German Shepherd Dog Training

german shepherd watch dogs
what do i need to do to make my german shepherd a good protection dog?

i am thinking of getting a german hepherd to protect ad watch my house and if people try to attack me he would protect me and bite.but i dont want him biting the wrong people.i live in ireland and its dangerous i dont know where or how i can train him to be the right guard dog.
please reply i need answers:)
thank you

Firstly learn that a “shepherd” is a person.
My breed was developed to HERD sheep in the German boundary patrolling way, so its real name translates as German Shepherd Dog – 3 words in the breed-name, so 3 capital initials needed, and GSD for short.

Secondly, consider migrating to a safe country. I’ll be 70 next birthday and have NEVER felt in need of protection, although several of my GSDs have, over the years, demonstrated that they will NOT allow people onto my/their property except with my permission, and some have been sold as professional security dogs. And back in the 60s our first bit.ch quickly convinced a car-load of hoons that the only place they were safe was back in their car & driving away, after they’d got out to menace my teenaged bride while she was walking Zacki around a local lake.

Thirdly, consider whether your insurance company and bank balance will cover the penalties from incidents where your dog DOES bite someone. And realise that almost everywhere in the world:
(a) Someone intending to harm a person or rob a property known to have a guard dog will come prepared to eliminate the dog – and they don’t do it painlessly by injecting the “blue juice” that vets use!
(b) A privately-owned dog that successfully bites an intruder (doesn’t matter that the intruder intended evil) is impounded then a Court Order issued for its destruction.

Add it all up, and an “alarm dog” is usually a better proposition than a “guard dog” aka “attack dog”.
Also be aware that it is almost impossible to train a BSD or GSD to NOT attack on its own initiative. And why would you want a dog that won’t instinctively protect you from the person you didn’t notice sneaking up behind you?

So NEVER think that a protection -trained dog is like a well-programmed computer! It is a HUGE responsibility.

I don’t know whether you mean Eire or Northern Ireland, but for Britain including Northern Ireland the host-club for SchutzHund training is the BAGSD: http://www.bagsd.net/ (incorporates the old BSA). It will be able to tell you its nearest branch, or tell you how to contact its equivalent in Eire if that’s where you are.

You then, with the club’s help, find a pup from a breeder very experienced in producing courageous GSDs, pay his price & accept his advice as to which is “enough” dog for your needs but not “too much dog” for an ignorant newbie such as yourself. Starting on collection day you take 2 weeks off work so that you can immediately learn your pup’s timing & signals in order to toilet-train & house-train it, spend the time before the pup reaches 13 weeks old convincing it that the world is a safe place full of interesting things and that you are the centre of everything good in the universe. You also immediately book yourself in to a training club class that will start when Pup reaches 18-22 weeks old, so that an instructor can coach you to improve your techniques before you do too much damage – avoid “clicker” trainers, as you want BOTH your hands free for other purposes. It can be an all-breeds club at first, but by the time your pup is approaching yearling age you had better be in a SchutzHund club class. An SchH club knows how to bring out a pup’s courage, and will insist that YOU develop both full self-control and verbal control of your pup before attempting any of the “attack” work. But an SchH dog is not actually a protection dog – it regards grabbing the sleeve as a fun game – which is adequate to deter most hoons, but if your protection needs are great you will eventually need to progress to private training with a high-charging pro who specialises in personal protection dogs.

• 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, DNA labs.
Look in its Links=> Defining a GSD section for information about BH and SchH.

To ask about GSDs, join some of the 400+ YahooGroups dedicated to various aspects of living with them. Each group’s Home page tells you which aspects 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 GSDs” as of 1967

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the German Shepherd

Of all dogs diagnosed to have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), the German Shepherd is a common patient as well as the Rough-coated Collie. One estimate shows that about 70% of all dogs diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) are German Shepherds while 20% diagnosed are Rough-coated Collies.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (also called EPI) is a medical condition in which the pancreas of the affected German Shepherd Dog (GSD) stops producing enough digestive enzymes to digest food normally in its small intestine.

EPI in the GSD can result from primary pancreatic disease or several other diseases that interfere with the correct production of enzymes by the pancreas or of activation of the enzymes in the intestine.

What is the pancreas and EPI? And what does this have to do with my own personal German Shepherd?

Briefly: the “exocrine” part of the pancreas is responsible for producing the enzymes we all use to digest our food correctly. Without adequate production of these particular enzymes your GSD cannot digest its food properly either.

If your German Shepherd can’t digest it’s food, it will not be able to absorb all the food’s nutrients properly. Keep in mind that Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can be potentially life threatening, especially in its acute form. However, it often responds well to ongoing and daily treatments when diagnosed and treated with the proper drugs.

Typically, the exocrine functions of the pancreas can malfunction in one of two ways. First, in acute pancreatitis, the dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed, causing vomiting and loss of appetite with resulting dehydration. This does require immediate veterinary attention.

Secondly, a previously healthy GSD may begin to exhibit a few or all of the following symptoms: excessive water-drinking, ravenous appetite and very soft “cow patty” stools. This is indeed a big tell. No matter how much the dog eats, it will be hungry soon after and will soon begin to lose weight. Typically, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the GSD is presented in young adult dogs between 1 to 5 years of age.

The diagnosis of EPI needs to be confirmed by use of laboratory tests. Diarrhea and foul smelling feces due to high fat content results and because all the food ingredients are not being digested completely the German Shepherd will quickly become malnourished.

Signs of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the GSD:

Diarrhea and foul smelling “cow patty” feces.

Increased gut sounds.

Excessive water-drinking.

Weight loss.

Signs of nutritional deficiency (ex. dry and brittle hair, anemia)

Ravenous appetite.

Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the GSD:

Treatment of EPI often involves the use of various replacement pancreatic enzymes. These are given orally to your German Shepherd. Occasionally oral antibiotics may be needed as well. Most often, these EPI products are given in powder form or as crushed tablets, then mixed with the food and left on it for about 30 minutes at room temperature before feeding takes place.

Recommended diet to deal with EPI:

Feed several small meals daily (at least 3 or more)

Feed a highly digestible, palatable, complete ration. Consult you veterinarian

Ideal diet for a dog with EPI: low fiber, low in fat, low excess carbohydrates

Keep in mind, once diagnosed, this treatment is a lifelong commitment for you and your GSD. It may be possible to regulate the condition of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the German Shepherd Dogs who are not so severely affected by feeding a very bland low-fat, low-fiber diet and adding an over-the-counter enzyme supplement.

For the more severely affected German Shepherd a more serious regime is required. If EPI enzyme supplementation is stopped for any reason then all the unpleasant symptoms will recur in your dog – and very soon. Oftentimes the German Shepherds response to therapy can be seen within a week or so of starting treatment.

The owner of a German Shepherd diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency needs to be very attentive to their GSD’s overall condition. After figuring out the correct amount of enzyme(s) needed to produce relatively normal stools and to stop weight loss, the GSD owner can usually feed enough food to help the dog regain lost weight. Relapses are always possible and are shown either in the return of diarrhea or in resumed weight loss.

The dogs owner will have to watch carefully for any of these returning symptoms. Generally speaking, as long as the German Shepherd owner is vigilant in maintaining the diet and enzyme supplements needed by the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency patient, then the dog with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can live a happy and relatively normal life.

About the Author

German Shepherds are really incredible dogs. But they’re not for everyone – and if you’re thinking of getting one I highly encourage you to do all the research you can about them ahead of time. And if you love to read, why not check out my book, “Your Total German Shepherd Dog

Guard Dog Training Centre Sydney Australia

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german shepherd watchdogs
Dog breed that meets these criteria??

My family is looking for a dog that is good with kids. We have a toddler and a 9 year old. We also want a good watchdog and a fairly intelligent breed. We have a small, fenced in yard but we would be willing to take daily walks. We also both work 8 hrs a day so the dog would be alone. We have a housecat too.

I was thinking maybe a German Shepherd or a Boxer? Anyone know of a breed that meets these criteria? Thanks!!

No get a small dog if you have a small yard, I suggest a wiener dog

Dogs — Natural, Instinctive Guardians to Humans

Dogs are not only devoted companions but also natural, instinctive guardians to humans since the beginning of time. They have always taken the roll of protecting the humans. One of the earliest duties of the domestic dog was to guard the property of its owners, whether that property be land, livestock or his owner’s home; and even today their protective nature make them ideal to alert a family. Various breeds of dog naturally show different characteristics. These include a sense of the dog’s territory, aggressiveness, bulk, strength, courage, resistance to counterattack, as well as the tendency to protect the dog’s adoptive family and the propensity to be properly trained. Aloofness to strangers is also regarded as a virtue because as aloof dogs are not swayed by superficial attempts at friendship.

However, each dog comes with varying degrees of natural ability to protect their owners; a watch dog is typically a member of a breed that barks when strangers approach. A good watch dog doesn’t have to be big or aggressive; he or she just has to possess a strong bark that lets the family know someone is approaching the house. Any breed, large or small, can be trained as a watchdog dog and almost any dog that barks when something unusual happens can serve as a watch dog. For Example -

The Papillon — This is a small toy breed (weighing from 9 to 10 pounds, and standing from 8 to 11 inches), which is overprotective and possessive in nature. A keen barker, this breed makes an effective watchdog which is also quite possessive and standoffish to strangers. They act like big dogs in small dogs’ bodies and are fiercely loyal of their owners – to a fault. Papillon Puppies are a great choice if you want a small but efficient watchdog.

The Weimaraner — The Weimaraner is considered a medium size dog breed (standing at 25-27 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing 70-85 pounds), which makes an excellent watchdog.  Although not dangerous, it will make a vigorous effort to get its own way.  He is aggressive and quite fearless. Utilized in various capacities such as police work, search and rescue, and tracking he has both the intellect and energy to accomplish almost anything. Blessed with intelligence and a willingness to learn Weimaraner Puppies are a best choice for the family who want more than just a watchdog.

There are also some dog breeds known as guard dogs that have been especially developed or selectively bred for their natural inclination to guard and defend the territory and people they consider as having under their custody. They not only watch and alert but also threaten the intruder to the point of retreat. They possess the physical capability to render a would-be assailant incapable of harming the dog’s owner either through restraint or injury. Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiller, German Shepherd, Mastiff etc. are some dog’s breeds which serve as guard dog.

The Rottweiler – Rottweilers are known to be fiercely protective of their property and their families and are vigilant about protecting what they love. Possessing a combination of strength, confidence, and courage; they serve well as guard dogs. They tend to be aloof to strangers and are not swayed by superficial attempts at friendship. Rottweiller Puppies can make a great addition to a family who want a great guard dog.

About the Author

For more information about Puppies please visit http://www.pets4you.com/dogs.html

German Shepherd Watch Dogs