German Shepherd And City Living

[Alfie02]

Hello =)

I am asking this question for a friend of mine who is wanting to add a German Shepherd puppy to her family. When she told me I was a little bit concerned as I know that German Shepherds are very intelligent and active. I know that she will be a great owner as she has owned other very loved dogs before. She wanted to know what sort of attention a German Shepherd living in the suburbs would need in reguards to walking time and how long they can be left alone (as an adolescent and an adult)? (after a walk so the dog is tired and with toys like kongs).

Thank you =)

PS. I have posted a question in this same forum about labrador breeders if anyone wanted to give me their opinion =)

[Gilypoo]

Hello =)

I am asking this question for a friend of mine who is wanting to add a German Shepherd puppy to her family. When she told me I was a little bit concerned as I know that German Shepherds are very intelligent and active. I know that she will be a great owner as she has owned other very loved dogs before. She wanted to know what sort of attention a German Shepherd living in the suburbs would need in reguards to walking time and how long they can be left alone (as an adolescent and an adult)? (after a walk so the dog is tired and with toys like kongs).

Thank you =)

PS. I have posted a question in this same forum about labrador breeders if anyone wanted to give me their opinion =)

How big is there property?

Are there other dogs in the house?

What are there work hours like?

Any young kids/ kids?

Just trying to get all the background info..

[KristenLovesLabs]

I have 2 labs, and they're pretty demanding but so worth it.

We walk ours for 45 minutes to an hour in the mornings. They're then left all day by themselves, from about 8am until 3pm or so when my daughter gets home. I try to put things around the yard that keeps them occupied. Kongs filled with frozen treats are great (except Henry destroys them). I also make icy treats, I use water flavoured with chicken stock and freeze a layer with a couple of cheese pieces in it, a layer with some kibble, and a layer with some steamed carrots and then freeze it and give it to them in the icecream containers in the morning. They're generally happy to chew on that for a while. I also hide some treats around the yard, so they go searching.

The walk is the most important thing tho, it tires them out and they mostly sleep all day.

In the afternoon we'll either go for a walk, a swim down the river, or do some training. Anything to engage them so they are happy to go to sleep around 7pm

I don't think it matters how big your yard is provided you're giving them exercise and stimulation every day.

I'd also recommend obedience, we plan on doing agility with Cara when she's old enough and also retrieving, so she continues to have a life that's interesting, challenging (in a good way) and fun.

[Alfie02]

Sorry should have added the extra details,

She lives in just a regualr suburban home with a medium sized grassy backyard with a patio for shade. She lives with her partner and they do not have any children, however they do visit family with children from about 7 years often. They also have one small maltese male dog who is desexed. She is away from home some days about 4 hours others maybe 6 on weekdays and does not work on weekends. She also intends to take the dog to formal training lessons once a week.

Thank you for your reply =)

[Gilypoo]

Sorry should have added the extra details,

She lives in just a regualr suburban home with a medium sized grassy backyard with a patio for shade. She lives with her partner and they do not have any children, however they do visit family with children from about 7 years often. They also have one small maltese male dog who is desexed. She is away from home some days about 4 hours others maybe 6 on weekdays and does not work on weekends. She also intends to take the dog to formal training lessons once a week.

Thank you for your reply =)

I have a 13month GSD and at this stage she is soo bored. I have had to up her training to a whole new level. Back yard size should be fine as long as the dog does get more then the weekly formal training sessions. My girl goes about 4-6 times a week and lives for it. The other dog will keep her company and distract her for a while, however they require more.. GSD are so intellegent and like to be challenged mentally. Make sure it is socialised from an early age with a range of children and all different ages, this also includes other dogs. Unfortunatley there is a stigma associated with owning a GSD.. People are scared of them just because of there apperance so lots of puppy interaction.. GSD are quite a protective dog and the last thing your friend will want is un unsocalised dog

This is all from my experience. Im sure you will get other posts from people who agree and dis agree with me.

As long as the dog gets what it requires (exercise/ love/ attention) there is no reason why a GSD cant live in suburbia.

[jess live die]

our GSD is 10 months and shes happy girl as long as shes walked loved shes good

we have a good sized yard we walk her twice a day 30 min in the mourning and a hour at night/evening she dosent care about dogs shes a people dog as long as shes loved and played with shes happy we through a ball round play tug-a-war we train her for 15 min a day every 2nd day and just let her run wild at the park with us and my kids.

[Alfie02]

That all sounds like excellent advice to me , I will tell my friend and she can decide weather she has enough time for the walking and the training (going on how much she loves the breed im sure she will make time, lol).

Thanks so much for your answers!

[jess live die]

they are very smart and do catch on fast so she should be fine and shes probley already knows that

[charli73]

Another GSD in suburbia here... I take my girl for 2 walks, a short morning walk and a long off lead run at night... We also do training with her a few times a week but my girl has anxiety issues with us leaving her.... something to watch out for maybe?

As long as they are ready for lots of socialisation an training a GSD will make a great addition..

Edited March 23, 2010 by charli73

[Alfie02]

Thanks, I will let her know about the seperation anxiety issue, hopefully since she already has another dog that wont be to much of a problem

[poodlemum]

Years ago my (ex) husband & I lived in Prahran (inner Melbourne) in a tiny house with absolutely NO yard to speak of with 2 Standard Poodles. They were given long walks twice a day in the local park, where they had plenty of interaction with other dogs & people, had each other's company during the day & certainly appeared to be very happy, not at all traumatised!

[Tilly]

I have 2 working line GSD's. They are both very full on and get destructive if they are bored.

I walked and run them (off leash park) for about 2 to 3 hours a day. We do obedience training every day. I take them swimming at least once a week - I would like to take them more often if I could find a nice river close by.

The younger one does lure coursing, bushwalking, agility, tracking and search & rescue training ... and I am usually completely exhausted before he is.

My boys are not the sort of dogs you could put in the back yard and not do anything with them ... they would go nuts and drive everyone crazy.

[Longcoat]

GSD's are very people reliant and can live happily in a one bedroom flat providing they are exercised regularly. Ours have never used yard space to exercise and amuse themselves and generally follow one of us around and lay where ever a family member is in the house. I don't believe space is relevent keeping a GSD, but taking them for exercise, walks, runs, swimming, organised training is essential. They are very much dogs that like to go where ever you go and can play up when left alone for long periods as do many other breeds.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Longcoat

[Alfie02]

Great info guys, thanks!

Tilly, you mentioned bushwalking, are there clubs you can do that with? Do local GSD clubs do that? Or is it just something you like to do for recreation?

Thanks

PS. Poodlemum you have beautiful poodles! How handsome!

Edited March 23, 2010 by Alfie02

[ZAUBISTAR]

I've got two GSD's at the moment and an old kelpie X (have had GSD's previously). Our yard is a fairly reasonable size but our dogs are inside when we're not home any way. About an 1hr walk a day preferably with a bit of a run is what I'd recommend as a minimum for an adult. Puppies need much less and a lot of off lead frolicks (not pushed exercise).

Good points earlier about socialisation too, any dog regardless of breed needs to be exposed to all social possibilities in a controlled and relaxed manner to have a well established adult. I agree, ppl can be worried about GSD's which at first can be upsetting but you get used to it. Plenty of other ppl like them

Your friend is right about mental stimulation being equally important with this breed as physical. I have my dogs inside with me and constantly engage them. I do obedience so they get bits and pieces of that everyday as well. One on one is also really important with these dogs to help shape desired behaviour but, they can get very attached to their person. They will tend to pick a person in the family who is just special, all family members need to follow training and make pack order clear at all times.

Good luck to your friend, I hope they intend to go to a well respected registered breeder.

[Tilly]

Alfie02 - I just do it as recreational and with friends ... sometimes as part of a navigation training exercise but generally for fun.

[poodlemum]

Great info guys, thanks! :D

Tilly, you mentioned bushwalking, are there clubs you can do that with? Do local GSD clubs do that? Or is it just something you like to do for recreation?

Thanks

PS. Poodlemum you have beautiful poodles! How handsome!

Thanks, they think so, too

[Alfie02]

brigidstarr - she will definatley be going to a respectable registered breeder, i can promise you that :D

[all that glitters]

My shepherd has a soft temperament and isn't one of the hyper go go go shepherds. I give her a 30 minute walk every morning, and another walk in the evenings most of the time. We play fetch and she loves playing games outside as soon as we get up each morning as well as the walk. We have sorta fallen into a routine now... mornings are our time for exercise and play and the walk coupled with those things wears her out enough for her to be content being home alone for 8hrs indoors while we are at work. Having said that, she is only alone that long 1 or 2 days a week as my hubby takes her to work too. She has never shown signs of destruction indoors, so I think she's quite happy being in her big room (it's half the house) when we are out, I give her lots of toys, sticks to chew on, she gets her meaty bone when we leave, radio on, and she has 2 couches, a raised bed and a soft bed to encourage sleep :D

Training wise I think obedience classes are crucial for GSD pups from the week they come home. We did weekly classes up til 1years old, now I work Sunday so can't go or haven't been going, but doing the basics in that first year really helped her be a behaved shepherd I believe. And the social interaction with sooo many other dogs there helps the pup develop without fears etc. Training at home is also important, heeling in the park, teaching it tricks etc... my girl knows heaps of tricks and we have fun together along the way! It keeps their minds active.

Having said that my girl is low energy compared to most GSDs. She sleeps a lot, she goes to bed at 9pm and gets up at 9am if I let her. She will be active and stay active if we are doing things and theres stimulation, but if there isn't much happening she will sleep or lie around. They are all different though, and you have to be prepared for the potential of a very high energy sheppy... I was anyway, kinda glad I got a laid back one

[Nekhbet]

Ask them this - what is it that attracts them to a german shepherd and can they provide for that behavior.

If they are just going for the looks, then find something else. If they want a high energy, active, intelligent working breed because it suits their lifestyle then go for it.