December 23, 2007
German Shepherd Training Information in an easy, no-nonsense approach.
Well, let me start off right now with this disclaimer: I’m not a professional trainer! I’m just a dog owner who happens to find training dogs to be very interesting, fulfilling, as well as beneficial to the dog.
What you’ll find here is my experiences “Training a Working Dog for Dummies”. I’m going to chronicle my German Shepherd Training Information of my GSD’s, who’ve included the previous and current dogs, Sable, Schatzie, and Zero – and so I invite you to come on in and join the ride. I’ve also been training at local Schutzhund clubs.
If you’re looking for information on the different colors of GSDs, check out the latest page on that. Or how about checking out our great articles on dog health and diet issues, as well as training your puppy and older dog. And by the way, does your dog jump from high place like beds? If so, then look into steps for dogs at HelpYourPets.com. And if you’d like to leave a comment for us, simply click on the Comment >> link below all the pages and posts.
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September 2, 2010
photo credit: pwcorgigirlHave you ever been somewhere with your dog, who was off leash, and suddenly a squirrel (or rabbit/kid/car…fill in YOUR distraction) runs by, and you find yourself yelling at your dog to, “come back!!!” Well, one of the greatest and most important commands to train your dog on is the “HIER!” (pronounced: ‘Hee-aaw’; German for “come here!”. You can read more on German dog training commands on this page here.)
I know plenty of dog owners who have a really good recall trained on their dogs, but the key in any command is the ability of the dog to obey under heavy distractions. Calling your dog to come to you in your house is one thing, but how well does he listen to you outside? Or how about outside with allot of distractions, like running kids, cars passing by, and that pesky squirrel that bolts right in front of your dog?
What I do to train an outside recall is to use a long-line, about 25 feet, attached to my dogs collar. Once the recall is solid (like it is INSIDE the house), then I add small distractions. Once the dog I’m training is good with that, I gradually increase the level of distraction, until it is seemingly overwhelming to the dog. And once obedience is solid – 100%, then and only then, I will allow my dogs off leash in public. Why? Well, for one thing, many people are terrified at a 100 lbs German Shepherd running full bore around them, and will call the police to report a “crazed, mad dog running loose in their neighborhood”. And secondly, I would hate to loose my best friend (yes, my dog is my best friend, isn’t your dog your best friend?) to a passing car as he runs into the street, ignoring my call.
photo credit: cwgoodroe
So please, please, please – follow the steps above before you allow your dogs off leash. Your dog will be a better citizen for it!
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June 15, 2010
My dogs are indoor dogs, and as such, they tend to sleep anywhere they like. However, I’ve noticed that their favorite place to sleep is on my bed. But once I lay down, they jump off and sleep on the floor next to me. So I’ve been thinking…because I want to make my dogs feel secure and at home while sleeping, having a place to retreat to when they rest, I want to get them their own dog beds. Something as comfortable as my bed, while being able to fit in my room – but being large dog beds so they can be comfortable and not cramped.
So I’ve asked around, and been on a hunt, for that perfect bed for Schatzie (my female German Shepherd) and have found Mammoth Dog Beds. They have an extra large dog bed that is perfect for her. Since their large dog bed is made for 51lbs to 100lbs, and is itself 44′ wide by 36” long, she will be able to have tons of room on it. Like I’ve said, I’ve checked into other “beds”, but this one from Mammoth has a removable cover that can be washed, and is made of “industrial strength” canvas. Oh yeah, it’s also stain resistant and antibacterial! What I really like about it is the inner pillow, because I can take it out and use it for Schatzie as a travel pet bed. And guess what? It’s made from, “Cordura Premium grade ‘virgin high memory’ upholstery fiber fill” – wow, sounds like something I want to sleep on!
I have a friend who has a Bull Mastiff, which weighs 140lbs, and I’ve checked the Mammoth website – and their extra large dog bed holds a 100lbs dog – up to 200lbs. Wow, that’s a big dog! That is 55” by 42” – even more room for his dog to feel comfortable on. All their beds have what they call an Easy Velcro system, and a “cozy ring” (gotta love the way they name their stuff!) – kinda like a pillow for their heads.
So Schatzie is going to love her new bed, and since Mammoth Dog Beds have been around since 1995 – and their beds are vet recommended, I’m going to love it too.
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April 13, 2010
Did you know that having a fully Protection Trained/Schutzhund Trained German Shepherd Dog could be a liability? Now, I’m not knocking them, as all of you know that I LIVE for my dogs training in the “art” of PPT/Schutzhund. But that particular style of training is not for everyone! Seriously…
photo credit: Les DeFoor
So with that said, let’s ask each other a few questions if you are contemplating the training of your large breed dog in this area, ok? Ok!
Can I trust a dog trained in protection with my family?
This is a great question. And to qualify it, let me first state that any dog can be a danger to a family. As a matter of fact, did you know that getting bit by a dog is the 5th most common reason for taking your child to an emergency room? And the majority of bites – 77% – are from dogs owned by the person’s own family, or that of a family friend!
But why the German Shepherd?
So then, what about our breed? What about the German Shepherds keen abilities – bred into them? Here’s a snip from http://www.k9pups.com/site/657261/page/356580:
Captain Max von Stephanitz, a young German cavalry officer, decided to develop a national breed of shepherd dogs. Max von Stephanitz was a very educated man, fond of shepherd dogs and appreciated very high their working abilities. He is known as the father of the breed. April 3, 1899 is considered to be the birthday of The German Shepherd Dog
From the inception of the breed, guardianship & protection have been mastered within them to the point it is now. And that’s why k9 units are using the Shepherd (of course, along with Belgium Malinois and Rotts) on their forces, not to mention the military of just about every super power in the world!
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March 4, 2010
I have been told that my father doesn’t have long to live. My aunt has informed us that we need to go see him asap, before it’s too late. And to make matters worse I will need to get a passport, as he lives in Mexico, and it is now required to have one before coming back to The States. The whole process takes 4 to 6 weeks to get one, but I can expedite it to just 2 to 3 weeks for an additional $65.
Anyway, I just wanted to vent a little bit, so sorry to all you dog lovers who read this blog for my dog training tips, and found this post. But if you are a praying person, please pray for my two sisters and the rest of my family. And while I’m asking for prayer, please pray for my finances so I can purchase my passport & pay the expedite fee – and not loose my house or have my lights turned off.
My Dad
My father is 84 years old. He is an awesome man, who came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1938, at 16 years old – by himself! He lived the rest of his life in California, married a beautiful women, and had us beautiful kids (I laughed at that one). He retired in 1989 and moved back to Mexico with my mother (My mom passed away years ago).
I know that as a teenager I was not respectful to him, for which I am so regretful for. As an adult with my own family (well, families because I’ve been married more than once) I do believe that I have had a much better relationship with him. From the many things I have learned from my dad, the many things he has taught me, the one thing I have most learned, been taught, have in common with him is…our mistakes. Yup. For all the “crazy, messed up, ridiculously bad” decisions/mistakes he has made in his life – I cannot judge him. I’ve made my share of those too.
So dad, for all the bad crap you have accomplished in your life that affected my mother, my sisters and I – I honestly forgive you. And for all the bad crap you’ve done that I don’t even know about – I totally and honestly forgive you for those things too. I really, really love you dad! And I can’t wait to tell you that in person in a few weeks. Damn wait for the passport!
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February 22, 2010
photo credit: terriHOOOHello All,
Our raw diet article tentatively titled, “BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)”, will be out today this week this month very soon. And in that theme, I recently received this question about the amount of feeding goes into a raw diet for a 16 month old German Shepherd, owned by John. Here’s John’s question (permission given to reprint):
QUESTION
I have a 16 month old GSD. He is on a raw meat diet. He currently weighs 80 pounds. I’m not sure how much I should feed him. Any recommendations? He has been having problems going poop. He seems to be constipated.
MY ANSWER
Hello John,
Your boy, at 80 lbs, should be eating 2.4 lbs of raw food to maintain that weight. I get that because typically, you want to feed 2-3% of their optimal body weight. So I took his weight and multiplied that by 16 to get his total weight in ounces, then multiply how much he weighs in ounces by .03 (for 3%). That is the total amount of raw in ounces to feed him per day, but then I multiplied THAT by 16 to get pounds.
But I do have a few questions for you 
One question is, how are you feeding a raw diet without knowing amounts per day to feed? And, what exactly is being fed? Are you incorporating a good percentage of bones (the good ones, not “recreational” bones), along with muscle meat? Are you feeding chicken or beef, or both?
photo credit: Scott Hammond
You are giving your boy the best diet in the world for a dog, so I don’t want to seem like I’m asking these questions arrogantly. But, once you a raw diet “down” – your dogs gonna (going to) be extremely healthy.
As far as being constipated, it could result in exactly what is being fed, so please reply asap.
Please look for our article on a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet soon, but in the meantime, feel free to read our other
questions and answers here (you know you want to click on that link!).
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December 11, 2009
So you went out an got yourself a new puppy! Congratulations! He’ll be the perfect addition to your home and family! He’s going to adjust perfectly fine, never to chew anything he shouldn’t. As a matter of fact, on the second day that you bring him home, he’ll already be sitting, staying, fetching, and shaking paws – all on your command! And if that were not perfect enough, he will never ever do the following:
- Chew your shoes
- Bark uncontrollably
- Pee in the house
- Dig holes in the backyard
- Use you as his own personal chew toy!
photo credit: cwgoodroe
Hum…yeah…if that were the case, I think we’d all drop dead of heart attacks! Why? Because that’s not reality! Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that bringing a new puppy into our homes will require tons of patience, forgiveness, tons of patience, training, love, and did I mention tons of patience?
You see, puppy training is more of an art form than techniques learned from books or your nice next door neighbor. Simply reading a book on how to house train your new dog will not teach you to have patience, or even forgiveness. And that’s the key to a successful owner/canine relationship – it all comes down to love…
I brought my puppy home from her breeder 16 months ago. I began kennel training her, tethered her to my belt loop while indoors, and more – basically to show her the ropes of “life with me“. But what she showed me was so much more. She showed (and still does!) me unconditional love, forgiveness, patience, and joy.
So remember that your new puppy will not be perfect, and it’s going to take patience and love on your part to train her and make her a true part of your pack.
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December 10, 2009
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November 28, 2009
So it seems 2009 is fast coming to an end. And what a friggin’ CRAZY year it’s been! My marriage fell apart, got divorced, then became BEST friends with that same ex-wife. Go figure!
Anyway, I wanted to get a bit personal and talk about what I’ve been doing – or NOT doing, with my dogs. To be honest, I have not done any Schutzhund training with any of them this whole year. Basic obedience, yes, but nothing more than that. Poor dogs! But even though life got hecka crazy – and now is finally stable – my dogs are gonna be a prime focus in 2010.
So I’m now living life like I never have before – no longer worried about the past that haunted me. No longer worried about what people think of my choices. No longer worried about judgmental but “well meaning” “friends” who couldn’t see me through my past. So I’m doing – THANK YOU JESUS – great!!!
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November 6, 2009
photo credit: blahmni
Our deepest prayers go out to our military and their families during this tragedy. Please join with us in praying for peace and strength for those who lost loved ones. Also, let’s stand strong with our military!!!
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