German Shepherd Dog Training

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Information About Dog Breeds – Does the Dog Breed Matter?

Does the Dog’s Breed Matter?

This is a controversial issue. There are some who believe quite strongly that certain breeds have innate traits of aggression that make them more likely to inflict harm on human beings than other types of breeds. Opponents of this view state that a dog’s propensity for aggressive behavior is dictated primarily by the dog’s owner or handler and how that dog was trained and cared for early in its life.

On the one hand, there are certain breeds that appear to have a higher incident rate of inflicting harm on people, including children. According to Merritt Clifton, editor of the newspaper publication Animal People, the breeds of pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes accounted for 74 percent of reported attacks from 1982 through 2005. Sixty-eight percent of those attacks involved children. Following these breeds, the next group representing the highest occurrence of attacks included German shepherds, chows, and Akitas. But the question remains whether these breeds were responsible because of some innate characteristic associated with the animal or because they were more likely to be groomed and trained by their owners to act in an aggressive manner.

Breed-Specific Legislation: aka Breed Ban Laws

A hot topic these days is the issue of breed-specific legislation, or sometimes called “breed ban laws.” There are some cities in various states that have enacted specific legislation against certain breeds. They include cities in the states of California, Colorado, and Ohio. In Washington, the city of Yakima has adopted an ordinance that completely bans the ownership of pit bulls and their mixes, wolf-hybrids, and others. I am also aware that the city of Seattle has informally considered the issue, but the city council has so far refused to address the topic formally due to the lack of consensus among experts and/or council members.

In 1987, the city of Yakima adopted an ordinance that banned dogs known to be pit bulls, and specifically included those breeds which included the bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and those dogs having any identifiable pit bull variety as an element of their breeding. The new ordinance was in response to three vicious attacks by pit bull dogs on unsuspecting citizens in Yakima. Our Washington State Supreme Court ultimately upheld this ordinance as constitutional, despite the law’s effect of also banning those pit bull dogs deemed safe.

About the Author

Christopher M. Davis is a Seattle attorney focusing personal injury cases. He is also known for his work representing dog bite victims and has written the the book ‘When The Dog Bites‘ as a resource for persons injured in a dog attack.

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Five Common Ailments That May Affect Your Dog

There are several common health problems that may affect your dog during their lifetime, hence why so many opt to take out dog insurance cover. Most of the common illnesses or ailments are not life threatening. If you take measures to prevent or treat the ailments as soon as they occur; your dog is less likely to become seriously ill from these conditions. Below are some of the most common pet ailments that can affect your canine companion.
Arthritis - Arthritis is a common problem and one in five dogs over the age of seven usually has some form of arthritis. If you notice a change in your dog’s daily routine or your dog starts to display signs of discomfort while exercising or when out for a walk you should take him to see your vet. There isn’t a cure for arthritis, however, there are treatments and medications that can help your dog be more comfortable and allow them to stay active.
Arthritis can affect your pets hips, shoulders, joints, neck and back. There are two kinds of arthritis. Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is caused by stress on the joints. Inflammatory Joint Disease is usually caused by an infection. Some of the symptoms include loss of weight and fever. The most common causes of this condition is ticks and bacteria.
Worms – There are many types of worms your pet could become infected with. The more common worms are Flatworms, Tapeworms, heartworms, hookworms, whipworms and lungworms. Worms are very common in dogs and are easily treated. Did you know that a puppy can be born with worms if their mother is infected. An adult dog can get worms from being bitten by fleas, ticks and even mosquitoes. While out playing in the parks they can easily pick up worms by eating or coming in to contact with dead birds, eating frogs and most commonly dog and cat feces. They could even share toys with an infected animal and pick up intestinal worms in this manner. It will not always be apparent that your dog or cat has worms, some worm infected pets show no symptoms initially while other worms cause diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal pain. Possibly one of the best indicators you’re your dog or cat has worms is when they show a lack of energy and motivation to exercise. There are many different treatments ask your vet which one is right for your dog. Worms are not life threatening if you treat them properly. If you set up a regular worming programme you will not have to worry about your dog becoming infected. Most worm infections do not pass to humans, however some do. Ask your vet for more information if you are concerned about your family pet passing worms to your kids.
Anxiety Disorders - Anxiety Disorders are fairly common and recognising them and getting the proper treatment is key to keeping your dog healthy. An anxiety disorder can affect the dog’s emotional and physical health. Some things that dogs are afraid of are things like thunder or fireworks. Sensitive dogs even become anxious when their owners raise their voices unexpectedly. A dog can also suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. Studies have shown that this may be a genetic trait in some specific breeds of dogs. Some of the breeds include, Great Danes, German Shepherd, Jack Russell Terriers and Dalmatians. Some of the symptoms a dog may have include, barking, pacing, urinating in the house and licking themselves excessively. When a dog is in acute distress they may try to hide under a bed.
Your vet can run tests to see exactly what is wrong with your dog. Some of these symptoms could also be associated with other ailments. Once the vet has determined it is anxiety, then they will give you medications or treatments for your specific dog. A dog with anxiety disorders does not deal well with change so you should try to establish a daily routine for your pet. If you maintain a regular schedule of feeding, playtime and walking the dog will be much calmer.
Canine Allergies - Canine Allergies are very common in dogs. Dog allergies usually affect the skin and cause itching and a rash while other common allergic reactions may cause you pet to sneeze and or wheeze. Coughing is actually quite common too. There are three major causes of allergies in dogs. They are insects, with fleas being the most common and airborne allergens such as pollen, grass and mold. The third type is an allergic reaction to certain foods or medicines. Regularly airing your pets bed sheets and kennel, dusting and removing any mould will greatly help reduce the chances of common allergies from flaring up.
A dog will not always display an allergic reaction immediately after exposure; there is often a delayed reaction. One common symptom of allergies is if your dog constantly licks its paws. Other symptoms include face rubbing, head shaking and belly licking. A dog can also get hives from an allergic reaction and they usually disappear within 24 hours. You should consult your vet when you think your dog may be allergic to something. They will suggest the proper treatments. It is possible to have your dog tested for allergies if you are concerned. That way you will be able to prevent some allergies from occurring. Depending on what your dog is allergic to will depend on the treatment, such as changing a dog’s diet or flea treatments.
Ear Problems - Ear problems in dogs are quite common and there are multiple causes, including wax, mites and bacteria. The most common ear problem is excessive ear wax build up or ear mites. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to ear problems than others are, especially breeds with hairy inner ear flaps, like miniature poodles and schnauzers. Did you know that underlying food allergies is the actual cause of ear infections in around 18 to 20% of dogs who have regular ear infections! A dog’s ears should be cleaned and checked on a regular basis to prevent ear infections from occurring. A simple way to help keep your dog’s ears healthy is to keep the hair from blocking the ear’s opening. You could trim the hair to allow air to flow into the ear which will help prevent ear infections.
Your vet is in the best position to determine what is wrong with your dog’s ears and suggest the best treatment. Treatments usually include putting medicated drops in their ears and sometimes a vet will also give your dog an antibiotic. Always contact your vet before you treat your dogs ear infection as infections and treatments vary.
These are just a few of the common ailments that dogs tend to get at sometime in their lives. If you use preventive measures and keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour; you will be able to keep them healthy and happy for their lifetime. Lastly don’t forget pet insurance in case the unexpected happens!

About the Author

Simone Davis is a freelance author writes articles on pet insurance; especially on dog insurance. To learn more about dog health insurance please visit www.animalfriends.org.uk

Joint Care for Pets – Is There a Natural Solution That Works?

It is very heartbreaking for a pet owner to know that your dog or cat is suffering from a medical condition such as arthritis or some other joint pain. One day you find that your dog or cat is not their usual self.  They’re not running and jumping as normal.  They don’t climb the stairs like they normally do.  It is sad to see them in so much pain.

You Might Think that Your Only Alternative is to Take Your Pet Straight to the Veterinarian and See What They Can Do to Relieve the Joint Pain in Your Pet

Of course, visiting your vet in these situations is always a good idea.  But this can be very costly.  The vet’s solution very possibly will be to start giving your pet some type of drug to help relieve the pain.  If you are like me, I just don’t want to start putting chemicals in my dog’s body.  Surely there must be a natural alternative.  Maybe your vet has the answer.

Joint problems can develop at any stage of your pet’s life.  Older pets are more prone to joint problems.  Other factors include the breed, its age, its genetics, and its diet.  An overweight condition can also cause joint disorders.  It’s estimated that as much as 68% of the dog population has some type of joint illness.

It is very important to understand how you can prevent joint disorders in your pets or, at least, how you can treat them.  Common types of joint ailments include dysplasia in the hip or elbow, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and luxating patella.  Dysplasia results in joint instability and pain.

Mid-sized to larger breeds are afflicted by dysplasia more than other dogs.  Those breeds include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Great Danes.

Symptoms of joint disorders include lameness, joint swelling, yelping or whining when moving in certain ways, holding one leg up, etc.

The Good News: There are Healthy Alternatives to Help Prevent or Treat Joint Pain in Dogs, Cats, and Pets

There are several ingredients that are critical to joint care prevention and treatment.  Most treatment is in the form of a supplements or powder.  Most products provide only isolated treatment.  It is important that the supplement provide a natural, holistic, multi-action joint support formula that includes scientifically tested ingredients.

The supplement should include glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin.  Glucosamine helps maintain and promote joint and connective tissue health.  MSM is a natural ingredient vital to the maintenance of joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons.  Chondroitin provides lubrication and flexibility of connective tissues.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oil are also very important in improving joint health and function.  They are known to provide a positive effect on joint stiffness and fatigue.

One of my dogs, a German Shepherd mix, has seen significant improvement in her joints since going on a natural product a couple of years ago.  I recommend that you give a natural, joint support supplement to prevent any joint pain in your pet before they experience any joint problems.

About the Author

Scott and Trish Hubbard are long time pet lovers.  For the last 40 years, dogs have been a major part of their family.

They have dedicated the last 5 years of their lives to finding the best products for pet health.  You can reach them directly by calling toll-free 877-878-4036 or by emailing them at ScottHubbard@ProductsForPetHealth.com.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

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can dogs have toy obsessions?

we have a 9mth old german shepherd and collie mix. i know that puppies can be quite active (have had a few dogs in my day) and i know collies have great agility levels. however our dog is crazy. we literally have to hide her toys or she will keep bring us these toys to throw or play tug-o-war with her. the great part is, if we ask her to bring us a particular toy she will find it and bring it to us, but then its on… never stops, drives us crazy. then when we hide it. she will start to sniff around for several minutes for that toy before she finally gives up. is this healthy/normal? if not what can we do. she is not aggressive in any way regardless of the fact that we take it away.

If your dog is this good, seriously, go to obedience classes, get your canine good citizen, try tracking… and seriously think about search and rescue potential. You have a smart and motivated dog that can think. Are you ready to let her live up to her potential?

A Brief History of Seeing Eye Dogs

No one knows when the concept of using assistance animals for the blind first came into being.  It is suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time.  It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War.

Why German Shepherds?

Many people have probably wondered why guide dogs and Seeing Eye dogs are so often German Shepherds.  The reason is actually twofold.  First of all the German Shepherd has a strong sense of loyalty to its owner, giving it a natural tendency to be protective.  Having a very protective dog as a companion is an obvious asset for someone who may otherwise be easily attacked by less then scrupulous individuals.  The other reason is far simpler; the first guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired were trained in Germany to provided assistance for those blinded in the war.

After the end of World War I the nation of Germany was devastated by financial depression.  Many private businesses failed and the Potsdam, Germany school that trained the guide dogs for the blind was one of them.

The Beginning

An American woman named Dorothy Eustis had heard about the program and decided it was a very worthwhile endeavor.  Because she owned a company that was training German Shepherds as working dogs, she decided she might try to train guide dogs for the blind.  She did not start this right away, however.  In fact she was still considering the possibilities when she penned a story for The Saturday Evening Post about the potential for guide dogs for the blind.

A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard the story and decided to write to Ms. Eustis and ask her to train a dog for him.  She did and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person to use a guide dog.

As part of an arrangement he’d made with Ms. Eustis, Mr. Frank started training guide dogs in the United States.  The foundation that Mr. Frank started was dubbed “The Seeing Eye” and the so-called Seeing Eye dog was effectively born.

Today guide dogs are trained to assist people with many different disabilities.  There are Hearing Ear dogs to assist the deaf and other dogs that assist the physically disabled.  All of the people who have benefited from the use of a guide dog, however, owe their thanks to Mr. Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee.

About the Author

Dog Training in Harrisburg Pa. York Pa. Lancaster Pa. Dover Pa. and all of Dauphin County,York County,and Lancaster County: Training books and videos.

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My dog is sexually confused?

What should i do? And no don’t say neuter him. I’ve heard that already.
he is a German Shepherd lab mix. his nickname is mini rapist

Male dogs assert their dominance over other males by humping them.

Just say no in a firm voice and maby give him a swat on the butt whenever he dose this.

Some Information About Virginia Demographics To New Residents

The State of Virginia was the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents and has been nicknamed “Old Dominion” or the “Mother of Presidents”. The varied geography and climate is due to the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountain ranges, along with the Chesapeake Bay area, which is an attractive lure for those that move to Virginia every year. The capital is Richmond, which is a thriving city that has historical value, along with political significance. Virginia was one of the original thirteen colonies formed during the American Revolution and still remains known as a Commonwealth.

Today, Virginia demographics show that it is estimated to be the 12th most populated state in the country with over 7 million people, but it is the 35th largest in land area. Females outnumber males by 2%, but more than half of the state is married, (56%). The median age is 35.7 years, while the average family size is slightly over 3 persons.

Because of the coastal location and Deep South Civil War ancestry of Virginia, it has almost a million people that were born in foreign countries in recent years, although the population is predominately White Americans (around 75%) on the Western half of the state, with Black Americans (21%) settling in the southern and coastal areas. There are some German and English colonies in the northern part of Virginia, however.

While it was predominately a tobacco plantation state before the Revolution, it has become a state that has switched to growing wheat and mixed crops and has the larger cities that have become more involved in technology and industry. While the Shenandoah Valley is primarily agricultural, computer chips are the state’s leading export. There are heavy defense department and federal agency employment opportunities in the northern part of the state, but Virginia also has the region’s main seaport, offering opportunities in transportation, shipping and commercial fisheries.

With over 2.9 million housing units in Virginia, the median home price is $125,400, and median household income is $46,700, making it slightly above the national averages in both categories, according to the 2000 census. It is anticipated that the new census will reveal that Virginia has steadily increased in population and other categories. Virginia has strong public schools and universities, and an affordable way of life, which makes it attractive to the middle income families it is primarily made up of.

The state is 76% Christian and Protestant faith, with 27% of those being Baptists and 11% being Roman Catholic. The religious background of Virginia makes it a predominately Southern Baptist state that might be considered somewhat conservative, as well. On the other hand, it is a progressive state that is moving from its early formation role in America’s history to a more technology-driven economy that still relies heavily on politics, too.

When you are a new resident to Virginia, the Virginia demographics probably offer some insight to where you fit in these statistics. However, there are many people that move to Virginia because of its varied geography of mountains, rivers, streams and Ocean coasts, along with the natural beauty of the area and temperate climate.

About the Author

Topline Moving is the leading Virginia and Maryland Moving Company. They have a 100% postive BBB record and hundreds of happy customers. If you are in the Tri-state area and looking for Movers in Fairfax or Manassas, look no further.

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Who wants to tell me about a German Shepherd?

I found this pic of a pup who is house trained already and about 4 months old at an animal shelter in Greenburg, Indiana on the web and I think he is a mixture of both German Shepherd and Husky. How well would he do with me? He’ll be inside and I’ll gone some of the time. Also is it possible to train a 1.5 lab to be house broken?

There is no big deal about house-training – a well-bred well-reared pup has a strong instinct to get away from its nest before it piddle-poos. Sadly, the ignoramuses who lock their pets in crates for long periods FORCE the pooch to break that instinct.

Which raises two questions:
Q#1: “What do YOU propose to do with your pet when you are absent?”
For me, it’s not a problem – I have roofed security runs with raised sleeping boxes, so that my pooches can choose whether to exercise or to snooze in the sun or snooze in the box, and they have plenty of choice as to where they lie and trot, without having to step or lie in piddle-poos. While I attend a family funeral I can leave my dogs there for up to 40 hours, with a neighbour calling over once or twice to make sure the water bowls are full.

I also have my pups paper-trained the afternoon they come inside. They then have the run of the house 24/7 while I’m home – exceptions being the lounge & spare bedroom (both shut) and my always-open bedroom.

Training is simply a matter of consistency – preferably consistently OBSERVING the dog’s behaviours and REWARDING the desired ones.

Q#2: “Do you have time for weekly classes, and to OBSERVE your pet at home?”
An OWNER should be in a training-club class that starts when Pup is 18-22 weeks old. At the same tame as the owner is being coached, Pup learns to pay attention regardless of what other people are doing.

For instant toilet training, YOU must learn what the pooch’s timing & signal are. With an 8 weeks pup those tend to be that 1 minute after waking and 3 minutes after eating or drinking it starts to make anxious nose-down circles, “choosing a spot”. You then pick it up, carry it to the designated toilet-spot, wait still & silent until the pup remembers what it wanted to do before you picked it up, and then praise (including the future toilet-command word) and reward it. The pup wants to go toilet 12 times a day? GREAT – that’s 12 repetitions to help cement the concept of “This is where I go to relieve myself.” (Who said you deserved sleep? VBG)

Certainly you can toilet-train an older pooch (if that is what your mysterious “1.5 lab” meant). But 3 things make it harder than training a wee pup.
#1 is that the dog has had all those months of piddle-pooing anywhere & everywhere, so there is no anxious delay between it feeling the urge and it actually relieving itself.
#2 is that it can hold on for hours, if it wants to (I had 2 bitches who would decline to go toilet during 2-nights-away show weekends), which means there is no predictability as to when it will give a signal
#3 is that a decent-sized breed is, when adult, too big for anyone except a champion weightlifter to carry to the spot.
So, during the period when you are toilet-training an adult, you MUST watch it the whole time it is inside – and it MUST have on a collar and short lead the whole time, so that you can instantly grab-lead-call-dog-drag-to-the-spot. Can you arrange to start a fortnight at home full-time as of the day you get a dog?ANYONE wanting a dog should arrange to be home with it 24/7 for at least the first week for a wee puppy, longer for an adult that you have to “un-train” as well as train.

If you must be asleep or away from home (that includes travelling time) for more than 2 hours for a wee pup, 8 hours for an adult: Unless you have successfully paper-trained your pet you need accommodation where you can build an escape-proof run-&-sleeping-box set-up in a well-fenced yard, ready for Pooch to be penned in with a gnaw-bone when you have to go out.

And why are you asking about both a 4 months GSD(cross?) male and a (probably) 18 month Labrador? NEVER get a second pooch before you have successfully trained the first one. One reason is that proper training requires so much time & concentration that you cannot do it for two at once; another reason is that a puppy learns from any adult pooch on the property – and you don’t want the things it learns to be BAD habits!
If you propose to be a 2-dog household, ensure that they are of opposite genders, and about half a life-expectancy apart. Some people are lucky in fluking compatible same-sex pooches, but pack-status rivalry exists between 2 males or between 2 females, not between a male & a female.

• Add http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_GSD_Source to your browser’s Bookmarks or Favorites so that you can easily look up such as feeding, vaccinations, clubs, weights, teething, neutering, disorders, genetics.
• To ask GSD questions, join some of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with GSDs. Each group’s Home page tells you which aspects & use they like to discuss, and how active they are. Unlike YA, they are set up so that you can have an ongoing discussion with follow-up questions for clarification. Most allow you to include photos.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_Friendly
“In GSD

German Shepherd Puppy Obedience Training Sit Focus Watch Me Stay Come

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Is my dog rare or just a mix?

My dog is a German Shepherd puppy- she’s about 5 months old, and she has the prettiest light green eyes. She’s really curious. She’s bright, too. But I was wondering- we got her from a friend of ours, and we never saw the dad- they live in the woods. She’s PURE BROWN. Pure chocolate brown. No Other Color To her. I noticed online it said that black ones were rare, so does this mean she’s rare? Or is she a mix of a chocolate lab and a German shepherd? I really hope she’s purebred, though..

Without any certification to prove that your dog is a German Shepherd & a Purebred, then it is definitely a mix. Have not seen a totally brown GSD before. I’ve seen pure white, pure black, sable, black & red and black & tan.

Did your friend do a planned breeding or was this the result of an accidental one meaning, they owned another dog that was not the same breed or was a mongrel or it was a stray dog that mated with the b*tch? Whatever it is, it was irresponsible breeding & if you paid TONS of money for that dog & was told that it was a pure GSD without any proof that it is, then it means you got conned.

ADD: Alright, I checked online & Liver GSDs do exist.

http://4gsd.homestead.com/colours.html

But they’re very rare. Still, if you don’t have any certification to proof that your dog is a pure GSD, then you cannot say that it is. You even said you never saw the Dad so it’s very likely that the dad was a brown mutt.

would this be ok?

I have a Wolh Hybrid (female) and a Chocolate lab/German Shepherd mix (female). Both are very friendly. Would it be ok to add a pitbull puppy to my group? My friend said i should ask some one. I think it would be ok as long as it was female correct?

Yes, it would be as long as it is a female it doesn’t try to be dominant and if it is easygoing.

Duke playing on his 8th birthday Black Labrador/German Shepherd Mix Nov 4 2007

german shepherd collie mix dog
dog handshaking has gone painfully extreme?

Hello, I own a German Shepherd collie mix and she had developed the habit of “shaking hands”,even tho we never taught her this trick. But the problem is she over does it, when ever I sit down there she is flinging her paw up and if i ignore it she continues doing it more and more till it gets quite painful. Even when I trim her nails her hand shaking hurts, plus it just plain annoying, multiple times she has put her paw up onto to something and flung it to the floor. how can I make her stop this behavior? or at least tone it down.

This is not behavior that is natural for an animal. She sounds like she is neurotic, easily excitable, or has some anxiety. I would take advantage because it sounds like you have a really cool dog who just needs a job and a life. Teach her some tricks to do other than shaking paws, and get her in an agility class as well as start walking her off leash in safe areas when you can, or give her lot of walks, and exercise. Usually the intelligent dogs are the ones who have issues, so really make sure she is getting lots of exercise daily. GSD and Collie are both very intelligent and herding breeds so start working with a trainer and seeing if you can get her to earn some titles one day. In the meantime, when she paws at you you say “ah-ah!” in a sharp tone and turn and walk away immediately. Be consistent and she will get the message. No nose popping. If you do that, you can either A. Make her hand shy, or B) Make her bite you, or C) make her think you are playing her game (pawing at the face) and she will do it back even more.

Just How Much Exercise Does your Dog Need a Day?

Making sure you give your dog adequate amounts of exercise is extremely important not only in preventing behavior problems, but also for the overall health of your pet. It can help keep you both happy. But not all dogs need the same amount of exercise so how do you know what amount you need to spend exercising your dog?

The primary consideration in determining the amount of exercise a dog needs depends on breed. Herders, hunters and working dogs need the most exercise of all the dog breeds. Ideally, these dog breeds need 30 minutes to one hour of daily exercise, whether it is a walk with its owner, playing outside with other dogs or running around and chasing squirrels. Misbehaving is much more likely to occur as well as health deterioration without this daily amount of exercise. Examples of these breeds are: Hounds, Beagles, Border Collies, Alaskan sled dogs, Australian and German Shepherds, Terriers (particular Jack Russell) and Shelties.

A common misconception is that the smaller the dog the less exercise the dog needs. This is a misconception. It is all about breed.

Mixed breed dogs makes it a little more difficult for the owner to know how much exercise is needed. The best way to gauge this is for the owner to observe the dog’s behavior. If the dog seems to enjoy lying in the sun all day then most likely he does not need a lot of exercise. On the other hand, if the dog is restless and wanders around the yard and house constantly, his needs will be better served with more exercise.

Walking is one of the top modes of exercise. But it’s not a lot of fun to walk a dog that “pulls” or who is not obedient to your commands. Clearly a dog who knows the proper way to walk on a leash will get more walks. Teaching this skill to your dog as a puppy is critical. However if this is not yet accomplished, there are ways to teach your adult dog to walk properly on a leash.

The phrase “walking properly” refers to the dog obeying the commands the owner gives and not “pulling.” For example if the owner says “stop” the dog knows and does stop. If the owner says “sit” the dog knows and does sit. If the owner says “heel” the dog knows and does heel. By teaching your dog these commands, both you and your pet will have much more frequent and enjoyable walks together.

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Walking your dog is a great way to bond with your dog and start dog obedience training. Dogs are ‘hard-wired’ to do as you say; you just need to tap into this behavior. Get free dog training tips from http://www.stopbaddogbehavior.com and learn how to transform your unmannered pooch today.

Border Collie, German Shepherd Mix Dog – pictures

german shepherd shyness
9 week old puppy afraid of people?

I just got a german shepherd puppy a week ago and at first she seemed fine with other people and was friendly up until tonight. She went from being friendly this morning to being totally afraid of everyone tonight except my boyfriend and I. She will growl or bark when she hears any other noises in the house (we live with my bf parents for the time) and she is very timid. Also barks and growls at other dogs. Will she grow out of her shyness as she gets older? I am trying to get her socialized as best I can but its hard when all she wants to do is follow me around everywhere.

Just like humans, dogs go through phases where their behavior changes as they are growing up. 9 weeks is a little early to worry about a certain behavior. Just do not pet or stroke or do anything that you would consider supportive or coddling when she growls or barks. You might think you are letting her know everything is ok and she doesn’t need to be upset, but what a dog perceives is reward for her timid behavior. When you stroke or talk nice to her, she thinks “I must be doing the right thing, I guess I’ll keep doing it”. You don’t need to scold her, but a firm “no” when she growls or barks at someone and then do not give her any positive reinforcement after that. Turn your back on her or put her in her crate for a little time out. Nothing too harsh, just enough for her to think “ok, Im not going to be doing that anymore because the consequences are not pleasant”. It may take awhile but the message will come through.

Even though it seems mean, its the right thing to do. I have a dog that shakes like crazy when I cook because she fears the fire alarm will go off (I’m such a great cook). Anyway, when I stopped comforting her and started telling her “you’re fine, stop being afraid” in a corrective tone, eventually she stopped. The coddling was only making it worse. I took the advise from a training book and it was good advise. I think the same will work for you.

Laekenois

The Laekenois is one of the four Belgian shepherd dogs unlike the German Shepherd for sale, but is not widely recognized outside their homeland. Its height range from 24-26inch and weigh around 55-65lbs.

Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of the four Belgian Sheepdogs.

The rough coat can measure over two inches in length. The body is sturdy and well proportioned.

The Belgian Laekenois is a highly intelligent herding dog with serious, watchful and passionate protective and territorial instincts. They good with their family, but should not lay rough housing or chase games. The Laekenois may not tolerate other children dogs for sale of this breed should be socialized from a young age to prevent the onset of excessive shyness.

If socialized properly from a young age, the Belgian Laekenois will get along very well with children. Because of their high energy level, this breed is happiest with lots of open space and a job to do. They may exhibit instinctive behaviors like chasing, circling.

Sometimes they are dominating in attitude.

Laekenois are obedient, loyal, and good watch dogs. They will alert their owners of something unusual, and will make good guard dogs if called upon. They will only attack if there is a true threat

Laekenois Puppies litter size is 6-10 puppies.

The most common health problems associated with the Belgian Laekenois include eye and thyroid conditions, and epilepsy as part of dog health.

Depending on the dog’s quality of coat, grooming may be needed more or less often.

The Belgian Laekenois has a rough, wiry coat of hair that needs to be clipped and/or trimmed at least twice per year.

The Belgian Laekenois will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. This is a working dog that is used to an active outdoor life. The Laekenois will adapt well to both an urban or country environment as long as they have space to roam.

Laekenois has all the traits of good family dog.

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Chilli the Shy German Shepherd Puppy