children’s. Some breeders may be reluctant to home a German Shepherd pup with a family with a young children’s again this is often for the dog’s sake. Generally having a children is good preparations-rearing puppies and children is so very different! If prospective owners arrive to view the litter and accompanying children are very badly behaved, it is generally a sign that the parents lake the discipline need to raise a German Shepherd properly.
Children’s should learn the following rules:
- Play should be controlled. Respected short bursts of high-energy activities are not good for the pup. A German Shepherd never knows when to stop. If there is fun to be had, he wants a slice of the action, and can easily overexert himself.
- Never disturb the pup when he is sleeping, or eating or is in the bed. His sleeping area should be guaranteed to after undisturbed ‘time out’ and should be a strictly child free zone.
- Never take pup’s bowl or toys away when he is eating or playing. But children should be also be thought to respect the dog and to leave him in peace.
- Never tease the pup. Apart from it being unkind and unnecessary, German Shepherds have long memories, and may bear the grudge well into adulthood.
German Shepherd are a naturally dominant breed, and your pup should be shown that he is subordinate to everyone in the family –regardless of age. A German Shepherd likes to know the ground rules, and will be happier knowing he is bottom of the family pack then being confused by the singles never his status.
The most Important consideration when yarning a German Shepherd is to remember that he likes order and discipline. Discipline should not be cruel or punitive-German Shepherd are for too sensitive for that, and much harm can be done. The best method is to instill kind and effective discipline where bed behavior is ignored, and good behavior is rewarded.
Reward can be praise, petting a game or a testy treat. Remember always to be consistent in whatever rules you set, so that the dog does not get confused.
Bite Inhibition:
Teaching a dog not to bite is very important in all breeds, but is especially significant with a breed as large as the German Shepherd. If your pup is not thought that being hurts, he will grow up thinking that it is acceptable. As he gets larger, he will not realize his own strength and may cause injury without intending to.
With a breed as naturally protective as the German Shepherd, the last thing, you should ever encourage is aggression of any kind. Instead you should show your pup that teeth must never be used on people. If the pup mouths (all as puppies do),make a high-pitched yelp, turn away from him and ignore him. This will show him that it hurts and is unacceptable behavior. Be consistent. If when playing, he gets overexcited and chews you instead of a toy, yelp and ignore-even if you know he did it by accident. It will teach him to play more gently, and to be especially careful in future.
Gently :
As a continuation of the bite inhibition exercise, the pup need to learn to be gentle when dealing with people.
- Hold a treat in your hand and puffer it to the pup, tilling him to take it “Gently”
- If attempts to snap, do not let him have the treat. Say “No” and holes the treat family in your hand so the cannot take it.
- If he snap, it is important not to pull your hand away, as this is only likely to encourage him to snap next time (to get it before he anticipates it will be taken away)
- If when attempting to take the treat ,he nips, your finger, yelp and ignore him
- Whenever he yaks the treat gently –no snapping or biting-he should be praised handsomely.
- Only when the pup is consistently taking treats gently from adults should the exercise be done with children.
German Shepherds’ were breed to guards, and it doesn’t take much to unleash this instinct in them. Food and toys can be a particularly sensitive area if early steps are not taken to prevent a problem arising. A few minutes’ training each day is worthwhile investment, as possessive guarding can be difficult problem to overcome once established.
- When your pup is eating a meal, put an even tastier treat in his bowl, so that he learns to welcome hands reaching for his bowl.
- After a few session, pick his food bowl up to put The treat in. This way , knowing that something mouthwatering will be put in it.
- Repeat the exercise the everyone in the family, so that your pup will accept his bowl being taken away with not so much as grumble.
- It is useful to respect this exercise occasionally as top-up training throughout the dog’s life.
Sharing Toys:
- When your German shepherd is still a young pup, give him a toy and play with him.
- When he has it in his mouth, hold the toy and pull very gently, while telling him to “Give”. Do not pull to heard, as you may damage his teeth. The aim is not to pull it out of his mouth, but for him to release his hold on the toy.
- When lets go, make a huge fuss of him, give him a treat, and give him a toy.
- Straight back. He will learn that, although his toy is a good possession, letting someone else have it is just a rewarding.
- Once your Shepherd pup knows the “Give” command, let other family members, including children, practice.
- Cats can jump higher then dogs and will feel safe in a high position, such as on a tall cupboard, so make sure the cat has an upward escape route. This is better then leaving a door open for her to bolt, as it may encourage the pup’s chase instinct and make matters worse.
- Put the pup in his crate and let the cat investigate him. Reassure her all the time, stroking her and talking in a quiet, low voice.
- Take the pup out of the crate, and hold cuddle him.
- Ask a friend or a family members to hold and cuddle the cat.
- Do not force the cat to stay if she doesn’t want to. If she wishes to escape, let her keep hold of the pup through so that he cannot chase or jump on her.
- Encourage the pup to look away from the cat. Every time he looks at you instead of cat, give him a treat. Withhold the treat when he won’t take his eyes of the cat.
- When the intense fascination with the cat has worn off, and you are able to get him to look at you instead of at her all the time, you can consider letting them get to know each other a little more.
- Make sure the pup is on a lead, so that you can control him if he gets overexcited, and let him sniff the cat. Remain clam and relaxed, talking, petting and praising both of them the whole time.
- Generally, the cat will reprimand the pup if he overstep the mark. Setting a puffed-up ball of fur hissing and spitting at him is usually enough to teach the pup to respect his feline housemate.
Some owners think it will be easier to raise a pup when an adult dog is already resident, believing that the dog can help to teach the pup some manners. This is sometimes the case but it can also be counterproductive, with the older dog being led astray by the pup. Suddenly, instead of having two will-behave dogs, you have two delinquents! Think seriously about whether you have the time to cope with the worst-case scenario-training a pup and retraining an adult.
Provide your exciding dog has been well socialized, there should be no problems introducing the pup to him. The situation should still be handled sensitively, however, as noses can be put out of joint. This is quite understandable. Your adult will noticed that, suddenly, visitors ignore your older dog and had straight for the quit little pup. Because you are likely to be spending considerable time training and socializing the pup, it is important to make sure your older dog doesn’t feel left out. Put time aside were in a puppy-free zone, you can spend time with your dog and make him feel especial, too.
Puppy Playgroup
As soon as your pup has protection from his vaccination, it is vital that he learns how to behave with other dogs, puppy parties or playgroups, usually held at vet surgeries, are great for this.
- Your German Shepherd pup can meet a lots of other pups and hone his doggie social skills.
- Your pup will learn that vet surgeries are fun place to be in and are not to be feared
- You will have the opportunity of meeting other pup owners to share your experiences.
- Recognize when a dog is not interested in a playing
- Appease aggressive dogs
- Show he wants to be a friend.
House –Training:
German Shepherd are very intelligent dogs and will quickly learn to be clean in the house.
- Choose a sport in the garden where you would like your pup to eliminate, and take him there every two hours plus.
- Last thing at night and first thing in the morning
- Immediately after eating
- Before and after exercise
- After period of excitement-playing with visitors etc
- Whenever you see him sniffing the ground and the circling ‘
- When he is on his spot in the garden, tell him to ”Get busy”, or any other phrase you would prefer, When he eliminates, praise him madly and then spend some together playing before returning to the house. Do not go straight back in or the pup will realize that the gets to be outside longer by crossing his legs.
If you catch him in the act, clap your hand to get his attention and to stop him in mid-flow, and encourage him outside in fan, excited way. Never shout at the pup or punish him for having an accident-he is just answering a call of nature. If you take him out regularly, and ore attentive to him, no accident should take place.
Chewing:
If you have never had a puppy before, you will be surprise at how much damage can be done by something so small and angelic-looking, A puppy’s needle-sharp teeth and craving to chew means he can demolish shoes, bags, furniture….anything in his path.
- Keep anything you do not want destroyed out if his reach-not only to save you a further in replacing endless pairs of slippers etc. but also protect the puppy’s life. Swallowing something that is poisonous, or that gets lodged in his throat or stomach, could be very dangerous for your pup.
- Provide your pup with suitable toys to satisfy his craving to chew. Buy good quality, durable toys and check regularly for damage. Tough rubber toys and often popular with pups
- Replace any toys that could pose a threat to your pup-particularly toys where the plastic squeak could be swallowed.
Puppies can get into all sort mischief in a very short time. For your German Shepherd’s safety and your sanity it is useful to have somewhere secure to put the pup while you are unable to give him your undivided attention, while getting shopping in from the care, while you have visitors who aren’t too keen on dog etc. Crates are incredibly handy-not just for puppyhood but for all the dog’s life. As long as it is a comfortable den, and is not used as punishment, your pup will learn to love his crate as much as you do.
Cars:
Crates are also godsend for when you wish to introduce to the pup to car travel, Getting the pup to enjoy being in the car is worth very effort-having a whining, breaking, vomiting pup is bed enough, but when it is a fully grown adult it really is no fun at all.
The aim is to the pup to enjoy in the car. Many pups are way of cars because they are not to used to them and because they soon work out the all journeys seen to end at the vet’s surgery. Show him that this really isn’t the case.
- Pup the crate in the car, and set the pup in it. Give him a couple of really tasty treats. Settle him on his bedding and speak to him in a something, clam voice. Shut the crate door for a couple of minutes, but keep talking to him.
- Ignore him if he breaks, and praise him and give treats when he is quiet.
- When he is use to setting calmly, get someone to start the engine and keep it running for the for just for short time. Distract you r pup with praise and treat or two.
- Gradually extend the length of time the engine is kept on.
- When he is content with the engine running ask the driver to drive a short distance. The journey should be as relaxed as possible –so avoid speed humps and frantic traffic hot spots. Keep reassuring the pup the whole time.
- As soon as you get home, take the pup out and have a quick game in the garden.
- Gradually extend the length of journey time.
SOCIALIZATION:
You should introduce your German Shepherd to as many experiences and situations as you can as soon as he is protected by his course of puppy vaccinations. As will as meeting all toys of friendly people, he should be introduce to as many things as possible that he may later encounter-buses trains, wheelchairs, prams, umbrellas, crash helmets, bicycles, rollerblades etc.
To us human all these things are very familiar, and it is difficult to appreciate why it is so important to accustom the pup to something as harmless as a pair of sunglasses and a hat.
Household Appliances:
- When the pup is relaxed, ask someone to spry tan aerosol for just an instant in another room.
- Ignore the sound and encourage the pup to do same by distracting him with a toy and some treats.
- When he stop reaching to the sound, the same exercise can take place the room where the puppy is.
- Do not give a treat when he react the to the sound, but do give when he ignore it.
- Eventually, he will learn that no harm comes of the sound. Do not use aerosol flea treatment on him until he has fully overcome his nervousness. Opt for alternative, silent treatment, such as pump sprays or spot-ons instead.
Your puppy should learn to be friendly to everyone. German Shepherd bond so closely with their owners that there a is danger that, unless they are properly socialized, they can become overprotective of the owner and suspicious of everyone else. A pup’s capacity to live to be loved has no boundaries, and he will gave a take affection from all and sundry. You must encouraged your German Shepherd to keep his carefree, trusting attitude so that he grows into a good tempered adult. He is still likely to give a warning back when someone approaches the house -such is his natural guarding instinct –but you must never encourage your dog to be aggressive, or you have a real problem on your hands.
Your puppy should be handled by a variety of people well into adulthood. Anyone should be able to touch him all over, check his teeth and ears, groom him, and so on. This will make life considerably easier when he need to be examined by the vet groomed professionally, or assessed by a judge in the show ring. It will also make him a nicer pet to share your life with.
TRAINING YOUR SHEPHERD:
The German Shepherd’s trust and loyalty is something that you must earn. He will bond closely not with person who feeds him, but with the person who trains him. He won’t turn his nose up at treat or a toy bribe, and, if properly socialized, will be affectionate to all his friends, family and acquaintance, but he will truly respect his trainer.
In the initial stage of training , it help if you put your Shepherd on a lead, so you should get him used to wearing a collar from as early as possible. Distract his attention from away from the collar by giving him treats or playing a game with a new toy when the collar is put on.
Recall:
Stage One
- Ask a friend to hold the pup. Sit a short distance in front of him, and call him over by his name. Be as excited as possible, to show him that you really want to be with him.
- When your puppy reaches you, praise him, and have a game him a treat so he learns that coming to you is worth the effort.
- If your puppy is doesn’t come to you, it is because you are not being interesting enough work on your tone of voice, tap your hands on the floor, wave a toy at him, etc.
- Increase the distance between the two of you, until you can call him from another room to you, or from the garden to you, he will reliably come.
When your German Shepherd is fully inoculated, take him out the park on a long or extending lead, and call him back to you throughout your time there. Give a treat and lot of fuss ever time he comes, then send him off to play again.
- If he doesn’t come, give a gentle tug on the line to encourage to come to you. If he still refuse, bring him in on the line, shortening the line gently and slowly. You will then need to practice on a lead.
- Gradually increase the length of the lead/line.
- When you are sure that he will reliably come when called, practice off the lead.
- Never chase after your pup, when he doesn’t come. To a fun loving pup playing chase is a wonderfully enjoyable game and he will never come to you if he thinks his refusal will result in cat and mouse around the park. If he doesn’t come, turn around and walk away from him. You will be surprised at how quickly he will come running to you if he thinks he is seriously being ignored or left behind!
- Remember that the whole family should practice the exercise or you will be stuck with dog walking duties for the whole of the dog’s life.
- Show your Shepherd pup a really tasty treat with the other hand and give him just a taste of it get him eager.
- Show him the treat again so that he will follow it with his head and try to take it.
- Hold the treat jut above his head and then move your hand back towards his neck, so that the pup has to stretch up and lean back to reach it.
- He will almost be in the sit position, but you will have to move your hand back just a fraction so that he must put his bottom on the floor to reach up for the treat.
- As soon as he sits, say ‘Sit’ and give him the treat he has worker so hard for’
- After a few practices, he will understand that he need to get the treat, and the exercise will become easier and easier. Eventually, the word “Sit” will be sufficient to put him in position.
- It is also useful, outside training session, to say “Sit” whenever you see the pup sitting down of his own accord. That way, he will learn to associate the word with action.
- Ask him to sit before you give him his meal, before walking through doors, while meeting people etc. It will not only make life easier for you. It will also help to keep the exercise fresh in the dog’s mind.
The down is taught in the same way as the sit encouraging the dog in to position by the careful positioning of a hand and a treat. Once he is familiar with the sit exercise, your bright German Shepherd will catch on very quickly to what is excepted of him for this exercise, too.
- Put your pup in the sit position.
- Show him treat in your hand, putting in quite close to his face, and then put your hand on the floor a little way in front of him. This will encourage him to follow the treat with his head, until his head on the floor.
- Make sure you hold the treat in such a way that little of it is showing, but that you still have firm control of it so that he cannot it unless you allow him to.
- If he gets too excited, he will break the sit, but this isn’t disaster. He will try to get the treat by standing up but at the same time stooping down, and will eventually realize that, to get close to it, he will have to lie down. As soon as he does so, say “down” praise him and give him the treat.
- German Shepherds do not give up easily, but if your pup gets fed up trying to get the treat without working out that he has to get down on the floor to it, show him the treat and give just a tiny amount so that his interest is reawakened.
- As with the sit, incidental training is very useful. Every time you see your pup lie down, say “Down” and praise him.
- Put your German Shepherd on a lead, put him in the sit position and family tell him to “stay” while putting your arm out in front of you with your palm facing the dog.
- Take just one step back , wait a second them step up to him again, give him a treat, a cuddle and lots of addition.
- If he breaks stay, calmly put him back him a sit. Do not shout or lose your temper ;just do not give the treat or praise him. When you try again , go down a level. For example, if your dog broke a 15-second stay at 10 paces, then go back to practicing a 10 second stay at a 6paces. Only when he has really conquered each level should you consider increasing the difficulty.
- Put your pup on your left hand side, when his front legs parallel with yours.
- Hold the lead in your right hand; your left hand can hold any dangling excess lead, and a treat or a toy. This hand should be held just above your stomach.
- Take a step forward and encouraged the dog to walk forward too, by saying his name, encouraging him verbally, and gently pulling on the lead.
- Show him the treat/toy in your left hand and encourage him to follow it.
- If he is distracted, call his name, squeak a toy or show him a treat, so that he will be focused on you and will walk beside you. Your dog should be attentive to you. He should watch on your face and ignore all other distractions. Say his name if his concentration strays.
- When he is walking will beside you, say “Heel” and encourage him with a calm voice being too excited will encourage him to jump at you. Stop after a short distance and give him a treat.
- If he steams ahead do not hurt after him; instead, stop in your tracks, gently tug lead, and call him to back to you. Put him the sit position and start again. stopping, turning around walking in the other direction also works. If your pup relies you are unpredictable, he will be keen to walk closer to you in future.
- If he is walking too for out from your leg, you can tell him “In” and gently tug on the lead to bring him in closer to you. The moment he is in the correct position again, give lots of praise.
- When he is walking in the correct way, start walking in large left-hand and right-hand circles. When he is already attentive to you, introduce sharper turns to the left and right to keep him on his toes.
Puppy Classes:
Once your German Shepherd pup has been to a few puppy parties, and is socialized with other dogs and people, you should enroll at a basic obedience class. Teaching him to sit, go down, stay come and walk on the lead in a controlled manner is easy enough when taught in the home where there are few distractions, but is an entirely different matter in the outside world. If your German Shepherd will obey you when surrounded by a roomful, noisy puppies, then you will be in with a fighting chance of controlling him in a park situation. It is vitally important to find the right training class. All dogs need careful handing, but it is especially important with the German Shepherd. He might appear big and boisterous, but he is very sensitive dog whose spirit can be broken very easily with unkind handling. German Shepherd are so intelligent; they do not need tough discipline no dog does. They are so tuned in to their owners that they gently know from the tone of voice when they have done wrong or right.
Visit several classes before enrolling. Do not take your German Shepherd along; instead, sit and watch how the other dogs are treated. Would you by happy if your dog was taught the same way? Are fair and effective reward-based methods used, rather then discipline based on fear and punishment? If you are at all unhappy with the methods used, another class.
Limiting Exercise:
Many people think that, because the adult German Shepherd is a big dog and need considerable exercise, a puppy need to be walked for miles too. Over exercising a dog can be very harmful, especially with the German shepherd, whose bones and joints need very careful management.
Controlled play in the garden is enough exercise for a German shepherd pup, and, as he grows, lead-walking can be enjoyed too. He shouldn’t have anything too energetic until his bones are grown and are stronger, at around one year of age. Jumping on and off furniture or using the stairs should also be discouraged.