German Shepherd Dogs can make great family pets, but GSD puppies require proper training and at least a partial raw diet. This article provides some basic information on 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 like any other breed of dog. For example, puppies will quickly learn to maintain their business if you put them in a cage rather than allowing them free reign of the entire house. This is due to an instinct your gsd puppy was born with that motivates him to keep his kennel clean. Potty training without a kennel is possible, but the puppy must have free access to his potty spot, and he won’t learn to run his business as quickly. In this article, potty training and crate training are synonymous.
How to potty train a gsd puppy:
- Have a suitable box. If you buy one that is large for the gsd puppy to grow on, 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. go to the bathroom in the box. This is extremely important, because if the puppy’s instincts don’t tell him that the crate is a tight space and that it needs to be kept clean, he can use a corner as a potty spot.
- You should be 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 are at work and cannot do this, you will need a puppy sitter to do it for you. It is imperative that the puppy is never forced to maintain his business until he has no choice but to dirty his den.
- Take the gsd puppy straight outside when you open the box. Don’t delay, play with the dog, 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 at home.
- While you’re outside, say “go to the bathroom” or whatever phrase you want to use. Stick to your phrase and say it to me with love, but with clarity and intention.
- When your pup is doing his thing outside, praise him! Get a little dizzy and take it with enthusiasm. Pet him, kiss him, hug him! Tell him you did a great job with a big smile and then go back inside.
- Once inside, the puppy must have constant access to water.
2. Feeding German Shepherds German Shepherd Dogs are closely related to their ancestors, where they hunt for food and eat primarily meat, intestines, bones, and organs. If a German Shepherd eats kibble for his entire life, he will not 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 puppy will not develop this debilitating affliction.
Feeding a raw diet doesn’t have to be complicated. You can feed raw burgers, chicken with bones, cheap cuts of steak with bones, intestines, hearts, livers, chicken necks and turkey, etc. Find a meat wholesaler that has these types of items as leftovers and sells them as cheaply as possible.
Feed your puppy as much as he can eat in 15 minutes, twice a day. You can feed him high-quality dog food (kibbles) along with his raw food. Don’t feed your gsd pup kibble for free, and especially watch out for corn or wheat kibble anywhere on the ingredient list. German Shepherd Dogs are particularly sensitive to corn and wheat and will likely have some kind of reaction. This is the reason why many German Shepherds become fussy or reluctant to eat and the owners cannot keep enough weight on them. The intestines of German Shepherd dogs are not intended to digest corn or wheat.
If you prefer to feed kibbles just because you can’t wrap your brain in 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, as a good kibble is expensive. You won’t find it at your local department store, I’ve only seen quality dog food on the shelves of pet stores. Ordering it online is a good option.
3. Exercise your gsd DAILY German Shepherd puppies are spirited little tyrants! They should have time to frolic and play every day. If you can’t provide the exercise a pastor requires, don’t buy one.