If you have planned to bring home a German Shepherd, it’s a great decision because the breed is known for intelligence, loyalty and trainability. No wonder, they are preferred for various jobs, like police work, herding sheep, assistance work, as well as for being active guardians and companions. German shepherd dogs develop a strong bond with their parents. They require parents that provide games, work, leadership and training they need, because they are working dogs, needing ample exercise and are happy when they have work to do. Following are some of the traits of German shepherds you should know.
German shepherds are sociable and need company of other dogs as well as humans. Therefore you need to meet them to other dogs and people at a variety of places and settings. German shepherds are basically calm-natured, poised and confident dogs that are easy with the world. However, they should be allowed to mature with proper socialization and if they are not, they can develop uncertainty about new people and fear about unfamiliar situations.
You should keep your German shepherd fully active in your family otherwise s/he may get bored easily. Upon getting bored, German shepherds find ways to amuse themselves, which you may not like. They chew and play with whatever they find. Therefore you should provide them large chew toys to keep them busy.
You should also remember to give ample exercise to your German shepherd. Also, confining her/him to a large, comfortable crate or kennel can prevent her/him from engaging into destructive activities. Presence of another dog too can prevent loneliness. And if you should leave your dog alone for more than 4 hours, consider hiring a dog walker.
Remember that German shepherds are large-size and so, you should prepare for a big space before the arrival of your new puppy. Also, this is an active and fun-loving breed; so, even if a puppy is small, s/he will need a large space to play and run around. Ensure that your yard is hazard-free and uncluttered so that the puppy can enjoy playing there.
Don’t forget that a large dog like German shepherd needs adequate food; so, feed her/him twice per day and feed a right amount. Too little food will make the dog weak and too much will make her/him obese. The food should not contain corn as a protein source. Also, keep her/him hydrated well with a bowl of clean pure water ready always.
For more information and tips on taking care of your German shepherd, visit Hektorhaus, a fantastic German shepherd blog which will help you for caring for your beloved pooch.