Ultimate German Shepherd Guide - Puppies Behavior Study, Raising & Training GSD Dog: March 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009

German Shepherd Dogs at Work

German Shepherd Dog has truly earned a great deal of admiration throughout the world. Although he wasn’t bred for the many purposes that he is serving these days, but he has proved to be the most able candidate of all dog breeds. This is probably because of his effectiveness and multi-tasking ability that German Shepherd Dog breed has marked his name as one most versatile dog breed in the world. Quite a lot courageous than most dog breeds, German Shepherd Dog has an impressive protective instinct that is one most fruitful component of a true working dog.

“Utility is the true criterion of the breed,” was the watch words of Captain Max Von Stephanitz, who created the breed not just to create a gorgeous looking dog, but to create a true working dog breed that would assist the shepherds to herd sheep. Keeping the work of herding sheep intact, German Shepherd Dog has proved to be really priceless in departments like police, drug detection, sentry, guarding and even medical too! Although some other dog breeds like Dobermann Pinschers, Weimeraners, Bouviers des Flandres, Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers are also used as police dogs, yet GSDs have always topped the list, with their high degree of adaptability and SOUNDNESS OF TEMPERAMENT. Be it on a mob control duty at a tournament or challenging a criminal with weapons or on duty of searching for a lost kid. German Shepherd’s working ability has been tested on wide range of operations – as diverse as objectives

German Shepherds as Service Dogs

German Shepherds are wonderful service dogs… beyond doubts. In many countries theses days German Shepherd dogs have been in extensive use in patrolling defense organizations. As service dog the tasks include search and rescue (SAR), military, sniffing etc. GSD is trained to "work the furrow", meaning that they will patrol a boundary all day and restrain the animals being herded from entering into or leaving a specific territory.

German Shepherds in Movies

German Shepherd Dog is the first canine breed to step into the world of movies. How can we forget Rin-Tin-Tin, who revolutionized the movie world, by challenging great actors like Charlie Chaplin. Movies by Rin-Tin-Tin are:

The Man from Hell's River (1922)
My Dad (1922)
Where the North Begins (1923)
Shadows of the North (1923)
Hello Frisco (1924)(a 10 minute short)
Find your Man(1924)
The Lighthouse by the Sea" (1925)
Clash of the Wolves (1925)
Tracked in the Snow Country (1925)
Below the Line (1925)
The Night Cry (1926)
A Hero of the Big Snow (1926)
While London Sleeps (1926)
Hills of Kentucky (1927)
Jaws of Steel (1927)
Tracked by the Police (1927)
A Dog of the Regiment (1927)
A Race for Life (1928)
Rinty of the Desert (1928)
Land of the Silver Fox (1928)
The Famous Warner Brothers Dog Star (1928)
The Million Dollar Collar (1929)
Frozen River (1929)
The Show of Shows (1929)
Tiger Rose (1929)
The Man Hunter (1930)
On the Border (1930)
Rough Waters (1930)
The Lone Defender (1930)
The Lightning Warrior (1931)

More movies was made featuring the progenitors of Rin Tin Tin: Rin Tin Tin Jr, Rin Tin Tin II, Rin Tin Tin III, Rin Tin Tin IV, Rin Tin Tin VI, Rin Tin Tin VII, Rin Tin Tin VIII

German Shepherds as Drug Detection Dogs

German Shepherd Dogs have also been used to detect hidden, smuggled drugs that are prohibited. They are smart enough to detect smuggled items from noisy engine cabins of a ship, aircraft hangers, cars etc. GSDs play tremendously active role to fight drug smuggling all over the world.

German Shepherds as Guide Dogs – Seeing Dogs

Alsatian dogs were the first canine breed to be trained as “Seeing Eye” dogs or guide dogs for the blinds. Although many other dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers and mixed breed are performing the task of Seeing Eye dogs, yet GSDs comprise over one-third of the total Seeing Eye dog population across the globe.
German Shepherds as Companion Dogs

A hugely incredible number of German Shepherds are kept as family pets and have earned a great deal of admiration as a versatile companion dog. His popularity as a companion dog led him to reserve his position as the most popular dog breed registered by authorized Kennel Clubs all over the world.

German Shepherds as PAT dogs – Pro Dog Active Therapy Dogs

Along side some of the other breeds, German Shepherd Dog breed have been registered as Pro Active Therapy Dog or simply therapy Dogs. GSDs with steady temperament are taken to old age homes, nursing homes and hospitals by their owners.
German Shepherds as Seizure Alert Dogs

German Shepherd Dogs have also shown stand out dexterity as Seizure Alert Dog. He tops the list of the most able dog breeds that have been trained and tested to warn an impending seizure in an epileptic person. A Seizure Alert German Shepherd Dog goes through a series of actions, which are entirely different from the activities of GSDs in other departments. Actions of Seizure Alert Shepherd includes pawing, running to encompass the victim, rushing close and sitting by the victim, or even barking if necessary.

German Shepherd Dog is a dog for all purposes and for all reasons.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Schutzhund – The Breed Evaluation Test: Developed For German Shepherd Dogs

Developed around the turn of the century, 'Schutzhund' is the German term of “Protection Dog”, while it actually refers to a test in the form of sports by which some essential traits in dogs, which makes the dog more useful to the owner, are evaluated in a highly systematic way. This test helps to determine the most desirable characteristics of the German Shepherd Dogs. A German Shepherd with all the desirable characteristics is an excellent and the most reliable companion of its owner. The Schutzhund test has been formulated to separate the breeding stock (a high quality dogs with all the desirable characteristics) from the stock with the undesirable characteristics. The “characteristics” here refers not only to the psychological characteristics but PHYSICAL/ STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG as well.

Schutzhund was actually started with a view to put the German Shepherd Dog breed to test. When the SV started off with their operations, decision was taken make an attempt to find a place for the shepherd dogs in two branches of the military services that was existed then. Keeping in mind the small number of service dogs needed for those couple of departments in Military service, the SV advised the shepherd dog keepers to secure a scope of regular training for them as protection dogs. And this was how the Schutzhund was originated.

Schutzhund qualified dogs are obvious to get good, secured jobs in the police and rescue departments. This is because the test focuses in developing the necessary traits like Intelligence, Courage, Willingness Capability to work, Ability to scent, and physical and mental soundness. All these are the most essential traits for these two departments.

The Schutzhund test is an elimination process through which the GSDs incorrect drives and temperament are straight way eliminated from the German Shepherd Dogs with correct traits. Naturally, the puppies of a Schutzhund trained Dam and Sire is expected to be of high quality — having most of the desirable characteristics of the breed.

Now-a-days, the dogs of the other breeds are actively taking part in the Schutzhund test, but the sports of Schutzhund was specifically developed solely for the Deutscher Scaferhund i.e. German Shepherd Dogs. Read more about GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG INSTINCTS AND BEHAVIOR.

This breed evaluation process has come to a great help to the modern breeders. It has become easier for the breeders to select an apt bitch for an apt dog and vice versa to produce good quality puppies with desirable characteristics and balanced physical structure.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Tid Bits of German Shepherd Dog Training Tips

I am not a professional dog trainer, nor a canine behaviorist. I am just a regular person like you guys, who love dogs - any breed, but especially GSD is what I have always dreamed of! Having stayed in close relation with this amazing breed, I got to know more about the breed. It's out of my undying hunger to know more about German Shepherd Dogs that I have mingled with professional dog trainers, German Shepherd breeders, and canine experts since when I started falling in love with shepherds. I have heard people saying that German Shepherds are one of the toughest breed, while many says that he's quite intelligent and easy to handle. Both these school of thoughts are correct! German Shepherd Dogs are really tough for novice dog owners, but can be the most loved companion for those who knows how to make the most of their intelligence. You should not even think of adopting a German Shepherd, if you don't have that urge to upgrade your knowledge every day. If you are a German Shepherd owner you should know tid bits of some German Shepherd Dog training tricks. Here are some German Shepherd Dog training tips - I better say 'tricks' that you may find really valuable.

#1 Never yell when you are training German Shepherd: Remember, punishing, scolding and yelling at your German Shepherd puppy will end up with making him even more harder to teach things. Scolding and yelling at him will make him lose his confidence on you. This in turn will make him more confused and chances are that punishing and shouting at them may backfire with this breed!

#2. German Shepherd Dog is the third most intelligent canine breed: They have special intellect that is much above most of the other dog breeds in the world. This helps them to grab new lessons faster. Use their own intelligence during the training session.

#3. German Shepherd Dogs have unique instincts: Read out the BASIC INSTINCTS OF GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS. Remember, most successful trainers use the basic German Shepherd Dog instincts while training. The key to the success story is to master the art of using the dog's own instinct for training him.

#4. Don't confuse him with too many words: Use one symbol word - either "YES" or "GOOD" for all his desirable actions and "NO" or "BAD" for all undesirable actions. Don't forget to reward him with pat or a treat for any desirable action without a symbol word.

#5. 4 training sessions per day: Wondering? That's really possible! Well, you know that you need to start off with training your dog at an age as early as 8 weeks. This is a stage when you need to feed him at least four times a day and teaching by treating is an excellent way to train your German Shepherd Puppy. So you will have four opportunities a day to teach him newer lessons or make him practice pre-taught lessons. More the practices the better.

There is actually no thumb rule technique for training dogs. A specific technique that works like gangbusters with your Rover may turn out to be a flop with my Rex. Just one method that works well with all the German Shepherd Dogs in the world is to avoid harsh methods. All you need is to think of a way that suits the best with the personality of your dog. There's nothing wrong in treating him for each of his desirable actions. Let me be very candid, I've always expected a cup of coffee after the successful accomplishment of each assignment in my work place. If you are serious about it, I am sure you'll find training your German Shepherd puppy really addictive and fun. But be careful... with wrong techniques you can unknowingly spoil your child. This is where a professional dog trainer finds his real worth. So there's no way you can deny the value of a professional dog trainer, even though you are following the above tips on training German Shepherd Dogs.

Please check my friend Rachael's website on training dogs. Rachael is a Dog Trainer & Behaviourist - Canine Ambitions.