German Shepherds can make excellent family pets, but gsd puppies require proper training and at least a partial raw diet. This article provides basic information about German Shepherds that will help potential new owners decide if the gsd is the right breed for their family.
1. Potty training. In many ways, German Shepherd puppies are just like any other breed of dog. For example, puppies will quickly learn to keep up your business if you crate them instead of allowing them to run free throughout the house. This is due to an instinct his gsd pup was born with that motivates him to keep his kennel clean. Potty training without a kennel is possible, but the pup must have free access to the kennel and it won’t learn to keep up with its business as quickly. In this article, potty training and crate training are the same thing.
How to potty train a gsd puppy:
- Have a suitable box. If you buy one that is large for the gsd pup to grow in, be sure to use the divider or a pillow to take up the excess space so he doesn’t have room to walk away from his business if he were to go potty in the crate. This is very important, because if the puppy’s instincts don’t tell him that the crate is a tight place and should be kept clean, he may use a corner as a place to go potty.
- It should be kept comfortable with something to play and chew on, but no food or water.
- Let your puppy out of his crate every two hours for the first two weeks. If you’re at work and can’t do this, you’ll need a puppy sitter to do it for you. It is imperative that the pup is never forced to maintain his business until he has no choice but to dirty his den.
- Take the gsd pup right outside when you open the box. Don’t delay, play with the dog, don’t answer a phone call or stop to read an email. It is very important that the dog is taken directly outside so that there is little chance of an accident in the house.
- While you’re outside, say “go potty” or whatever phrase you want to use. Stick to your phrase and say it lovingly but clearly and with intention.
- When your pup eliminates outside, praise him! Get a little giddy and take it to the top with excitement. Pet him, kiss him, hug him! Tell him he did a great job with a big smile and then go back inside.
- Once inside the pup should have constant access to water.
two. feeding german shepherds German Shepherd Dogs are closely related to their ancestors, where they hunt for their food, eating primarily meat, intestines, bones, and organs. If a German Shepherd is fed kibble his entire life, he won’t get the nutrition he needs for his bones and joints. German shepherds are especially prone to hip dysplasia, but feeding at least a partial raw diet can greatly increase the chances that your gsd pup won’t develop this debilitating affliction.
Feeding a raw diet doesn’t have to be complicated. You can feed raw hamburgers, bone-in chicken, cheap cuts of bone-in steak, intestines, hearts, livers, chicken and turkey necks, etc. Find a meat wholesaler that has these types of items as surplus and sell them to you at the lowest possible cost.
Feed your pup as much as he can eat in 15 minutes, twice a day. You can give him high-quality dog food (kibble) along with his raw food. Do not free-feed your gsd pup kibble, and especially be careful with kibble with corn or wheat anywhere on the ingredient list. German Shepherds are particularly sensitive to corn and wheat and will likely have some type of reaction. This is the reason why many German Shepherds become fussy or reluctant eaters and owners are unable to keep enough weight on them. The intestines of German Shepherd dogs are not meant to digest corn or wheat.
If you prefer to feed kibble alone because you can’t wrap your brain around the raw diet, look for dog food that is corn and wheat free. This will cost more than the cost of cheap cuts of meat, since a good kibble is expensive. You won’t find it at your local department store, I’ve only seen quality dog food on pet store shelves. Ordering it online is a good option.
3. Exercise your gsd DAILY German Shepherd puppies are energetic little bullies! They should have time to frolic and play every day. If you can’t provide the exercise a shepherd requires, don’t buy one.
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