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The German Shepherd – The Loyal Working Dog and Family Protector Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherd Dogs German Shepherd Dog Terms
 
The German Shepherd – The Loyal Working Dog and Family Protector

The German Shepherd – The Loyal Working Dog and Family Protector

The German shepherd breed was originally developed as a working breed and is well known for its intelligence, courage, devotion and loyalty to its owner. They are often called “Jack of All Trades” because they are very versatile dogs who can perform a variety of different jobs and tasks. [...]

Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherd Dogs

Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherd Dogs

Degenerative Myelopathy of German Shepherd Dogs is caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system of the shepherd. It is a progressive degeneration of the spinal cord that starts in the rear and works its way forward. The disease starts out slowly and gets worse over time. [...]

German Shepherd Dog Terms

German Shepherd Dog Terms

The titles on this page are used by German shepherd dog clubs and show ring organizations to assign categories to the German shepherd and to reward German shepherd owners, breeders and their dogs. [...]

Scared Dog Audio – The Perfect Tool to Remove Phobias to Loud Noises in Dogs

Scared Dog Audio – The Perfect Tool to Remove Phobias to Loud Noises in Dogs

01 January 2012

When your dog shows fear to loud environmental noises such as thunder, fireworks, sirens, gunshots, loud vehicles, vacuums, etc., this is your cue to desensitize your dog or puppy from these sounds. When loud noises unexpectedly startle your dog, your four legged friend may physically react with aggression, chewing, whining, whimpering, barking, submissive urination or avoidance by running away from the noise or trying to hide from it. This is a serious problem, but you can prevent it or correct it by using the Scared Dog Audio program. The Scared Dog Audio program can help your dog overcome fears and phobias [...]

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Dog Obedience Training – Tips to Train Your German Shepherd Dog

Dog Obedience Training – Tips to Train Your German Shepherd Dog

27 December 2011

Dog obedience training can be a daunting task but with a German shepherd dog, it is a fun and rewarding experience.  The German shepherd is a very intelligent breed which makes them easy to train.  The German shepherd is eager to learn new things and thrives when kept active and given a job or a task to do. Training your shepherd will be a growing experience for both of you.  The time spent training your German shepherd is a great way for you to bond with your dog, learn his personality and build a trusting relationship.  Obedience training will give your [...]

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Crate Training Puppies – Teaching Your Pet to Recognize a Routine

Crate Training Puppies – Teaching Your Pet to Recognize a Routine

07 June 2011

Crate training puppies is invaluable tool that can help keep your puppy safe and secure.  Crate training a puppy will also assist and speed up the housebreaking process. There are many tips to help your puppy get accustomed to being in a crate.  Here you will find some suggestion to speed up the process of crate training a puppy. Crate training should be a pleasant experience and never used for punishment.  Crate training is actually more about teaching your puppy they have a space or a “den” of their own. Allowing your dog to routinely spend time in his crate everyday [...]

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German Shepherd Puppies – Facts to Ponder Before Bringing One Home

German Shepherd Puppies – Facts to Ponder Before Bringing One Home

07 June 2011

German shepherd puppies are adorable, fuzzy little creatures that are very tempting to take home on impulse.   There may be no breed of dog more versatile than the German shepherd who can learn nearly anything you attempt to teach them.  German shepherd puppies are cute and cuddly but quickly grow into big, bold, clever and headstrong adults.  To some, the German shepherd is the ideal dog, but is it the right breed for you? Before welcoming a German shepherd puppy into your home there are some important facts to consider.  Getting a puppy of any breed is a long term commitment [...]

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Potty Training a Puppy Needs Patience and Consistency

Potty Training a Puppy Needs Patience and Consistency

07 June 2011

Potty training a puppy is a vital part of living with your pet. Success will come easily from the following three things: 1. Patience 2. Consistency 3. Praise/Reward Remain patient. Your puppy’s undesired behavior of eliminating in the house is ultimately your fault. Teaching your puppy a new behavior will take some time and effort on your part. If accidents happen remain calm and reflect on why/how the accident occurred. Do not scold or punish your puppy if accidents do occur. Remember that the accident is your fault not your puppy’s. [...]

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Puppy Training – Training and Socializing Your German Shepherd Puppy

Puppy Training – Training and Socializing Your German Shepherd Puppy

07 June 2011

Puppy training and socializing your German shepherd is a must to help shape the temperament and character of your young dog.  German shepherd puppies are intelligent, independent dogs and their puppy antics can become challenging to manage if ignored.  It is best to start training and socializing them as soon as possible. The German shepherd is a smart breed that thrives when given a job to do.  Your German shepherd puppy will love the challenge and mental stimulation from basic obedience training.  Remember to keep your training sessions short, fun and positive.  Focus on one training item per session with a [...]

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Pannus In Dogs – Symptoms and Treatment

Pannus In Dogs – Symptoms and Treatment

25 January 2012

Pannus, also called Chronic Superficial Keratitis, is a disease primarily found in the German shepherd breed although Australian shepherds, Border Collies, Dachshunds, Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Pinschers, Poodles, the Rottweiler and others are also reported to suffer from this disease. Pannus is an immune mediated corneal disease that is progressive but is not painful. It is an eye condition that affects a dog’s cornea and can cause blindness if not properly treated. Ultraviolet light, altitude and environment influence the severity of the disease. (Ex: bright sun reflecting off of water or snow.) The disease [...]

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Males Dogs Verses Females Dogs – Which Gender Is Right For You?

Males Dogs Verses Females Dogs – Which Gender Is Right For You?

19 January 2012

So what is the difference between male dogs and female dogs? People often wonder this when thinking about getting a puppy. They are unsure which they should consider getting, a male or female. For every male versus female theory, you can find just as many dogs that prove the opposite.

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The German Shepherd Dog and OFA

The German Shepherd Dog and OFA

13 January 2012

If you are interested in the German shepherd breed you may see the term OFA while browsing websites, pedigrees or talking with breeders. OFA stands for The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.  This organization has several different health tests available to dog owners and breeders.  The most commonly used tests for the German shepherd breed are hip and elbow certifications.  Reputable breeders will x-ray and certify their dogs before they are used for breeding.  The dog must be at least 24 months of age in order for the x-rays to be presented to OFA.  They will evaluate prelim x-rays on dogs younger [...]

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Canine Hip Dysplasia – Facts And Symptoms

Canine Hip Dysplasia – Facts And Symptoms

06 January 2012

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is often a misunderstood crippling disease.  The word dysplasia means improper growth of the canine hip.  Canine Hip Dysplasia literally means improper growth of the canine hip.  This improper growth makes the hip loose and wobbly, leading to increased movement of the hip.  This results in a weakened hip joint that causes painful inflammation and decreased flexibility.  Over time a dog with hip dysplasia may suffer from crippling arthritis and lameness if the disease is left untreated. Canine Hip Dysplasia is a progressive disease.  The levels of severity differ from dog to dog and certain breeds.  Large [...]

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The German Shepherd Dog and Elbow Dysplasia

The German Shepherd Dog and Elbow Dysplasia

01 January 2012

When you think of health problems in the German shepherd breed, most people automatically jump straight to hip dysplasia.  Hip dysplasia is definitely a problem but it is not the only health concern in this breed.  Along with hip dysplasia is elbow dysplasia.  Elbow dysplasia is showing up more often in the German shepherd dog and can be a bigger problem than hip dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia can lead to lameness or abnormal gait and can be extremely debilitating.  There is no  surgical procedure that can significantly alter the progression of the disorder or cure it. The only way to  reduce the [...]

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Gulp! Your Dog Swallowed Something

Gulp! Your Dog Swallowed Something

25 December 2011

You just realized that your dog swallowed something that they should not have.  Now what?  Stay calm and utilize these 5 tips: 1.  Assessment:   Assess the item swallowed and evaluate the seriousness.  Call your vet for help and describe the object, the size, shape and material.  The size of your dog matters – a toy breed that swallows a small object will have a harder time passing it than a Rottweiler. 2.  X-ray’s:  They may be necessary.  An x-ray can pinpoint where the object is and how likely it is to pass. 3.  Diet:  Do not alter your dog’s diet.  If your veterinarian [...]

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Understanding The Canine Good Citizen Certification Exam

Understanding The Canine Good Citizen Certification Exam

10 December 2011

The Canine Good Citizen Test is an exam that was started in 1989 by the American Kennel Club. There are many steps involved in passing this test, but doing so will show that you have a well-trained dog and are a committed owner. In this article we will explore this test in depth, providing some valuable information for anyone who plans to pursue it.

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Dog Scooting – Causes and Solutions

Dog Scooting – Causes and Solutions

05 December 2011

A dog scooting, or dragging their hind end on the carpet, grass, or your favorite rug may be amusing at first glance until you notice the brown trail that may be left behind. Ninety-nine percent of the time, scooting is caused by the anal sacs (sacs not glands) being inflamed, infected, impacted or just “full”.

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