Based on this feedback I wanted to give you the ultimate list of questions to ask, plus any warning signs that should make you walk away without buying. Not just warning sings about the German Shepherd puppy, but also her mother and the breeder too.

Things to know before buying a German Shepherd puppy

The moment you see that adorable German Shepherd puppy for the first time, the feeling will last with you forever. It certainly did with me when we first met our own dog. You’re bound to find it hard not to completely fall head over heels for them.

But…. Just take a step back for a second.

Yes, you might see one puppy in the litter that you have a particular affinity for, but how do you know it’s the right one for you to take home?

It’s easy to simply say yes, pay your money, and take a German Shepherd puppy home, but in hindsight there’s always thing you should look into and red flags to be aware of.

We didn’t do this when we bought our first ever puppy many years ago. I wish we had, but luckily, our dog ended up being ok, but it could have been very different: German Shepherds and any puppies can have health problems be sold by unscrupulous breeders.

With their long noses, furry bodies, and sparkling eyes, they will tug at your heart strings. You will be tempted to just take that German Shepherd puppy and go. But please, please, please… before you do that, here are some important things you should check before you pay your money.

Questions to ask a German Shepherd breeder / what to know when buying a puppy

Here’s my list of questions to ask a German Shepherd breeder when buying a German Shepherd puppy. Read these before you spend the money. By doing this due diligence you should hopefully get a puppy that not only fits your family and lifestyle, but also lives a long and happy life.

• Research your breeder’s credentials: Before you even visit, do a bit of Google research on the breeder. You want to choose one that has a track record, online reviews, and a good reputation in the German Shepherd world… not some first timer nobody has heard of.
• Be suspicious of low prices: If the German Shepherd puppies are advertised as a lower than average price, be wary. The old adage about if it looks too good to be true is almost always the case with puppies. Low prices can be a sign of an unhealthy litter.
• Find out how many litters the mother has had already: German Shepherd mothers should not have anything more than one litter each year. The best scenario would be a litter every couple of years. More pregnancies than this mean she has been over-bred and both her and the puppies could have health problems.
• Ask if both parents have up to date health checks and history:Knowing the health history of the German Shepherd puppy’s parents will give you an idea of what you might have in store. Look out for serious conditions and hereditary issues including hip and spine issues, soft palate issues, eye problems, and hearing problems.
• Ask how old the German Shepherd’s parents are: German Shepherds that give birth when still aged under 3 years old might not yet have developed genetic health issues that can be passed on. I would recommend getting a puppy from a German Shepherd older than this just to be sure.
• Ask to see the parents of the puppy: Whilst it’s unusual to see the German Shepherd’s father, at the very least you should be viewing the puppy with the mother. Before 8 weeks of age, they should still be with her, and it can also help you understand what type of dog your puppy will grow up to be. If the breeder refuses access to the mother, walk away.
• Ask where the puppies have been living: If the German Shepherds have been in a dark garage away from human interaction it will mean they will be harder to socialize and harder to train.
• Ask how often the German Shepherds have been handled: When puppies are regularly handled by humans, they will be much easier when taken home. They probably won’t be as anxious and might take the separation from the litter easier.
• Ask whether a vet has checked the puppies: Puppies should have been checked by a vet and had their first set of vaccinations before going to their new home.
• Do your own checks on the puppy’s appearance: You can do your own cursory health checks including looking at the eyes and ears to make sure they appear healthy.
• Ask for a canine hearing test: This is more of a nice to have and won’t always be possible. Puppies can develop hearing loss at birth due to congenital defects, and it’s only something you can spot as they get older without a vet examination.
• Ask to speak to a previous buyer:A reputable breeder will let you talk to people who have bought a German Shepherd puppy from them before. If they are unable to supply references and contacts, they could be hiding something.
• Choose either male or female: Whilst there isn’t any scientific proof, German Shepherd owners will say that the males have more energy, and females tend to be more chilled out. Whilst there’s no guarantee, you might notice a subtle difference between the genders.

I hope you find these questions to ask a German Shepherd breeder helpful. Please do print them off before you visit the litter and decide to buy.

The personality of the German Shepherd breeder

This is so often over-looked, but I wanted to add it on as something to look for when buying a German Shepherd puppy. It’s so important to get a good feeling about the breeder; if they treat you badly and are rude, it could mean they treat those pups badly too!

Only buy a German Shepherd puppy from a breeder who is prepared to take the time to answer any questions and concerns you might have. They should also be happy to give you as much detail as possible about the parent’s history.

Breeders that treat buyers with respect will most likely extend that kindness to the German Shepherd mother and her puppies.

How to buy a healthy German Shepherd puppy

Earlier I explained how you should ask the breeder to show you the parent’s history. This gives you an indication of what health problems could in store.

It’s an unfortunate fact that all dogs can be prone to health problems and some will come with unique health issues that can be passed down genetically. Puppies can sometimes have the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
• Demodicosis
• Distichiasis
• Elongated palate
• Entropion
• Hemivertebra
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
• Legg-Perthes disease
• Nerve degeneration
• Obesity
• Patellar luxation
• Seizures
• Skin infections

As you can see, it’s a very large list, and in truth, I’ve missed some health issues out that puppies can be born with.

But I hope this at least gives you even more reason than before to make health history one of the most essential questions you ask the breeder when buying a German Shepherd puppy.

German Shepherd puppy health issues you can check yourself

This is one of the most critical sections of what to look for and know before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Health problems are common, but there are some things you can check, often in the company of the breeder whilst seeing the litter.

Whilst not all health issues will be obvious, there are some which have visible signs. Here’s what you can check for easily:

1. Eye health: Eyes are very easy to check. Things to look for include cataracts which can be hereditary; look for cloudiness. Red eyes and visible gunk or discharge is also a sign of ill health. Also look at the health of the mother’s eyes.
2. Ear and nose health: Similarly, the ears and nose should be free of gunk, be free of nasty odors, and not have any discoloring such as redness or sores.
3. Coat health: German Shepherd puppies should have shiny and clean coats.

Is a German Shepherd puppy right for you and your family?

If you have decided to buy a German Shepherd, please make sure that it will fit into your lifestyle, work commitments and family life.

German Shepherds need a lot of exercise, they can even be very clingy and do demand a lot of attention.

If you are active yourself and enjoy long walks, then a German Shepherd could be the right dog for you.

However, if you like a couple of short walks each day, perhaps live in an apartment, and like to have cuddle up on the couch, a German Shepherd’s might not be a great choice.

Handy Hint: I published a list of 21 signs that show your German Shepherd loves you and is happy in their life. You can check the list of happiness signals here.

What age should I buy a German Shepherd puppy?

This is another factor that comes into play when looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy and should never be overlooked: Puppies should not leave their mother before the age of 8 weeks old. If they leave the mother before this, it can affect their health and behavior in the long term.

Never buy a German Shepherd younger than 8 weeks as it won’t have received the nutrition it needs form the mother and will be much harder to train and socialize.

Don’t fall for a German Shepherd puppy scam!

There are so many scams going around with popular pedigree dog breeds that I’ve lost count on the number of ways people come up with take your money.

There are scammers out there who know how easy it is to pull a fast one on a person who has fallen in love with a puppy.

Here’s a list of the most common scams you might come across when buying a German Shepherd puppy:

• Adverts that promise a free puppy, only to sell at a discounted price.
• Sellers who give sob stories about a family bereavement, moving away, not being able to care for the puppy.
• Asking for more money to complete paperwork.
• Promising to transfer a puppy across a long geographical distance.
• Prices and offers that look too good to be true.

Conclusion

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the country right now, and it’s easy to see why. They suit the lifestyle of owners who have a outdoors lifestyle and want an active dog.

However, with this explosion in popularity has also come a downside: unscrupulous breeders looking to make a quick buck.

For first time dog owners, it’s easy to quickly fall into the trap of buying the first German Shepherd you see. I implore not to do that, but instead ask the questions of a German Shepherd breeder I’ve laid out and know what to look for when buying your puppy.

If you do your due diligence, not only can you reduce the risks of buying an unhealthy German Shepherd, but you will also do you bit to get rid of the bad breeders.

You might also like…

Once you have your German Shepherd, please keep coming back for more German Shepherd love; here’s some of the latest:

• These foods should never be fed to a GSD!
• Here’s why the police love GSDs so much

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/Cduc0oslTxQ

The post What to Look for When Buying a German Shepherd Puppy? + Questions to Ask a Breeder appeared first on DoggySaurus.

If you read on you will find out what the early gestation signs are, what the German Shepherd pregnancy stages are, and how you can make her as comfortable as possible.

The early signs of a German Shepherd pregnancy

• Your GSD’s appetite will decrease, and she might even miss some meals altogether.
• Your GSD’s stomach could get bigger, sometimes as soon as 14 days after insemination.
• Your vet could feel her belly, possibly feeling movements as soon as 20 to 30 days.
• Your GSD may exhibit behavioral changes including lethargy.
• Your GSD’s nipples might have become enlarged in readiness for nursing.

None of the methods above are fool-proof checks to tell whether your German Shepherd is pregnant and expecting a litter of puppies though. Instead vets and breeders rely on more scientific methods to test for pregnancy, including German Shepherd ultrasounds, all of which you can see below.

How to tell if a German Shepherd is pregnant

To check for certain if your German Shepherd is pregnant, there are two methods which will offer 100% proof of pregnancy.

1. German Shepherd ultrasound 25 days after mating

The fastest method for finding if your German Shepherd has conceived is to get your vet to perform a German Shepherd ultrasound. This scan can be first done 3 weeks after mating, but at this early stage it won’t always be 100% accurate – the best results come with an ultrasound at least 25 days after conception.

Ultrasounds are pain-free, but it can be a stressful occasion if your German Shepherd doesn’t like the vets as their belly hair will be shaved off.

The costs of an ultrasound pregnancy check tend to range between the $300 to $500-dollar bracket (£230 to £380 GBP). It’s not a cheap method, and many people will simply wait until their German Shepherd is showing more obvious signs of pregnancy rather than paying for a scan.

2. Blood sample at 5 weeks after mating

The second option for a pregnancy test is using a blood test. This can be performed after 5 weeks post mating and will help to detect a pregnancy hormone in your German Shepherd.

It doesn’t cost as much as an ultrasound but isn’t always accurate when done too early on. For example, if your German Shepherd has been pregnant for less than 35 days, it might flag up as being negative, even if she is pregnant.

What is the most reliable German Shepherd pregnancy test then?

The most accurate way to know if your German Shepherd is pregnant is the first option; the German Shepherd ultrasound. However, it should only be done after 25 days post mating, otherwise it might throw up an inaccurate result.

One the best things about this type of pregnancy test is how you can see the developing puppies on the scan images. You might also be able to tell at this point how many puppies your German Shepherd is expecting, although it might not always be an exact count due to their size and overlapping in the womb.

If you wait another 20 days, but day 45 you can also get an X-ray of the pregnant German Shepherd. This will let the vet count the skulls in the womb, giving a 100% accuracy count on how many puppies are in the litter.

German Shepherd pregnancy stages

Once you know your German Shepherd is pregnant, the excitement can really start. But what can you expect from the German Shepherd pregnancy stages? Here’s a quick overview of each stage.

Month 1

The first month of your German Shepherd’s pregnancy isn’t actually that interesting, and a lot of the time you might not even notice anything at all. Some owners won’t even know their German Shepherd is pregnant without the aid of an ultrasound.

By day 7 of the pregnancy, German Shepherd puppy embryos will get to the uterine horns. By 14 to 16 days the German Shepherd embryos will have attached themselves into the lining of the mother’s uterus.

The 22^nd day will typically see the German Shepherd fetuses starting to form, and around the 29^th day, vets are able to detect heart beats using an ultrasound scan.

Your German Shepherd will now 3 weeks pregnant and should start showing some of the pregnancy signs I spoke of earlier. At this point those signs may even change a little to be:

• Your German Shepherd might now be eating more than usual after the loss of appetite earlier in the pregnancy.
• Your German Shepherd’s nipples should now be larger than they were before.
• Your German Shepherd might change behavior, looking for comfort and cuddles with her owner.
• Your German Shepherd might have a clear discharge during the 4^th
• Your German Shepherd will start to slow down and reduce her activity levels.
• Your German Shepherd could even start showing signs of canine morning sickness.

Whilst these are typical signs of German Shepherd pregnancy, not all German Shepherds will exhibit these. It’s still very early on in the pregnancy and can be hard to detect properly.

Handy Hint: German Shepherds can actually have false pregnancies. I wrote a guide which includes information on what to look for and how long a dog’s phantom pregnancy can last.

Month 2

The second month is where the pregnancy signs start to accelerate with the eyelids and toes appearing on the fetuses between the 32^nd and 35^th day.

The development is very rapid, as by day 40, the German Shepherd fetuses will have grown claws, and by day 45 have a skeletal form and even a coat.

You could ask your vet to perform an X-ray on the 50^th day as it will be possible to use this to check how many puppies your German Shepherd is expecting. It’s very exciting, as you can now plan for the litter size!

By the 58^th day, your German Shepherd will start her nesting behavior. This is where she starts looking for a safe and comfortable place in the house to give birth. Owners can help their dogs with added bedding, heat lamp, and creating a more secure environment for them – here’s what you need to know about whelping boxes.

It should now be outwardly obvious that your German Shepherd is pregnant, as she will certainly now be showing a rounder belly.

More signs of German Shepherd pregnancy at this stage include:

• Your GSD will be eating a lot more than usual.
• Your GSD will then start to eat less again around the 45^th
• Your GSD will gain significant weight.
• Your GSD will need to urinate more than usual.
• Your GSD will have a clear vaginal discharge.
• Your GSD’s belly will become firmer between the 45th and 50^th
• Your GSD’s belly might show signs of movement by day 50.

Month 3

The third month is when you can ratchet up the excitement. You will definitely now know that your German Shepherd is pregnant, as there’s no mistaking it in this stage.

Yep, you guessed it, during this German Shepherd pregnancy stage she will be giving birth. The puppies will start to move into position to arrive as by the 58^th day they are almost completely formed – they will move into the birth canal for the last few days of pregnancy.

The signs during this stage you will start to see include:

• Her waist will get slimmer as the puppies move into position.
• She will not want to eat much around days 61 and 62.
• Her temperature will drop around 1 and 2 days before birth.
• She will start to get agitated and restless.
• She could even increase the nesting actions such as digging, pacing, panting, and shivers.

German Shepherd pregnancy tips

Your German Shepherd will be pregnant for between 58 and 68 days. The average length of a German Shepherd pregnancy is about 63 days from the mating date to delivery.

There will be plenty of behavioral changes in your German Shepherd too, not just physical ones. For example, as she enters the last 14 days of pregnancy you might see the following signs:

• Your German Shepherd will want to cuddle you more and show you more love.
• Your German Shepherd won’t want to socialize with other dogs but could be cling to you.
• Your German Shepherd will be calmer and less excitable.
• Your German Shepherd might appear to be uncomfortable.
• Your German Shepherd might want to sleep more and even in different places.

How to prepare for a German Shepherd pregnancy

As a breeder or owner, there are things you can also do to make sure your German Shepherd is ready to have a comfortable pregnancy and then give birth safely. These preparation tips include:

• Change her diet after month 1 by adding puppy kibble. This is smaller and more nutritious for growing puppies.
• Don’t over-exert her and she will be more tired and have a lot less energy. Her breathing might also become strained.
• Help her with the nesting process, making up her crate as comfortable as possible and not at the last minute. She needs to feel safe and secure, and know that she has a place to give birth safely and securely.

How German Shepherds give birth

The most common way that a German Shepherd will give birth is naturally. However, due to complications, some might need a c-section. Here’s an overview of what that might mean.

1. C-section

This technique is used in a small amount of German Shepherd pregnancies. Your vet can help you to decide if this is the best option by using an X-ray to check how large the skulls are, and how many puppies are expected.

German Shepherd c-sections can cost between $640 and $1,300 dollars (£500 and £1,000 GBP). There are some risks to this surgery as it will be performed under an anaesthetic.

2. Natural birth

If you decide to let things happen naturally after consultation with your vet, look out for the warning signs that your German Shepherd is ready to give birth to her litter.

If it’s time for your German Shepherd to give birth, then make sure her nest is completely ready. You will notice that she will start to visit her nest several times, returning back and forth to the area, scraping the towels several times, and then finally settling down and panting like she’s just had a lot of exercise.

This is not a calm time for her at all, and you will notice heavy breathing and an increased heart rate. It can take up to 12 hours for the first of the puppies to appear.

After a puppy has been delivered, the German Shepherd mother will bite at the sack and lick the excess away from the puppy. This lets the newborn start to breath in oxygen. Some owners might have to help with this if the mother struggles to do so.

You might even see the German Shepherd mother eating the sack and umbilical cords. Don’t be alarmed, as they actually contain nutritional elements and it’s entirely instinctive.

Once the German Shepherd puppy is out and moving, you can help my placing it onto the mother’s nipples to let them start feeding.

When to worry

Whilst most births should go without a hitch (if recommended by a vet), there are warning signs that the delivery isn’t going to plan.

For example, if 10 hours have passed since she nested and sat down and you still haven’t seen a puppy, it could mean a blockage in the birth canal. This will then require an emergency c-section.

Handy Hint: If you do opt for a natural birth and encounter complications you will have to pay for an emergency c-section which will be far more expensive than if you had just booked one in to start with.

Conclusion

Knowing when your German Shepherd is pregnant is absolutely essential. If you don’t know she’s expecting, you can’t prepare her for the birth, and could put her and the litter at risk of miscarriage.

When it comes to the birth itself, most breeders I have spoken recommend a natural births.

If you do have a pregnant German Shepherd, then I wish you and her all the best and would love to see some photos of the pups!

You might also like…

Here are some more guides for owners of this breed.

• Never let a GSD eat this as it could be fatal
• Potty training tips for GSD owners

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-friend-german-shepherd-coat-1877814/

The post How Do I Know If My German Shepherd is Pregnant? + Signs & Stages appeared first on DoggySaurus.

I recommend you print this list off and stick it your refrigerator… some of the foods I list that your dog should avoid, aren’t just bad for your German Shepherd, they could even be fatal. Some could even poison your dog and are are foods that are toxic to not just GSDs, but all breeds.

Because of this, I’ve put the most poisonous foods to German Shepherds first on the list. It explains why they are toxic and even how much they might eat before you call a vet.

Bottom line though; if your GSD eats anything they shouldn’t, don’t wait to read notes like this on the Internet – call your vet!

So, if you want to find out what bad foods German Shepherds can’t eat, plus some plants that are poisonous to them too – read on.

Poisonous foods for German Shepherds

Like most dogs, German Shepherds will eat whatever you put in front of them. If you happen to drop something on the floor and they gobble it up, in most cases, they should be fine with eating things in moderation.

However, there are some foods that are extremely toxic and not safe for German Shepherds to eat, even in small amounts. Knowing what German Shepherds cannot eat is really important in keeping your dog safe.

Here’s the most dangerous foods for German Shepherds, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.

1. Chocolate

This is most commonly misunderstood food that German Shepherds cannot eat, and the one that leads to most people having to call a vet.

It’s all due to the toxic theobromine substance in chocolate. Just small amounts can make your German Shepherd sick, so if chocolate drops on the floor, pick it up immediately. In large quanties your dog will vomit, and in more serious cases develop an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, seizure, and even death.

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and poisonous to German Shepherds as it contains more of the theobromine. Be careful to not even leave it on the side in your kitchen as GSDs are able to counter surf very easily compared to smaller breeds.

2. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

All of these foods are in the Allium family. Anything in this bracket is a poisonous food for German Shepherds, whether it’s been boiled, cooked, or whatever – it’s not something your German Shepherd should eat ever.

These foods are said to makes dogs feel poorly and in larger amounts can lead to red blood cell damage. You won’t always see symptoms of poisoning straight away as it can take a few days for the toxic effects to take effect.

3. Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints

Xylitol is one of the most toxic things a German Shepherd can eat, and is commonly found in some mints and sugar-free gums.

According to research (see research published on MSU.edu), xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate is for dogs. If they just eat one stick of gum with xylitol, a small dog could see their blood sugar levels dip considerably.

If the small dog went onto to eat a whole pack of gum with 10 sticks containing toxic xylitol, it could damage their liver irreparably and possibly even kill them.

Other foods and household items that can contain xylitol include:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Peanut butter
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar free breath mints
• Fruit drinks
• Jellies and jams
• Cereals
• Baked goods
• Sugar-free puddings and Jello
• Over the counter vitamin supplements

4. Candy and sweets

It’s not just the foods above that come with toxic xylitol. Some candy brands do too, so always check the labelling.

To be frank, you shouldn’t be letting your dog eat candy anyway, even if it’s free of poisonous xylitol. Why? It’s due to the sugar levels plus there’s also the risk of choking or blockages in your German Shepherd’s digestive tract or tooth fractures.

5. Certain peanut butter brands

Show me a German Shepherd who does not love peanut butter. It’s renowned as being a favorite treat for all dogs, especially when we put it in a Kong Toy.

However, some peanut butter brands include xylitol. This substance is toxic to dogs and needs to be avoided at all costs due to poisoning.

6. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is not among the poisonous foods for German Shepherds, but it is dangerous due to the cob part. These can lodge in the throat of your dog and intestines, so should be avoided at all costs.

Sweetcorn is fine, as this will be easily digestible though.

7. Cooked bones

Dogs love to eat bones. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but there are dangers with this food type, particularly with puppies.

When bones are cooked, they become brittle and can break apart. This means that when German Shepherds eat cooked bones, small slithers can perforate their internal organs, leading to big risks to their health… with possible fatal consequences.

8. Avocado

Fruit is a great food for German Shepherds, but not all fruit! Avocado is one such, as it can be bad for German Shepherds but only when prepared in a particular way.

Avocados contain a poisonous toxin called persin which when eaten in large quantities can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, persin is mostly concentrated in the avocado skin and pit, rather than the fleshy part.

So, should your German Shepherd eat an avocado, chances are you won’t have any problems. But, it’s still worth avoiding, especially the toxic parts – the skin and stone.

9. Grapes and raisins

Another group of fruits that can be poisonous to your German Shepherd are grapes and raisins. They are a toxic food for German Shepherds and can lead to kidney failure when eaten in large quantities.

10. Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All nuts should really be avoided in a German Shepherd’s diet, as they are just the right size and texture that lead to choking. However, these two nuts which are potentially toxic to dogs.

When eaten at volume, both can result in diarrhea, sickness, and the possibility of canine pancreatitis.

The side effects of Macadamia nuts are very nasty and rank high on the list of poisonous foods for German Shepherds… the poisoning can result in hyperthermia, tremors, vomiting, and lethargy.

11. Cherry, peach, and plum pits

Due to the size of pips and seeds like this, they can become lodged in the intestines of dogs. Blockages are a very real risk, so don’t let things like this anywhere near your dog’s mouth.

There are also trace elements of cyanide in the pits of some fruits like peach and plum. It would take a heck of a lot to poison your German Shepherd, but it’s a bad food either way.

12. Mustard seeds

Mustard is so vomit-inducing to German Shepherds that vets sometimes use it to make dogs sick up for medical purposes. The seeds in particular are very toxic as they contain poisonous elements to dogs.

13. Coconuts and coconut oil

A little bit of coconut is unlikely to harm your German Shepherd, but the milk and white flesh of a coconut is known to cause stomach upsets in dogs.

The reasons coconut water should be avoided is due to the potassium in it, at high levels too.

14. Yeast dough

When ingested, yeast dough will heat up and then start to rise and create gas. This is very problematic in a German Shepherd’s digestive system, leading to extreme pain, bloating, and possibly the twisting of their gut.

It’s potentially fatal, so if your German Shepherd eats yeast dough, visit a vet immediately… the yeast can also change into ethanol, a highly potent alcohol.

15. Alcohol

This is good time to talk about alcohol dangers and how dangerous this drink can be for dogs.

Alcohol consumption can make your German Shepherd have diarrhea, vomit, difficulty in breathing, tremors, a lack of coordination, abnormal blood acidity, central nervous system depression, and even a possible coma or death.

Giving your dog alcohol isn’t funny and can kill them.

16. Hops

On a similar topic, the hops that are used in home brewing kits are also a dangerous ingredient for German Shepherds to eat. There are compounds in the hops that lead to malignant hyperthermia.

That means your German Shepherd’s temperature can rise rapidly, possibly causing permanent damage to the organs and brain or even death.

17. Coffee, caffeine, and tea

Drinks with in are bad for German Shepherds. It’s all down to the methylxanthines in the caffeine which causes similar bad reactions in dogs to chocolate.

If your German Shepherd has licked up a couple of coffee granules, chances are he will be fine. But in large amounts such as loose tea and coffee beans, it could be very harmful and require vet’s help.

18. Nutmeg

Myristicin us a toxic substance with trace amounts found in nutmeg. When dogs eat it in large amounts it can lead to various problems including abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, and even the possibility of hallucinations.

19. Moldy food

If your dog has access to trash, be very careful. Moldy food is bad for German Shepherds as it can contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins grow on moldy food and make it poisonous when ingested.

Bad food for German Shepherds

In addition to the foods that are bad for German Shepherds, there are others. Whilst they are not strictly considered poisonous and toxic, you should avoid them due to the potential negative side effects. For example, weight gain.

20. Milk and dairy products

Many German Shepherds will be lactose intolerant, meaning dairy products can make them sick. Dogs don’t have the same digestive system as us and can find it hard to break down lactose in milk, meaning runny diarrhea issues!

21. Blue cheese

Given that you know dairy is bad option for dogs, it should come as no surprise that some cheeses can be dangerous. Avoid the blue cheeses, Roquefort, and Stilton. They have roquefortine C which is known to cause very bad reactions in dogs.

This can include symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In more extreme cases your German Shepherd could develop seizures and tremors if they eat a lot of blue cheese.

22. Meat and eggs that have not been cooked properly

Many owners now feed their German Shepherd a raw diet, and there’s nothing wrong with that providing they get all the nutrients and goodness required.

However, there is some research to suggest that bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli can be contracted by dogs eating raw meat.

23. Food and drinks with high sugar content

Sugary food and snacks aren’t good for us, so they certainly aren’t for your dog. In fact, this is one of the worst foods for German Shepherds, and can result in a range of health problems.

Dogs that have too many snacks with sugar content are at risk of developing diabetes, weight gain, and even decayed teeth and gums. Sugar can also upset delicate German Shepherd tummies too, so something to avoid at all costs.

24. Food high in salt and sodium content

Just like lots of sugar, the same applies to salt content. Food that is high in sodium can potentially poison your German Shepherd… but is most likely to lead to them getting extreme thirst and increased urination in the volume it would be in dropped food. This is why you need to be very careful when your dog eats things from the McDonalds’ menu like this…

If your German Shepherd does eat lots of salt, the warning signs are very severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, and seizures.

25. Fatty foods

Fatty foods such sausage, bacon, burgers, and fried food can result in upset stomachs. If your German Shepherd gets to eat these tasty snacks over a prolonged period of time, it could even result in pancreatitis.

Yes, it’s hard to say no to those pleading eyes when they beg for your food, but often the tastiest food is the worst for German Shepherds.

What plants are poisonous to German Shepherds?

There are also things your German Shepherd should not eat outdoors including the following toxic plants.

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Citrus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hibiscus
• Hostas
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Mushroom plants
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tomato leaves and stems
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

This list contains just the most common plants that are poisonous to German Shepherds. For a more comprehensive list, please download this print out from the Dogs Trust.

Conclusion

The reality is, most of the time if your German Shepherd has just eaten a very small amount of any of the bad foods listed here, they “should” be ok.

But, please never leave anything to chance and also consult with a professional veterinarian for advice.

I am not a vet, just a dog owner so all I have written here today is what I have personally learned and research myself. It should not replace veterinarian advice.

You might also like…

In addition to this list of foods toxic to German Shepherds, I also write individual guides about other things they can eat, and the health implications. Here’s a small sample of recent content.

• Has your GSD started doing this to you?
• This is what a fat and overweight GSD looks like

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-sheep-dog-german-shepherd-1613976/

The post What Foods Are Bad, Poisonous, & Toxic to German Shepherds? 25 Bad Foods! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

But how much attention will a German Shepherd need, and why exactly are German Shepherds so clingy? Let’s take a closer look…

Why is my German Shepherd so clingy? German Shepherds are renowned as having a clingy nature due to how they have been bred; as dogs designed for human companionship in more modern times. Because of this, German Shepherd will follow their owners everywhere and are prone to suffering with separation anxiety.

If you don’t think you can handle this neediness, a German Shepherd really isn’t the dog for you. They will constantly need you to be in close attention, so won’t suit someone with a busy lifestyle you cannot give the German Shepherd the attention it needs.

They are also high in energy and need to be active a lot of the time… it can take some time until they calm down from being puppies.

If this is going to annoy you, look at different smaller dog breeds that are known to be more independent such as Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, Miniature Pinschers, and Scottish Terriers.

Do German Shepherds require a lot of attention?

Because of their clingy nature, German Shepherds are rather manic dogs and are also rather susceptible to separation anxiety, meaning that they dislike being left at home for even short periods of time. Here’s a list of things you might not be able to do due to how much attention German Shepherds need:

• You might not be able to leave the house or even go to the bathroom without being followed.
• You might not be able to shut them in a room when the doorbell goes.
• You might not be able to cuddle your partner or kids.
• You might not be able to go to the toilet without them barking and scratching at the door.
• You might not be able to go to work from 9 to 5 without doggy daycare help.
• You might not be able to leave them in the car for a few minutes when you run in a store.

However, because of their medium size they are also easy to take with you. Leaving your German Shepherd at home on its own for a long period of time can lead to destructive behaviour, either from anxiety or boredom.

If you have things like work commitments, or a life so busy that you can’t give the German Shepherd the attention it needs then don’t get one. The other alternative is to possibly think about getting more than one German Shepherd… many owners say German Shepherds are better in pairs.

The bottom line is this; German Shepherds require a lot of attention and if you can’t give them that it could not only impact on their mental health, but also cause you untold problems around your home.

Do German Shepherds get attached to one person?

In many cases, German Shepherds do become attached to just the one person. Their chief care giver will become the focus on their world and can result in clingy behavior, and sometimes even aggression towards others.

However, this isn’t a blanket rule by any stretch, but compared to other dog breeds, German Shepherds do tend to be very clingy towards just one person.

My German Shepherd has just started getting more clingy than usual

Whilst the majority of German Shepherds have a large degree of clinginess, sometimes the clingy behaviour can accelerate and become more intense than usual.

There are some common reasons for this including:

1. A change in your behavior: for example, if you have started a new job or have changed the times you come in and out of the house.
2. A new person in the house: German Shepherds have known to become clingier when a new arrival comes into the house. That could be a baby, a visitor, or a new partner who takes the attention away from them.
3. A change to their environment: if you move to a new house, or even move their bed into a new room, this could trigger your German Shepherd’s anxiety, making them even more needy than before.
4. A change in their health: other aspects that make your German Shepherd more clingy than usual can be their own health. For example, if their eyesight or hearing has started to reduce, and they get scared.
5. A sudden noise or act of aggression: classic German Shepherd neediness can be triggered by the stress of fireworks or an aggressive interaction they have had with another dog.
6. A lack of mental stimulation: all dogs like to play, and if your German Shepherd doesn’t have enough toys, he could become more needy and clingy around you.
7. A case of separation anxiety: German Shepherds cannot be left alone for longer than an hour or two. Any more than that and they could develop separation anxiety, but more about that in a moment.

And one last thing here… if you have a female GSD, is there any chance she could be pregnant at all? Dogs can get clingy when they are expecting puppies, so here are the signs of a GSD pregnancy to check for.

What does German Shepherd separation anxiety look like?

These factors above all come into play with separation anxiety. German Shepherds should not be left alone for hours, as they simply won’t be able to cope with the stress.

The signs below are classic signals to look out for if your German Shepherd is suffering separation anxiety:

• Urinating and defecating in a new place (here’s how to retrain them).
• Pacing, heavy panting, and drooling.
• Barking and howling more than usual.
• Digging your garden, chewing your stuff, and being destructive.
• Trying to escape the yard or house – like under or over fences.

You can reduce your German Shepherd’s separation anxiety when you leave your home by adopting the following routines:

• Always stay calm and put them at ease.
• Don’t make a big thing of it when you leave the house.
• Build them a safe and comfortable place to sleep in.
• Only leave the house for short absences at first.
• Use positive reinforcement.
• Keep your German Shepherd happy and entertained with toys.
• Keep your German Shepherd well exercised to burn off excess energy.
• Employ a dog walker or doggy day care if you are away for a few hours.
• Speak with your vet for professional advice and possible medication.

Check if your German Shepherd is happy (and smiling)

If you still not sure whether your German Shepherd is happy or not, then you might want to check out other signs to look out for.

Conclusion

If you want a dog that doesn’t require constant attention, a German Shepherd really isn’t for you. They are renowned as being clingy and needy and cannot be left alone at home as need a lot of stimulation and exercise.

However, if it’s a side by side companion you want who will be your life partner until the end, a German Shepherd is a great choice.

But before you do jump in and buy one, please do your research first. German Shepherds are renowned for suffering with a range of health issues, some of which I’ve detailed in the blog posts below.

• How to check your GSD isn’t overweight with one simple tip
• Signs that your GSD is happy and loves you
• Questions to ask a breeder before you buy a GSD

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/DK5bHR3KYVM

The post Why Are German Shepherds So Clingy? They Needs Lots of Attention! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

As you can imagine, given their high energy levels, German Shepherds can be prone to overeating and associated weight issues. If these are not monitored properly, your GSD’s spiral out of control and lead to health issues later on in life.

How do I know if my German Shepherd is overweight? The weight a German Shepherd should be is 34 to 41 kg (75 to 90 pounds) for a male and is 25 to 32 kg (55 to 70 pounds) for a female. You can also check whether or not your German Shepherd is overweight by checking and assessing their upper torso area.

But how does this torso check work, and how do you do it?

It’s quite simple; here’s how you can tell if your German Shepherd is overweight and you don’t have scales.

Apply a little pressure to your German Shepherd’s chest and you should be able to feel their ribcage. This is how you know they are of an optimum weight. If you can barely feel the ribs at all, this is a fair indication that your German Shepherd is overweight.

What weight should a German Shepherd be?

I’ve already covered this briefly, but just to confirm, a health German Shepherd who is not overweight should fall into the following weight ranges:

• Male: 34 to 41 kg (75 to 90 pounds).
• Female: 25 to 32 kg (55 to 70 pounds).

As well as taking a German Shepherd’s gender into account, you should also consider their height in comparison to their weight. Broadly, a male German Shepherd height ranges on average between 24 to 26 inches, and 22 to 24 inches in height for females GSDs.

You should also consider other factors such as German Shepherds that are considered runts of the litter that may well never reach the maximum height. Consequently, you can expect smaller-than-average German Shepherds to weight a little less than the recommended guidelines.

Ensuring your German Shepherd remains a healthy weight may be challenging at times, but it is possible and helps to ensure your four-legged companion has a long, healthy and happy life.

This guide to ensuring your German Shepherd doesn’t become overweight will explain some of the ways you can help to make that happen.

How much should a German Shepherd weigh at 3 months?

But what about German Shepherd puppies who are just about to leave their mother? How much should a German Shepherd at 3 months weigh?

A 3-month-old German Shepherd male should weigh in at around 7.9 and 14 kg (17.5 to 31 pounds) dependent on being male or female. At 6 months of age, a male German Shepherd should weigh on average 24 kg (53 pounds) with female largest German Shepherd puppies being 20.8 kg (46 pounds) at 6 months.

How much should a German Shepherd mix weigh?

How much a German Shepherd mix should weigh is entirely dependent on what the German Shepherd has been mixed with. Here are some of the most popular German Shepherd mixes.

• Shollie (German Shepherd / Border Collie)
• Shepweiler (German Shepherd / Rottweiler)
• Golden Shepherd (German Shepherd / Golden Retriever)
• Bernese Shepherd (German Shepherd / Bernese Mountain Dog)
• Sheprador (German Shepherd / Labrador)
• Gerberian Shepsky (German Shepherd / Siberian Husky)
• Shepkita (German Shepherd / Akita)
• Shepadoodle (German Shepherd / Poodle)
• Dachshund Shepherd (German Shepherd / Dachshund)
• Chow Shepherd (German Shepherd / Chow Chow)
• German Ridgeback (German Shepherd / Rhodesian Ridgeback)
• New Shepherd (German Shepherd / Newfoundland)
• German Australian (German Shepherd / Australian Shepherd)
• German Sheppit (German Shepherd / American Pitbull Terrier)
• Saint Shepherd (German Shepherd / Saint Bernard)
• Alaskan Shepherd (German Shepherd / Alaska Malamute)
• Corman Shepherd (German Shepherd / Corgi)
• Beagle Shepherd (German Shepherd / Beagle)

You should consult with your vet as they will be able to take the weight of both mixes and then give you an ideal weight limit your German Shepherd mix should be.

More ways to tell if your German Shepherd is overweight

As well as weighing them and checking their upper-torso area, there are several ways to check whether or not your dog is piling on the pounds that doesn’t involve a visit to the vets.

1. Assess their appearance

As mentioned, a common rule of thumb when assessing the weight a German Shepherd should be is to look to their ribs. If your German Shepherd is a healthy weight, you shouldn’t be able to see their ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily – usually, they should have just a thin layer of fat over them.

It’s the same with their spine: if you see it, that means they’re too thin, but you should be able to feel the spine of a healthy German Shepherd with ease, because it should ideally only be covered by a thin layer of fat.

German Shepherds of a healthy weight should also have a visible waistline that is slightly smaller than their chest, and the base of their tail should have a small layer of fat that is smooth to the touch.

2. Their body has no definition

German Shepherds are supposed to have a lean and athletic build. This is why, at a healthy weight, you should be able to feel their ribcage and spine.

So, if your German Shepherd is looking a bit chunky or you are unable to feel their ribcage or spine under all the fat, you need to put them on a diet.

3. They get tired and overexerted easily

When German Shepherds are out of shape and overweight, they will become fatigued after just a few steps, panting a lot or wanting to stop already only minutes into your walk.

If this seems to be happening more often than it should, and you can rule out other external factors (such as hot weather) as being the cause, it is time to consult your vet about a diet and exercise plan.

4. They struggle to groom themselves

If your German Shepherd can’t reach behind their ear to itch their scratch or don’t seem to have the flexibility necessary to bite or groom themselves, this is a clear indication that they need to go on a diet due to being overweight.

Handy Hint: If your female GSD is gaining weight quickly make sure to rule out pregnancy. Here are the signs of pregnancy that show in German Shepherds.

Why are German Shepherds more prone to weight-gain?

When it comes to mealtimes, most dogs are able to self-regulate, and stop eating after a certain point once they’re full up or have enough food to maintain their energy levels.

However, German Shepherds are one of the few dog breeds that do not possess that ability of knowing when to stop – if left to their own devices, they could possibly even eat themselves to death.

German Shepherds love food and will eat pretty much anything, but they don’t know where to stop. Their owners need to remain extra vigilant in order to ensure that they do not overindulge and end up harming themselves as a result due to being overweight.

Owners need to keep mealtimes to twice a day with controlled, limited portions in order to ensure the wellbeing of their dog – and certainly avoid any foods bad for German Shepherds.

As well as this, German Shepherds, especially when they approach a more senior age, tend to be a lot less active when they get older.

If left to their own devices, they will run around and play a lot less than is healthy for them, and as with humans, this lack of exercise contributes to them gaining weight.

Handy Hint: Whilst your German Shepherd might be very manic now, he could start to calm down in the future. 

Conclusion

If you choose a German Shepherd as your pet, rest assured that you have gained an adoring best friend for life! It’s clear to see that for German Shepherds, being your companion is in their DNA.

However, that doesn’t mean that owning a German Shepherd comes without some challenges to overcome.

Although German Shepherds might be more prone to weight gain to other breeds if kept inactive, this doesn’t have to be a problem provided owners are vigilant in their care and regularly assess and check their German Shepherd for signs of weight gain.

On the whole, as long as you don’t feed your German Shepherd more than twice a day and ensure that they get the optimum amounts of exercise, they should be fine.

If you have any concerns about your German Shepherd’s weight, it isn’t the end of the world, either. It is just something to discuss with your vet to make sure your dog has a happy, fulfilling and healthy life.

You might also like…

There are certain foods your German Shepherd should never eat, as they can be toxic to them. See what they are on the link below.

• How you can tell that your GSD is happy and loves you
• How to stop your GSD from mouthing and biting

Image in header licensed via StockUnlimited.com.

The post How Do I Know if My German Shepherd is Overweight? (What Weight He Should Be) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Firstly, I am sure your German Shepherd loves you a lot, so please don’t worry. Secondly, I wanted to put together a list of signs to look out for so you can tell if your German Shepherd is happy or not. Firstly, a quick explainer though on German Shepherd love and happiness…

How do I know if my German Shepherd is happy? There are lots of ways you can tell a German Shepherd is happy and loves you including wiggly bottoms, a relaxed body, being playful, a good appetite and no destructive behavior. These and more are how you know your German Shepherd loves you and is happy.

How can I tell if my German Shepherd is happy and loves me?

If you’ve been out for a while and come through the door to an excitable German Shepherd jumping up at you, that’s a sign your German Shepherd loves you. But aside from the obvious, what else should you be looking out for?

Here’s my top list of signs on how to know your German Shepherd loves you.

1. Your German Shepherd has what appears to be a smile

German Shepherd will often relax their mouth, lips, and tongues to give you what looks like a happy grin. It’s a smile where their lips curl up, their eyes soften, and their tongue pops out.

2. Your German Shepherd does bottom wiggles and tail wags

German Shepherds will wag their tails when they are in the mood. What you will also notice how they love to wiggle their bum when happy.

If you come home through your door to be greeted by a shuffling, butt-wiggling pooch, you can be sure your German Shepherd loves you and is happy as Larry.

3. Your German Shepherd gives you the big puppy dog eyes

German Shepherd have some of the most expressive eyes of any dog, and not just because of the unique appearance. Like all dogs, they can give you the classic puppy dog eyes, which is a sign of a happy German Shepherd.

But why do dogs do this?

There’s actually some science behind it; apparently dogs have developed the ability to make your heart melt with a simple gaze as part of their domestic evolution. It’s a response behavior as dogs know it triggers a positive response in humans.

Happy dogs will relax their eyes, angry and scared dogs will narrow their eyes. So, if you see those soft German Shepherd eyes, you know yours is happy and loves you.

5. Your German Shepherd shows no aggression

Unhappy German Shepherds will be aggressive and will show their teeth. Whilst they might be small, they can still snarl, put their ears back slightly, and act defensively.

6. Your German Shepherd has a relaxed body

Loving and happy German Shepherds will be relaxed, and you will visibly see this in their body. A German Shepherd that loves you will show happiness with a relaxed body including those bum wiggles I mentioned earlier.

If you have ever seen one of those German Shepherd happy dances where their whole body starts wiggling, you will know what I mean. On the other hand, a rigid body is a sign of stress.

7. Your German Shepherd has plenty of reasons to play

Playful German Shepherds are happy German Shepherds. If you have a German Shepherd who doesn’t want to play, then get him checked out by a vet. Keep a keen eye on his activity levels and food intake – here’s how to check if your GSD is overweight.

It’s also one of the best signs to look for to see if your German Shepherd loves you. They will come up to you and try to initiate a game of play; that could be fetch, ball, tug of war, tickles, you name it.

For recommendations on what your German Shepherd should play with, take a look at these German Shepherd toy suggestions on Amazon.

8. Your German Shepherd does not exhibit destructive behavior

Unhappy German Shepherds can be destructive. When stressed and sad they will chew, bite and destroy anything in sight. This should not be confused with your puppy’s teething stage though when it’s completely natural or them to want to chew things.

One of the more common reasons for destructive behavior is separation anxiety. Dogs thrive on human company – being left home alone can have a huge impact on the way they behave.

If you are out at work, or even away from home for a couple of hours, you might come back to a scene of destruction. This can include barking, digging holes, chewing, tearing, ripping and other bad behavior.

To mitigate this, and to make your German Shepherd love you more, make sure you keep your German Shepherd active and exercised, play with them, and consider how long you might be leaving them home alone.

We bought a Furbo dog camera for when we go out. You can buy a Furbo on Amazon; they are great for dog separation anxiety… and will make your German Shepherd happy.

10. Your German Shepherd has a healthy appetite

You can tell your German Shepherd is happy if he’s eating well.

Dogs who lose their appetite, act lethargic, and are reluctant to play and more often than not, sick. Your German Shepherd puppy should be eating 3 small meals a day, whereas an adult should eat twice daily.

Handy Hint: Happy dogs will respond to their name, but just how do dogs learn their name in the first place?

Another key to their happiness that is food related will be to avoid any toxic foods that can make them gain weight or induce sickness.

11. Your German Shepherd sticks their tongue out

Whilst there is a condition called hanging tongue which can result from neurological and structural defects, a little tongue poking out can signal happiness.

You might notice it when your German Shepherd is asleep. The tongue poking out means that are completely relaxed and in a happy state.

The next time your German Shepherds tongue stick out, it could be a sign they are totally relaxed, content and happy with life.

12. Your German Shepherd has a healthy coat

A healthy coat means a happy dog… well, in most cases. But in all seriousness, a heathy looking coat is usually a sign that most is alright with your German Shepherd. When your German Shepherd’s in great shape, he or she will definitely love you for it.

On the flip side, a stressed-out German Shepherd can lose their hair. Signs to look out for include flaky skin, obvious signs of hair loss, and excessive scratching. If you do see this, it’s unlikely that you German Shepherd is happy.

13. Your German Shepherd wants to be close to you

When a German Shepherd leans into you, it’s a sign that they love you and are happy with everything you are doing as their owner. You please them so they want to get up close and personal!

14. Your German Shepherd follows you like a shadow

When you have earned the trust of your German Shepherd, you will soon notice that they follow everywhere, from room to room, and even if you shift on the couch.

As I mentioned earlier, German Shepherds can suffer with separation anxiety, so keeping close and following you around makes them feel secure. German Shepherds love to follow their owners; it’s one way for a German Shepherd to show it loves you.

New German Shepherds soon become very attached to their owners and will fall in love with you quickly providing you give them security they need.

15. Your German Shepherd will give you German Shepherd kisses

How do I know if my German Shepherd loves me? Could it be any clearer than with a big sloppy a kiss?

German Shepherds show affection to their owners by getting their nose and mouth up close to yours and administering their version of a kiss. It’s not a lip thing, instead getting their face right into yours and doing some rapid-fire sniffing or a lick.

But, play safe with this one. You don’t really want to encourage your German Shepherd to lick your mouth, despite how much it shows they love you and are happy for you to be their master.

16. Your German Shepherd will bring you their toys

If your German Shepherd keeps bringing toys to you, it’s a dog way of showing you love and affection. If it’s your German Shepherd’s favorite toy, you can’t get a higher recommendation than this!

Why? It’s their way of wanting to play with you, but also showing that you are the leader of the pack. By offering you their well-loved toys, it means they trust you to be responsible for their favorite possessions.

If your German Shepherd gives you a toy, it means your German Shepherd is happy and loves you. After all, if they share that toy, it means they want you to like and enjoy it just as much as they do.

Sharing is caring, and it’s one way of telling your German Shepherd is happy for you to be in their life.

17. Your German Shepherd will yawn back at you

You must have seen a friend or family member yawning back at you when you do one. This is a biological response triggered by empathy, leading to contagious yawns.

However, a recent study I found on ScientificAmerican.com explains that dogs also do this. But interestingly, they only tend to yawn back at their owners, and not strangers – because it’s all based on empathy.

If you do see your little dog yawning when you do, you know your German Shepherd loves you.

18. Your German Shepherd will raise their eyebrows

This isn’t an easy sign to see but can still be a very subtle way for your German Shepherd to show that they love you. I’ve personally not seen this in my own dogs, but did read about a study in Japan that founds when owners walk into a room, their dog will raise their eyebrows

The research found that dogs don’t do this with strangers though, only their close humans. That means if you walk into your lounge and your German Shepherd looks at your and raises an eyebrow, he’s bound to be happy and love you unconditionally.

19. Your German Shepherd will want to jump up on you

I know we’re meant to train our dogs not to jump up, but it’s still one way in which your German Shepherd shows how affectionate they are to you.

Whilst jumping up can be an adorable trait with a German Shepherd puppy, as they get older it’s can be problem behavior you should not really encourage.

20. Your German Shepherd will roll over

If your German Shepherd rolls over in front of you and asks for a belly rubbing, it’s a sure sign they trust and love you – not to mention being in the throes of happiness!

When a dog rolls onto his back and exposes his belly, it means they trust you as they make themselves vulnerable. This is classic submissive behavior that only secure and happy German Shepherds will display.

21: Your German Shepherd will let out a little sigh

German Shepherds can make little noises that let you tell they love you or they are in a happy mood.

For example, there’s one sound that shows your German Shepherd is happy to be around you. It’s a little sigh of content. Some have compared it to a low moan, and it tends to happen when your German Shepherd is settling down to relax.

If your German Shepherd does this in your company it means they feel safe and happy around you, with no worries over threats.

Signs of a depressed German Shepherd

I’ve already touched on a number of factors in my guide to German Shepherd happiness, but what should you look out for if your German Shepherd isn’t happy, but instead has depression?

Here are some signals that could point towards German Shepherd depression:

• Growling and aggressive behavior.
• Narrowed eyes.
• Lack of appetite.
• Increasing panting.
• Howling and whining.
• Indoor urination and/or defecation.
• Fearful behavior such as cowering and hiding.
• Destructive behavior including chewing.
• Overall disobedience.
• Lack of interest in playing and their toys.
• Disturbed or irregular sleep patterns.
• Too much sleep compared to usual.
• Excessive licking of themselves.
• No longer responding to love and affection.

Conclusion

Some people will get a dog without really thinking about the commitment involved. Raising a healthy and happy German Shepherd can be very hard work.

But how do you know if your German Shepherd is happy?

Well, I’ve detailed what I believe to be the main signs, but the bottom line is this; are they happy to see you, content, and healthy. If they are, your German Shepherd probably loves you and will do as long as you keep your side of the bargain up.

You might also like…

• Why GSDs can be quite a clingy breed of dog
• Why the police use German Shepherds so much
• How often you should be bathing your GSD

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/kL4octR2Zyk

The post How Do I Know My German Shepherd Loves Me & is Happy? (21 Reasons) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

There are some very good reasons why German Shepherds are good police dogs and why this breed has been used down the years (for example, instead of Pitbulls).

Today I will explore the myriad ways why German Shepherds make good police dogs, as well as the history of the breed – and other equally fascinating questions including why they began working with the police.

Why are German Shepherds good police dogs?

First and foremost, German Shepherds are used as police dogs and prized among law enforcement for their confidence and temperament. When highly trained, they are capable of dealing with high-risk situations, remaining calm, alert, and ready to respond and react to their handler’s commands.

For many breeds this line of work can prove stressful, however, this is not the case for German Shepherds, who thrive under pressure.

In addition, German Shepherds are relaxed and well-tempered dogs who will allow strangers to approach them if their handler gives the go-ahead. They will rarely show aggression unless their job requires it, making them a trusted breed for more delicate types of police work, such as detection of drugs, missing people, and search and rescue.

When it comes to loyalty, German Shepherds are second to none, quickly forming lifelong bonds with their owners and handlers. Furthermore, they will defend those they have bonded with fiercely if the need arises, fighting tooth and nail to protect them.

As you can imagine, these characteristics are why police dogs are usually German Shepherds rather than other breeds.

In terms of athleticism, German Shepherds are regarded as highly athletic dogs, being able to perform impressive feats of stamina and endurance when the time arises.

Interestingly, when compared to other breeds, they are not the fastest dogs, however, what sets them apart is their perfect size and stature. Smaller and faster breeds of dogs, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, are not well suited for police work due to their thin and delicate builds.

Whilst larger breeds of dogs are known to struggle with their stamina, limiting the roles they can carry out in the police force.

Lastly, because of their high levels of intelligence, German Shepherds are one of the most rewarding dogs to train. They will listen closely to their handlers, following commands, and showing an eagerness to learn.

With rigorous training, a German Shepherd will quickly turn into an elite and extremely well-disciplined canine, a perfect companion for officers.

Furthermore, German Shepherds are born with a natural desire to work, ensuring that they enjoy their roles in law enforcement. In fact, German Shepherds used as police dogs are purportedly some of the happiest canines in the world.

How did German Shepherds begin working with police?

The history of how German Shepherds began working with the police is a short but extremely layered one. It helps to look at the history of the breed first.

For example, when looking at German Shepherds for the first time, you would be forgiven for thinking that they are closely related to wolves. However, this is not the case. Instead, they are a relatively modern breed of dog, with their origins only dating back to around 1899 – much later than the majority of dog owners would imagine.

Around this time, large, industrialized cities were popping up all over Germany, causing the local populations of predators to heavily decline. As a byproduct of this, the need for sheepdogs, who had previously been used to defend flocks of livestock, began to become unnecessary.

However, this was not the end for the breed, and instead, they became highly prized as strong and intelligent working dogs.

Eventually, a German man named Von Stephanitz developed a keen interest in Germany’s native sheepdogs. You can read more about him on Wikipedia.

However, although Von Stephanitz greatly admired the breeds, he was not completely satisfied, and instead set his sights on finding the perfect working dog. In 1899, he would attend a dog show wherein he was shown a remarkably intelligent canine named Hektor Linksrhein.

Von Stephanitz was so impressed with Hektor that he immediately purchased him, and from there history was made.

Von Stephanitz would go on to create the Society for German Shepherd Dogs, declaring that the newly renamed Horand von Grafrath was the first German Shepherd and adding him to the society’s register.

From here, Horand would go on to be bred with other suitable dogs, resulting in the German Shepherd breed quickly exploding in popularity and abundance. Within a decade, German Shepherds were regarded as one of the world’s most common breeds, with the dogs being employed for various jobs.

How did German Shepherds become police dogs?

Around 1910, after being approached by Von Stephanitz, German police departments began testing the breed for protection, tracking and other forms of sensitive work.

The German police were thoroughly impressed, and shortly thereafter, the dogs were used widely throughout Germany in branches of both the military and police.

From here, the use of German Shepherds as police dogs quickly spread, soon reaching Europe, America, and the rest of the world.

What roles do German Shepherds play in law enforcement?

If you are anything like the average person, you have probably grown up watching German Shepherds in the police on the television from a young age.

Through the collective mediums of TV shows, movies, and books, the image of German Shepherds chasing down and restraining criminals has been burned into our collective minds.

In addition to this, the large presence of police dogs in airports and events has gone a long way in coloring our perception of what we believe the breed, and in extension, police dogs as a whole, do in their everyday lives.

However, contrary to what you might think, German Shepherds are employed in various different roles throughout Law Enforcement.

For example, German Shepherds are often trained for the purpose of finding missing persons. This role, known as Search & Rescue, is often deployed in the wake of a large-scale disaster (such as an earthquake, tornado, landslide, or plane crash).

Together with their handlers, dogs will search for signs of survivors, navigating dangerous and unstable environments in the process.

For this reason, Search & Rescue dogs must be highly agile and able to adapt to different forms of terrain on the fly.

It is common knowledge that dogs trained in sniffing or detection work are regularly utilized in the search for illegal substances and explosives.

However, what you might not know is that they are used to detect organic materials, such as blood and wildlife scat.

German Shepherds make good police dogs as they excel at this line of work and don’t tend to develop weight gain. Due to their excellent sense of smell and are often deployed to help police officers find human remains and other signs of foul play.

Why do police use German Shepherds and not Pitbulls?

Lastly, as we will all be aware of, German Shepherds are brilliant attack dogs. Although this sounds intimidating, it is worth noting that they are only trained to attack on command or when provoked to do so.

Likewise, they will stop when commanded by their handler and only bite when asked to.

This is one of the reasons why police use German Shepherds and not Pitbulls. GSDs are more responsive to commands and training, and will back down when asked in most cases.

These well-trained dogs rarely prove a risk to law-abiding citizens, only criminals, and suspects on the run. Through rigorous practice, they gain the ability to assess a situation and react accordingly, even if their handler is not currently present.

To attain this elite level, they must pass regular obedience tests, proving that they are capable of following their handler’s commands without failure.

Did You Know: GSDs are used as cadaver dogs and can detect dead bodies just a few hours after death.

Do police dogs have to be German Shepherds?

Whilst German Shepherds have all the traits for making good police dogs, they are not the only breed used by police.

Police dogs do not have to be German Shepherds, with other breeds used including:

• Airedale Terrier
• Beagle
• Bloodhound
• Border Collie
• Boxer
• Doberman Pinscher
• English Springer Spaniel
• Golden Retriever
• Groenendael
• Malinois Dog
• Labrador Retriever
• Rottweiler

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have a new-found respect for your German Shepherd. Not only does your GSD make the perfect loveable, good-natured, and loyal companion, but behind that soft exterior lies a remarkably kind and gentle dog who would sooner perish than allow his beloved owner to come to any harm.

On the other hand, if you do not currently own a dog and are thinking about getting a puppy in the future, perhaps this article will convince you to take a look at GSD’s as a potential option.

Although police and other working-type breeds are sometimes seen as scary or intimidating, they have incredibly strong bonds with their owners and are often great companions for children.

With their high level of intelligence, large stature, and beautiful temperaments, is it not hard to see why German Shepherds are used by police organizations around the globe who will choose this breed as their primary working dogs.

You might also like…

More about the GSD breed below.

• When you can expect your German Shepherd puppy to calm down
• How often GSDs need to be bathed or showered
• This is how long is takes to train a police dog properly

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/police-dog-dog-guide-police-dog-2080995/

The post Why Are German Shepherds Used as Police Dogs? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

A huge part of adapting your puppy to domesticated life will be the toilet and potty training. You’ll need to teach them to distinguish when and where is appropriate to go to the bathroom. But be aware that all puppies are different, so it could take more time to housebreak and train than you expect.

You will need lots of patience, positivity and preparation, and there will definitely be bumps along the way. It’s important to not get disheartened at the first hurdle. Just keep persevering with your new friend and soon they’ll be fully toilet trained and one step closer to feeling at home with you.

How to potty train a German Shepherd puppy

As dog owners ourselves, I remember saying to my wife that having a puppy was like having a baby all over again – it really is that challenging, and you need to adopt a strict potty-training routine – here’s how we did it.

What you will need:

You won’t need much in the way of gear if you want to house train a German Shepherd…

• Puppy pads (view on Amazon)
• Crate (view on Amazon)
• Plenty of wipes and toilet tissue

1. Build a potty-training routine

When you first start house training your German Shepherd puppy, you should aim to build a routine around their toileting needs.

Luckily, their bladders and bowels are fairly predictable, as they are determined by not only their sleeping pattern, but also what they eat and drink.

• You should always take your puppy out to the toilet first thing as soon as they wake up – and this goes for whenever they wake up from naps too!
• As well as taking them out first thing in the morning, you should also take them out last thing at night or before you are going to leave them alone for an extended period of time: this is to prevent any accidents overnight or whilst you are gone!
• On top of this, you should also aim to take your puppy out to the toilet every thirty minutes to an hour. If they’re new to training, it is best to start off taking them out every half-hour before building up to a whole hour.

We actually started up a diary of what our puppy had eaten and and how often and what times he tended to urinate and defecate. This really helped us to adapt our routine in accordance with our puppy’s habits.

2. Diet control

As mentioned, food and drink are a huge indication as to when you should take your German Shepherd puppy out for potty breaks, with mealtimes integrating into a puppy’s toileting routine alongside the guidelines set out above.

All puppies have immature diet systems, which means that each meal tends to stimulate their digestive system faster than it would in adult dogs. Generally, puppies need to urinate within fifteen minutes of eating and then do a poop within half an hour of eating.

The nature of a puppy’s digestive system also means that they can handle less food at once, so it is best to give them three smaller meals three times a day rather than two bigger ones twice a day. Once your dog has finished eating, take away the food bowl until the next scheduled mealtime. This will prevent your puppy from overindulging.

You should also ensure that the food you give your puppy is of the higher possible quality – this means avoiding dog food with artificial colours and preservatives and ensuring that real meat is the primary ingredient.

3. Confinement and consistency

When your German Shepherd puppy is in the early stages of potty training, it is good to confine to a small area such as a room, a crate or via a lead until you are confident that they can roam the house freely without accidents.

Furthermore, consistency goes hand-in-hand with confinement, and it involves introducing your dogs to select areas to toilet in so that, over time, they will learn to associate going to the toilet with that area of the house or outside.

A good way to ease your dog into this component of toilet training is via puppy pad training or crate training.

4. Puppy pad training

Puppy-pad training is good to introduce the idea of your dog going to the toilet in a select area, but isn’t useful as a long-term solution. You don’t really want your German Shepherd puppy going to the bathroom indoors rather than outdoors.

Essentially, the purpose of the puppy pad is not only to reduce mess, but also to get your puppy used to the idea of doing their business in an approved, select area indoors (an area that is easy to clean up!).

Overtime, your puppy will learn to associate the pad itself with areas where it is okay to toilet, and at this stage it is good to move the mad outside to help them adapt.

You can buy puppy pads on Amazon. Here are the ones we used which also have very good Amazon reviews.

5. Crate training

Crates are an effective and approved way of toilet training your German Shepherd puppy at the beginning. It helps to avoid mess, helps you keep a closer eye for signs he needs to go and, most crucially, teaches the pup to hold it until they are let outside to go toilet.

Make sure the crate is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lie down but not large enough for them to defecate and urinate in.

You can find a suitably-sized crate on Amazon which work well with the German Shepherd breed.

6. Learn to pick up on the signs

To avoid accidents in the home, it is good to learn to recognise signs that your German Shepherd needs the toilet. Commons signs include:

• Sniffing the floor.
• Circling around the room.
• Looking restless and anxious.
• Going into an area they have previously toileted in.

If your puppy shows any of these signs, take them out to your chosen toileting spot immediately.

However, if accidents do happen, it is best to stay calm and not get angry at your puppy, as this will just make them fearful and cause them stress, which will actually result in more random accidents.

7. Use a phrase they will learn to understand

One of the most important aspects that goes a long with in potty training your German Shepherd puppy to use a phrase they learn to identify with.

With our own puppy, we would say “go pee pee” as soon as we had taken him outdoors or to his puppy pad. By doing so, he would learn to identify the phrase and location with the action.

After using this tactic long enough, whenever you say the magic words of “go pee pee,” your puppy will immediately know what they need to do.

8. Reward the puppy for a good job

When your German Shepherd puppy has finished his pee or poop in the right place, you should give them a reward or positive reinforcement with praise.

By rewarding good behavior you will start a pattern of success which can lead to far faster house breaking and training.

9. Never scold them

Accidents are going to happen a lot, and whilst this can be frustrating, never shout at or scold the puppy.

I remember countless times where I would have just cleaned a pee up from the kitchen floor, only for our puppy to crouch and pee again just seconds later.

Hold your tongue, and don’t react negatively because this can lead to anxiety and fear which will only make them pee or poop more when they aren’t meant to.

When should I start potty training my German Shepherd puppy?

It is generally recommended to start house training your German Shepherd puppy once they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old.

This is a good age to start because whilst it means that your puppy is still young enough to learn life-long skills and have their behavior moulded, at this stage your puppy should have enough control over their bladder and bowels to hold it when necessary – making the potty training process easier for them, and cleaner for you!

How long does it take to potty train a German Shepherd puppy?

I won’t sugar coat this at all; it could between 4 and 6 months for your puppy to get fully house trained. There are other factors which come into play though, such as individual temperament and environmental factors.

However, it’s not unheard of for it taking up to a year until a German Shepherd puppy is properly potty trained.

For example, you bring your German Shepherd puppy home once it’s over twelve weeks old, it might be the case that it hasn’t been housetrained by their previous owners, and certain behaviours they’ve picked up need to be unlearned.

Be prepared for accidents, but above all, have some wipes and tissue paper on hand all the time as you will get through a lot of this stuff!

Conclusion

Now you know how we advise you housebreak a German Shepherd puppy, I would love to know how you got on. Get in touch via social media and leave a comment.

Similarly, if you have better ideas on how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy, please share those in the community too.

The bottom line is this; do not underestimate to the work that goes into taking care of a new puppy. They’ll need to learn everything – from where to eat, going for walks and how to interact with people – by scratch, so you need to be prepared to put the work in so as to ensure that this incredibly formative period in your puppy’s life is successful.

Toilet training your puppy might feel a bit difficult at times, but with the right attitude, attentiveness and patience, they will learn this life-long skill.

However, if you have any concerns about their ability to toilet train, always contact a vet or a professional trainer. As unlikely as this is, there are some German Shepherds who will need expert help.

You might also like…

Here are some more German Shepherd guides I’ve written in recent months.

• How you know your GSD is a happy dog
• How often and how to bathe or shower a German Shepherd
• The teething stages in a GSD puppy
• Here’s why the police like to use German Shepherd for crime fighting

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/puppy-german-shepherd-animals-dog-953400/

The post How to Potty Train a German Shepherd Puppy in 9 Easy Steps appeared first on DoggySaurus.

With that in mind, how often is too often when it comes to bathing your German Shepherd? I spoke to our vet about this to get a professional opinion, and here’s what he said about washing regularity and how often German Shepherds need a bath.

How often should you bathe a German Shepherd? You should only bathe a German Shepherd every 2 to 6 months in order to maintain a balance between their skin health and hygiene. However, the reality is this probably isn’t practical, as German Shepherds love to run in mud and get dirty  so will need more regular baths and showers.

If you’re a dog owner, you know that bathing any dog every couple of months is almost impossible, especially if you live in a wetter climate where mud is common.

So, in practical terms, if your German Shepherd gets his coat muddy, and he starts to stink, you need to give them a bath outside of the regular bathing schedule.

There are a few things you ought to know in order for their grooming and bathing regime to be happy, healthy and effective.

How to bathe your German Shepherd in 5 simple steps

Most German Shepherds can be bathed in a standard bathtub with a shower, but if you have a small German Shepherd puppy, you can bathe them in a sink with a sink sprayer.

I would not bother filling up the tub. I would instead recommend you use the shower or sink sprayer, but if you want to fill up the tub, I would advise only filling it insofar as your dog’s ankles. This means they can still have their feet touching the floor and they’re paddling, not swimming.

This is especially important if your German Shepherd is young, anxious or not a very confident around water.

1. Gently wet your German Shepherd’s coat

The first step is to gently wet your dog’s fur with the shower orsink sprayer. When doing this, you need to keep an eye on two things: the water’s heat and intensity.

The water should be lukewarm: not too hot and not too cold, and if you’re using the shower, you don’t want to scare them off with the jets! I would only turn on the shower/sink sprayer halfway, so what you have is a gentle trickle rather than an intense spray.

It is incredibly important to get the temperature and the consistency of the water right, because not only do you risk harming your German Shepherd with burns, but you also risk scaring them and making them associate baths with unpleasant memories, feelings and sensations (like this) – making it incredibly difficult for you to give them baths in the future.

2. Use a specialist dog shampoo

Then, get a gentle, soap-free dog shampoo and use your fingers to lather and work the shampoo into the coat.

As mentioned, your German Shepherd might have extra sensitive skin, which is why a soap-free shampoo is the best option.

What is the best shampoo for a German Shepherd smell?

If you’re wondering which shampoo German Shepherd owners most often recommend, particularly to help get rid of the smell, it’s Wahl’s 4-in-1 doggy shampoo and conditioner on Amazon. You don’t need to buy a separate conditioner. It also helps to moisturise their skin, and smells great too.

3. Rinse the shampoo away

Rinse the shampoo out and repeat the process as many times as necessary to get all of the dirt out.

4. Use a specialist dog conditioner

Once you’re done with shampooing, get your conditioner specially formulated for dogs (scent-free again to avoid skin issues and allergic reactions for your German Shepherd) and apply it evenly to the coat, brushing it through with a wide-tooth comb.

Give the conditioner no more than two minutes to set and then rinse again thoroughly.

5. Dry your German Shepherd thoroughly

To avoid that nasty wet dog smell, you need to dry your German Shepherd completely. Dry your dog with either a towel or a hairdryer on the lowest setting. If you don’t dry your GSD properly, it will stink after a bath.

Additional German Shepherd bathing and washing tips

Now you know how to bathe a German Shepherd, I wanted to get into a little bit more detail about how you wash some specific parts of their body in the bath or shower.

Cleaning a German Shepherd’s face

When you’re bathing your German Shepherd, it is important to take steps to ensure they don’t get any water or shampoo in their eyes. The dog friendly shampoos are designed not to sting, but I don’t think it’s entirely comfortable.

One way of doing this is by applying protective ophthalmic ointment to your dog’s face before bath time.

To clean your German Shepherd’s face, use a flannel soaked with lukewarm water (no soap!) and gently wipe every nook and cranny of the face. This includes the outside ear flaps and the corners of the eyes to get rid of any stubborn tear stains.

I would do this instead of pouring water on their face – not many dogs like this!

Cleaning a German Shepherd’s ears

Due to the way German Shepherd’s ears stand up, they can get a lot of dirt in them, which unfortunately makes them more prone to infections. To avoid this, a German Shepherd’s ears should be cleaned weekly.

Specially made dog ear-cleaning solution contains ingredients that helps to break down and remove wax, as well as anti-bacterial agents that soothes inflammation and prevents infection.

You should apply this solution to a damp cotton ball and gentle wipe the inside of the ear (use a different cotton ball for each ear in order to prevent spreading infection) and check for any injuries, infection, inflammation or scrapes.

If you notice something unusual, apply antibiotic ointment and go to your vet in order to seek further advice.

Handy Hint: Around the same time you will also be potty training your GSD. Here’s how to do it.

Taking care of your German Shepherd’s toenails

If your German Shepherd’s nails get in the way of their movement, this is a good time to get them cut. You can either do them yourself or take them to a vet or a groomer if you don’t feel confident.

It is important to be careful when you are cutting your German Shepherd’s nails, as inside each nail is what is called the ‘quick’ – which is extremely sensitive pink flesh that holds the blood vessels and the nerves that go into the nails.

If you cut into the quick, this will cause bleeding and extreme pain for your dog. It will also make it incredibly difficult to cut their nails in the future.

To cut your German Shepherd’s nails, use a sterile pair of scissors to avoid infection and gently trim the very ends of the nails off – this might take longer, but it is better to cut off too little than too much.

After cutting the nails, give your German Shepherd a treat so that they have positive associations with the experience.

Caring for a German Shepherd’s coat

German Shepherds have what is called a ‘double coat’, which means that there are two layers of fur. The top layer is thick, waterproof and usually a brown colour, whilst the bottom layer is softer, more sensitive and yet also dense because it acts as an insulator.

It is usually white and is more likely to shed during the winter months. Luckily, despite German Shepherds being long-haired breeds, their coat, despite its complexities, is reasonably easy to care for.

• Brushing: Brush out dirt, prevent shedding and distribute natural oils throughout your German Shepherd by brushing them at least once a week with a bristle brush, a hound grooming glove or or a finer brush if you want to remove excess dirt or hair. Brush your German Shepherd more frequently – up to three times a week – during shedding season.
• Trimming: If you choose to trim them, it is advisable to lightly trim them with electric clippers. You should also pay attention to any fur around the feet or on the pads of the feet that you might want to trim for tidiness.
• Freshening up: To keep your German Shepherd clean between baths, doggy dry shampoo is quick and easy to use – you just need to sprinkle it on your dog and then distribute it with a brush. You can also use a spray-on dog conditioner in order to keep the coat looking shiny.

Conclusion

Although you should always keep in mind the allergies and skin issues that come with owning a German Shepherd, bathing them can be a rewarding bonding experience that helps to keep them squeaky clean, happy, and free from infection!

With any dog, it is important to strike that balance between not enough grooming and too-much grooming. Whilst it is important to ensure your dog is clean, tidy and healthy, over-bathing can cause its own issues, making it ultimately more counterproductive.

You might also like…

Here are some more guides to help you care for your German Shepherd.

• Dealing with the different GSD teething stages
• When your GSD’s hyper behavior will become calmer

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/german-shepherd-shepherd-dog-mind-4546999/

The post How Often Should I Bathe a German Shepherd? + How to Bath & Shower appeared first on DoggySaurus.

I have a very clear memory of when we got our first ever dog. During the puppy months we would find tiny teeth on the floor which would come out as he chewed everything in sight to relieve his sore teeth and gums. This chewing is a huge part of the teething process but is something you can make easier for your German Shepherd puppy to contend with.

Today I want to share everything I have learned about why German Shepherds teethe, at what age they lose their baby or milk teeth, what to expect as an owner, and how to help them… plus ways to stop them chewing your furniture!

My intention is for this to be the only guide you would ever need to read about the dental development of your German Shepherd.

The teething stage of a German Shepherd puppy

First things first; don’t be concerned if you start seeing small blood spots on your German Shepherd’s toys or loose teeth in your carpet. This is completely normal during the teething phases. But when should you expect this to start and then finally stop?

Here’s an overview of the teething stages you can expect to experience with a German Shepherd puppy.

1. German Shepherd puppy baby teeth start coming through – between 2 and 3 weeks old

German Shepherds are born without teeth. German Shepherd puppy milk teeth (aka baby teeth) don’t actually start to push through their gums until around the 14-day point at the earliest.

In terms of the puppy’s overall dental development, the baby teeth coming through do so at the same point that they begin to open their eyes. The 2-week point in their life is a massive time in their growth and becoming the German Shepherds we know and love.

Of course, most German Shepherd owners will never get to see this phase in their dental development stage as German Shepherd puppies should not be leaving their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old.

Here’s the order in which your German Shepherd’s baby teeth will come though:

1. Front teeth (incisors).
2. Canine teeth (at which point they can start on solid foods).
3. Pre-molars (stop coming through after about 6 weeks).

By 8 weeks of age, your German Shepherd should have grown all of its 28 milk teeth.

2. German Shepherd starts teething and growing adult teeth – 12 weeks of age onwards

The next stage of dental development is the teething phase. German Shepherds don’t have their milk teeth for as long as you might think and won’t be long until the adult teeth start to push through.

When do German Shepherds lose their baby teeth?

German Shepherd puppies will lose their baby teeth at around 3 months or 12 weeks old. This the age at which German Shepherds start to teeth as they lose the milk teeth which fall out.

There are 28 baby teeth in total, and surprisingly, 32 adult teeth which will grow through in the place of the milk teeth.

3. German Shepherd puppies stop teething – 7 to 8 months of age

When do German Shepherds stop teething?

German Shepherd puppies will typically stop teething at around 7 to 8 months old. It’s not always this specific, as some German Shepherds will stop the teething phase before this, and possibly even after this age.

4. How long do German Shepherds teethe for – can be as long as 20 to 24 weeks

The majority of German Shepherd puppies will stop teething once they hit 6 months old, but don’t be surprised if it takes longer, it’s not an exact science and can vary from dog to dog.

German Shepherd adult teeth take a lot longer to grow and push through compared to their baby milk teeth. The molars at the back are the ones that are particularly stubborn.

At the very latest, your 8-month-old German Shepherd puppy should have stopped teething. Anything after that age would be unusual, but still not unheard of. Most German Shepherds will now have all 42 adult teeth.

Signs of teething in German Shepherd puppies

As you might have already experienced with your German Shepherd puppy, the first sign of teething is them chewing everything in sight. Here’s all those teething signs in full.

• Small baby teeth: One of the more obvious signs is finding their cute little teeth. They might be on the floor, embedded in a toy, or near a food bowl.
• Blood spots on toys: As German Shepherds teethe, they will chew on their toys to relieve the pain. This can result in blood when baby teethe come out or gums are irritated.
• Lots of drooling: Teething puppies can drool, so expect to see more saliva than usual coming from their mouths.
• Even more chewing: When German Shepherds teethe, they need to relieve the pain and the best way to do this is by chewing. Give them chew toys and keep them away from anything that you value!
• Sore gums: Teething German Shepherds will get inflamed and red gums. They will look really sore, because the larger adult teeth are pushing up through.
• Change in behavior: Your German Shepherd puppy will be in pain from time to time and might even be irritable. Try to distract them with teething toys and lots of attention.
• Mild fever: If you have ever had kids, you will know that they can get a little hot when teething. German Shepherd puppies are the same.
• Misaligned teeth: As the adult teeth come through, they might not always push a baby tooth. Your German Shepherd might have a bit of a redneck look at the two teeth sit together until the milk tooth falls out.

Recommended German Shepherd teething toys

All puppies need something to chew on when new teeth are coming through. They will try to chew your shoes, furniture… pretty much anything. To help them out, give them toys to chew on, but not the soft stuffed ones – those simply won’t cut it.

To help your German Shepherd puppy when teething, instead invest in some teething toys that are hard and durable enough to give their gums relief.

There are two teething toys we used with our own puppy which always worked a treat.

Firstly, there’s the Kong chew toy on Amazon. Not only is a great for German Shepherds to get their teeth around, but you can also put treats inside of it to mentally challenge them as well.

What we also used to do was place ours in the freezer before letting our teething puppy have. That way it was really nice and cold and helped to soothe his sore gums.

My second recommendation is the Nylabone dog chew on Amazon. It’s a fantastic alternative to chews like rawhide, and our dog still has this chew toy 3 years down the line. It’s extremely durable and hard-wearing.

This is how much they will end up chewing it!

How to stop your German Shepherd puppy chewing when teething

Once those milk teeth start to fall out, your German Shepherd puppy will want to get his or her teeth around anything to give much needed pain relief. You might have to hide things, reduce their access to certain rooms, and keep a close eye on them.

It’s a dog’s natural instinct to want to chew during the teething phase, so as owners, it’s our job to help them out. Here’s what you can do.

• Chew proof your home: You might need to install stair gates to restrict access to certain rooms where your prized furniture is located. You might have to move things above their height. Nothing is safe from a teething German Shepherd puppy!
• Give them frozen treats: As well as chew toys, a piece of frozen carrot or an ice cube can really help to soothe their sore gums.
• Keep them exercised: German Shepherds that have energy to burn will chew more than those that are tired out. Give your German Shepherd puppy a couple of walks a day and provide plenty of indoor play time too.
• Keep them entertained: Bored German Shepherds tend to be destructive. Get their toys out to keep them mentally challenged and distracted whilst teething.
• Give them chew toys but not rawhide chews: I’ve already shown you what toys we use. But please don’t let them chew rawhide. It’s dangerous for dogs and can cause choking.

Puppies can cause utter devastation whilst teething. You just need to look at how chewed the corner of our wooden dining room table was during the teething phase.

What other owners say

I am part many different German Shepherd social media groups, and recently asked people about their own experiences with their own puppies and teething.

Here’s a selection of the best responses on how to help teething German Shepherds that chew things:

“Make sure you have lots of chew toys, so your German Shepherd has options and doesn’t get bored. Bored German Shepherds will start chewing your things when they teethe. Mine loves to chew but he’s always been good about only chewing his toys. I’ve always made sure he had many different kinds so he doesn’t get bored with them. Nylabone and Kong Toys are two of my faves.”

“Get lots of rawhide alternatives! Bully sticks and Himalayan cheese sticks are good. Kongs are wonderful too as you can stuff them with banana and peanut butter (make sure it isn’t the kind sweetened with Xylitol) and freeze it! We also use real bones from the meat department at our local store, frozen so they last longer, and our dogs love them.”

“As to teething, freeze your German Shepherd some ice cubes with some meat jelly in them. If your German Shepherd is teething and eats dry food try and soften the biscuits as chewing hard food can be a big turn off put for them as their gums can be quite sensitive.”

“German Shepherd puppies should have a variety of several different texture chew toys. Puppies crave different things at different times and are learning what their teeth can do in addition to the teething that they are going through. Don’t be surprised if you find your puppy chewing on the drywall. it’s all about the texture. I recommend 20 different teething toys and rotate them. Kong’s with treats are great as well.”

“When your German Shepherd is teething put lavender oil on things. They hate the smell and it will stop them chewing your stuff. And give him chews. It is boredom that makes them chew more than anything.”

“We used old tea towels when our German Shepherd was teething. Just put a knot in each end and wet them, then freeze them! He loved it and still just loves playing with tea towels now at nearly 2 years old. Would recommend putting the tea towel in a food bag when freezing.”

Conclusion

At the age your German Shepherd starts to teethe, he or she will suffer with sore gums and the pain of their baby teeth being pushed through. How much pain they are will vary from puppy to puppy – our own dog had quite mild teething pain from what we could tell, but it depends on the dog.

But, almost all of them will chew. You can expect to see little teeth on the floor or stuck into things they have chewed on, plus those little blood spots I mentioned.

During your German Shepherd’s dental development just give them plenty of love, attention, understanding… and chew toys!

At this time of their dental development, your German Shepherd puppy will need your love and support, plenty of chewable toys, patience, and understanding.

You might also like…

If you enjoyed this guide to German Shepherd teething ages and how long it all lasts, then you might also like these other German Shepherd puppy related articles:

• How to curb your GSD’s biting habits
• Why your GSD has a runny nose
• How to potty train a GSD puppy

Image used in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/fg8tdcxrkrA

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