German Shepherds are known for their devotion to their owners. They are faithful, loyal dogs. There are countless stories of German Shepherds rescuing their owners from dangerous situations. The bond between these owners and their dogs is impressive, but how do you bond with a German Shepherd?
Create a bond with your German Shepherd starting when it is a puppy. Make sure you are the one to feed your puppy and take care of it. Spending time with your dog. Use positive reinforcement training techniques to teach your dog obedience and tricks, and dog sports.
German Shepherds were initially sheepherders. The best sheepherders bond strongly to the shepherd and the flock of sheep. They tend to be one-person dogs, although they will attach to all family members to some degree. A German Shepherd is genetically programmed to bond with you, so you have an advantage in creating a bond with this breed. It is, however, a breed that has specific requirements and needs. Fulfilling these requirements will help you bond with your German Shepherd.
Start Bonding With Your German Shepherd Puppy
Your opportunity to begin bonding with your German Shepherd begins on the day you bring the puppy home. Sometimes in a family situation, it is one specific family member’s chore to feed the dogs. If you want the German Shepherd puppy to bond with you, ensure you feed the puppy and take care of his needs almost all of the time. Obviously, if you are not home, the puppy must still be fed but try as hard as possible to complete these tasks yourself. If you can do this for the first six months of the pup’s life, it won’t matter too much after that who feeds the dog.
Some people rescue German Shepherds when they are adults and feel they cannot bond because they missed out on the puppy phase. This is not necessarily true. You can still form a connection with the rescue dog by personally feeding and walking the dog consistently for the first few months.
German Shepherds Want To Be By Your Side
German Shepherds are dogs that want to be with you constantly. If you are sweeping the floor, cooking dinner, or digging in the garden, he will want to be there by your side. As a young dog, he will probably drive you crazy with all his antics and his attempts to have his nose or paw in everything you do. Develop a sense of humor, and you will enjoy his company even when it makes tasks take a bit longer.
German Shepherds do not want to be left for hours by themselves. They prefer to be with their owner as much as possible. The best owner for a German Shepherd is home a lot, works from home, or can take the dog with them to work. Some German Shepherds are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. It is important to establish your dog as a well-balanced dog that can cope when you are away. If you cannot spend large amounts of time with your German Shepherd, think twice before purchasing or adopting one.
Where Should My German Shepherd Sleep?
Your German Shepherd would answer this question by saying “in your bedroom” if he could speak. Remember, he wants to be by your side. A German Shepherd in your bedroom is undoubtedly a deterrent to potential intruders. They are also able to intervene and help you if something goes wrong. If, for some reason, your dog can’t sleep in your bedroom, ensure that he has a comfortable, safe place to sleep and establish a firm routine as a puppy so that he knows you are coming back and have not abandoned him.
Use the same words each night – such as “Goodnight” or “Bedtime” if he sleeps away from you. Let the German Shepherd out as soon as you get up in the morning. The routine helps the dog to understand that he can rely on you and you are coming back. Trust is established, strengthening the bond between you and your dog. You can use a similar technique if you have to go out during the day. Put him in the place he will stay while you are out. Give the signal words to tell him you are leaving. Providing the dog some toys as a distraction will help ease anxiety while he is not with you.
German Shepherds Enjoy Working
German Shepherds were explicitly developed as working dogs. Their keen minds are made for carrying out a job or working out puzzles and problems. The ‘job’ does not need to be as a specific working dog, but it could include dog sports such as dog agility or flyball. Obedience training, scenting, and tracking will also challenge the busy German Shepherd’s mind.
You can also teach your dog to complete ‘chores’ at home, such as fetch your slippers or newspaper. He could also learn tricks such as rolling over, barking on command, and giving his right or left paw on command. You can train your dog to complete tricks. Brain games are also beneficial and will help stimulate your dog, these games can be simple, and cheap ways to stimulate and entertain your German Shepherd Dog.
Use Kind Training Methods
In the past, many dog trainers and owners used harsh, punitive training methods. These methods have been shown to discourage dogs and destroy any bond that might have existed between the owner and the dog. German Shepherds were bred to be protective dogs, but that means that they must be capable of aggression. Unfortunately, harsh training methods can result in a dog that directs that aggression towards the owner and people in general. In other dogs, these training methods cause the dog to shut down.
Kind training methods such as positive reinforcement have been shown to produce happier dogs with a better relationship with their owners. They are more emotionally stable, predictable, and will learn quicker.
Play With Your German Shepherd
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) play to engage socially with humans. The more a dog and owner play with each other, the stronger the bond between them. Playing with your adult dog is just as important as playing with a young dog. You can play various games, including fetch, tug-of-war, catching a frisbee, or scenting games.
Dogs have preferences for specific games, and you will discover that your dog will have favorite games. It is a good idea to add new games periodically to challenge your German Shepherd’s intellect. Some games, such as teaching your dog to swim, can have multiple benefits. Not only does it strengthen your bond, but it helps keep the dog fit and healthy.
Final Thoughts
Bonding with your German Shepherd Dog is not difficult. His genetic predisposition makes him want to bond with you. There most essential element in bonding with your dog is spending as much time as possible with the dog. This includes feeding your dog, walking, and playing with your dog. German Shepherds are intelligent dogs that thrive when they are challenged mentally. Always treat your dog kindly, and this includes using humane training techniques such as positive reinforcement.