Well suited to their traditional roles as guard dogs, German Shepherds are large, athletic animals. They have a wolfish look with long muzzles and erect ears. In addition to their physical prowess, Shepherds are extremely intelligent and independent dogs who respond very well to training. These are the qualities that have earned them leading roles among working dogs. In police and military work as well as search and rescue and as guides for the blind, German Shepherds have gained a well deserved reputation as able partners and loyal companions.
German Shepherds are definitely not naturally aggressive as a breed. It is a sad fact that many have ended up as frustrated and aggressive as the result of poorly informed owners who may have gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons in the first place and then been completely unprepared to deal with the situation. The reputation of a fierce and ferocious creature is a figment of Hollywood hype. Because of their size and physical prowess a Shepherd can be an imposing animal but with proper handling and good training he makes a wonderful pet and companion.
So why so some Shepherds become biters? The life they have been bred for makes a German Shepherd a poor candidate for long periods of inactivity and solitude. They need lots of exercise and constant challenges for their intelligent and active minds. The very qualities that allow them to excel as working dogs make them become frustrated and bored as house pets who get minimal attention and have little or nothing to occupy their mental and physical energy. Living in confined spaces with little exercise is a formula for creating an unhappy and discontented dog. The next logical stage is expressing these emotions through aggression and/or destructive behaviors.
What do you to prevent or correct the situation? The most important thing is exercise and lots of it. In addition to a vigorous work out everyday, a Shepherd will benefit from the opportunity to explore new areas and take in new sights. Don't restrict your time to a single area but try to find several different places you can rotate between.
Remember that your dog is very intelligent and gets bored just as you do. He needs more than a gentle stroll. Take him biking or rollerblading if you can or play fetching games to give him a chance to run and jump. Obedience and agility work or taking part in the Schutzhund activities which are a combination of tracking, protection and obedience will provide exercise as well as giving him something to think about. Spend plenty of time with your dog at home. He's extremely quick to learn tricks and games that not only help challenge his mind but build a stronger bond between you.
Because of his breeding as a guard dog, a Shepherd is naturally suspicious of strangers. The importance of early and ongoing socialization can't be over stressed. Take him to puppy school as soon as he's vaccinated and get him started learning how to get along with others. The period between ten and sixteen weeks is key but he will always benefit from lots of interaction with other dogs and humans from his earliest days and throughout his life. Classes bring together lots of puppies in a positive, controlled situation. This early training is a good preventative for timidity and/or aggression as he grows older.
Shepherds are wonderfully intelligent and loyal dogs in the correct hands. If you feel you're seeing developing problems of aggression in your dog and are at all tentative as to what action to take, please seek the help of a professional trainer. Just as a well socialized and trained dog is a joy to be around, one without these characteristics can be a real danger. Ask for help if you need it. Don't wait until you have a big problem. If you're unsure about the upbringing of your puppy get advice from an expert early on.. You and your dog will be better off. Very important to stop your biting German Shepherd early on.
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They have a wolfish look with long muzzles and erect ears. In addition to their physical prowess, Shepherds are extremely intelligent and independent dogs who respond very well to training. These are the qualities that have earned them leading roles among working dogs. In police and military work as well as search and rescue and as guides for the blind, German Shepherds have gained a well deserved reputation as able partners and loyal companions.
