Summer is around the corner….it’s time to get your shepherd in hand so you can have your best walking year ever! German Shepherd Handbook
photo credit: Tjardick

Is a German Shepherd right for you? How will you know unless you read the owner’s manual? Too many pets are brought back to animal shelters or worse, because of inexperience owners. Not just these type of dogs, but any pet. You need to know as much about that breed before you take them home.

A former co-worker of mine decided to get a dog for their oldest son. Neither he nor his wife had ever owned a pet before. They were inexperience. After a month went by, I asked about their dog. My co-worker replied, “We brought him to the Human Society a couple of weeks ago. He was shedding too much and we were tired of vacuuming.”

If he had read the owner’s manual first, would they have brought that poor dog into their home to begin with? If they had done their research, my co-worker would have had an idea on if a pet of any kind was right for them.

None of my pets came with an owner’s manual. There were times that I wish they did. Even so, we have taken the time to research and train ourselves so that we can understand and be better pet owners.

How would you like to learn the secrets of having the healthiest and happiest canine possible without having to pay for an expensive training course?

Debbie Ray is the author of “Your Total German Shepherd Dog, A Pet Owner’s Guide” and she has over 35 years of experience raising German Shepherds. She has raised them from puppies to senior citizens. Debbie’s past experiences with her own dogs has given her an insight into this type of breed that few people have and she would like to share her knowledge with you. This 195 page book is very through and it answers just about any questions that you might have about your dog. Being a German Shepherd owner myself, I have learned so much from this ebook and Debbie offers.

Are you familiar with the health issues of this type of breed?

All breeds are known for their distinct health issues. No pet is maintenance free!
Here is a list of the Health problems of this type of dog. That does not mean your Shepherd will have these problems and it isn’t to discourage you from owning this beautiful dog. This is to make you aware of the potential problems before you bring home that cute little puppy.

1. Abnormal development of the hip joint.
2. Elbow Dysplasia: Improper development of the three bones making up the elbow. The joint is loose.
3. Panosteitis: A bone disease that can last as long as 18 months, that causes pain. Aspirin can be helpful in controlling the pain.
4. Von Willebrand’s Disease: is a blood disorder, a deficiency in clotting factor.
5. Progressive posterior paresis: is a neural condition, a paralysis of one or both hind legs.
6. Bacterial infections an skin allergies.
7. Abnormal growth of tissue or tumor.
8. Inflammation of the cornea and is potentially blinding.
9. Abnormal openings around the dog’s anal area which soon get badly infected and can be painful.
10. Disease of the heart muscle.

The best way to keep your dog healthy is to find a reputable breeder. Or if you are looking into a rescue shelter, find out if they have up to date information on the dog. And always keep regular scheduled visits with your veterinarian.

To read more about this go to

http://www.squidoo.com/know-your-GSD?

Wow, it’s just so amazing here because we are having a whole week of sunshine and warmth, like about 15 degrees (celsius) above the norm for this time of year.  What an Easter weekend this will be.

And, that brings me to one of my passions…TRAIN YOUR SHEPHERD

I see so many beautiful, majestic shepherds being walked, but, the owner has no control over their powerful dog.  It’s possible to walk your dog in the neighbourhood, or through the park and have it behave.  Your summer can be so much better with a well behaved shepherd, so, go for it, it’s really not hard!

Chapter 6: of the German Shepherd Handbook (And much much more)
Training Your German Shepherd Dog
# How often should you take your dog outside? And when exactly? Trust me, it’s never a pleasant experience when your dog decides to do his “business” inside your house (See pages 33-34)

# Top training tips made specifically for your German Shepherd Dog! (Read it all on pages 33-48)

photo credit: 111 Emergency

Summer is around the corner. It is starting to lift the heaviness of winter off my shoulders.

Somehow, the head is higher, the steps are lighter, and the breathing is deeper with the warming of the temperature, and the stronger rays of the sun.

I mean when I walk my two dogs now, (and even they are prancing in the sunshine) I hear the birds chirping. I thank God for the wonderful changing of the season. And with summer comes a certain newness, a certain feeling that success is attainable, it’s around the corner.

And, if you are the proud owner of a German Shepherd, and you love this guy so much, but, he is a little, or a lot, unruly and may do his own thing, then it’s time to start your project:

You CAN have a well behaved dog this summer. You can go for walks, even if other dogs are around! You can walk your dog in peace…so come on over and check out the
German Shepherd Handbook and have yourself a great summer with your precious canine!

An excerpt from Dr Jane Bicks…HealthyPetNewsletter

Many of us agree that we should do everything within our power to make sure that our companion animals enjoy the best possible life. But did you know that simply by playing a role in your life, your furry kids could actually help you to be not only happier but healthier?

Of course you did. It’s all part of the privilege and fun of being a pet parent. What you may not know is that there’s plenty of science to back it up. As a holistic veterinarian, I’ve read so many reports regarding the health benefits associated with having companion animals, which has been accumulated over the last two decades, including numerous research studies in the U.S. and across the globe.

A study published in The British Journal of Health Psychology reports that people who have companion animals tended to be healthier than those who did not. Additionally, when a dog was part of the family, the human family members had fewer minor ailments, lower blood pressures and lower cholesterol levels. Although the explanation for these advantages is unclear, these researchers guessed that all benefits might be accounted for by reduced stress levels. In these cases, lower stress levels might have been due to increased physical activity (like walking the dog) and levels of social interaction (hanging out with other pet-friendly folks).

An Obedient – Behaved German Shepherd Will Be Your Friend For Life,
Don’t Deny Him This Opportunity…Start Training Today, No Matter
What Age Your Precisous Dog Is!

The positive effects of having a canine companion have also been published in the prestigious American Journal of Cardiology. A recent year-long study looked at the effect of having a canine companion in 369 patients who had previously suffered an acute heart attack. The positive effects were nothing short of extraordinary! The patients who had a dog in the home had a much better chance of long-term survival. Over 7% of patients without a dog died during the study, compared with only 1% of those who had a canine companion. Even though these seem like small percentages, the difference between these groups is enormously significant.

Researchers at the University of Leicester found that when pets are in a household, children six years and younger develop social skills at an accelerated rate. Additionally, these children tend to have better coordination, improved confidence, superior communication skills and are even less likely to have allergies!

The British Medical Journal concluded that companion animals serve a vital need for socialization, especially for people at a higher risk for isolation, like those who suffer from physical limitations that might prevent them from interacting socially. Most medical professionals agree that the broader the network of social contacts, the better we are able to deal with the difficult times in life. This study, and others like it, supports the idea that this need for social relations can be fulfilled equally well by companion animals as with people.

These and many other studies reinforce what we as pet parents have suspected all along … that our beloved four-footed companions play huge roles in our health and happiness as members of our families.

And now I’m going to go spend some valuable time with my wonderful, loving pets. Because, who couldn’t use a good dose of health and happiness, right?”

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for your dear companions,
Dr. Jane

photo credit: SamTheShepherd88

“This Information-Packed Book Will Be Your Complete ‘Bible’ To Choosing, Understanding, Training & Caring For Your German Shepherd – You’ll Learn How To Get That ‘Best Friend’ Relationship With Your German Shepherd, That Most Dog Owners Can Only Dream Of Having”

The German Shepherd breed was developed over 100 years ago, as the name suggests, for herding sheep. That activity is less common in the world today, but the basic skills are still much in demand.

GSDs, as they’re sometimes known, will patrol a border for hours, keeping strangers at bay and protecting those within. Seeing some dogs roam back and forth along a fence would suggest a mental problem, or at least a high level of frustration. But German Shepherds enjoy routine, never tire of doing their jobs and thrive when they have a role that keeps them active.
Their training should work with that nature, not against it. While German Shepherds can be content to sit and stay for long periods, a certain amount of activity keeps them mentally and physically healthy.

Start young.

At around three months, a German Shepherd is ready to begin more than just ‘sit, stay, heel’ though those should be part of the routine. Start slowly, keeping in mind that their bones are still developing. Still, early obstacle course training can begin at that time. Learning to navigate through barriers, and finding a desired object at the end, isn’t just for police dogs. It can keep even a household companion alert and satisfied.

Take care not to stress their hindquarters and joints excessively, however. The dog should be chosen from a line that lacks Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, but the condition is possible even when undetected in ancestors. Look for any sign of weakness in running and jumping, which will sometimes manifest itself as early as six months of age.

As your German Shepherd matures, they can take on more strenuous tasks. At 6-8 months, they are not far from entering their ‘early teen years’. Their minds and bodies have developed to the point that more complex routines and active tasks are possible.

A mile-long gentle run, a short hike up hills, or a 10 minute game of Frisbee are good exercise for your dog by this time. At the same time, you can begin to train their minds for taking on more complicated jobs. Even non-working dogs do well when their minds are stimulated. Training them to fetch a newspaper, locate and return a favorite toy or open a door can start now.

By the time your German Shepherd reaches 18 months to 2 years of age, they are mature enough to take on any training regimen. The actual training will take weeks or months depending on the ultimate goal and continues for years. But they can do just about anything you ask by now. Many drug sniffing dogs, guard dogs, guide for the blind dogs and others with regular jobs are at work by this age.

Work with your German Shepherd every day, for at least an hour if you can. They learn quickly, but even the best of breeds needs regular reinforcement, especially at the younger age periods.

photo credit: SamTheShepherd88

What a beautiful animal!

If you have a German Shepherd,  if you received a puppy for Christmas, either way, this German Shepherd Handbook can benefit you tremendously.

Socialization involves getting your dog familiar and comfortable with other dogs, pets and people in their environment. As natural pack animals it’s often easy to do, and sometimes even harder to keep them from interacting at inappropriate times. For the sake of having a balanced dog, you really do need to socialize!

Most dogs benefit from socialization. The people around them do too. But German Shepherds and a few other breeds are special cases. They’re often asked to perform special roles, such as police or guard dog, guide dog and other jobs. That means that socialization, while still useful, needs to be carried out much more carefully.

Dogs that aren’t exposed to others early in life in non-threatening circumstances, even German Shepherds, can become fearful and/or aggressive. They may be comfortable with their owners and immediate family or friends. But they can react with mistrust, and hence become violent, when strangers approach. That’s not a healthy situation, even for guard dogs.

Even when the German Shepherd is just a family pet, it needs to be socialized correctly. Strangers will come to the house who have legitimate business. Having to lock up the dog every time one does is a burden.

German Shepherds need to be able to differentiate friend from foe. A dog that leapt at an authorized visitor would be worse than useless. They’d be a legal liability. Socialization, in that case, gets mixed with training to allow a stranger to approach given the right signal. A poorly trained dog can fail in that task and be a danger to others where they shouldn’t be.

On the other hand, those dogs that do have special roles shouldn’t be encouraged to be friendly with everyone automatically. German Shepherds are particularly well suited for those jobs precisely because of their tendency to be wary, to make distinctions between known friend and stranger.

Guard dogs are a clear instance where such an attitude is essential. But there are many other jobs where it’s necessary, as well. A guide for the blind wouldn’t be performing properly if it greeted others while leading. Incorrect socialization would lead, in this case, to a dog that was too easily distracted. That would put its owner in jeopardy, or at least make the dog ineffective for its role.

All socialization, as with any other form of training or learning, should begin early in life. Provide the dog with clear, consistent signals to follow. Develop a hand sign and a vocal command that allows them to follow your cue about who is a friend and who needs to be watched.

Look for signs that your German Shepherd is becoming too aggressive, or acting in a threatening way in the wrong circumstances. A badly trained Shepherd doesn’t just become a risk to others, but also can become a little paranoid. That makes for an unhappy dog. And, hence, an unhappy owner.

German Shepherd Handbook