What is the best home environment for a German Shepherd?

Answer 1

From a grooming standpoint, the home should have easy care flooring and preferably leather furniture because these dogs shed a lot. First and foremost, they need lots of exercise. A small apartment is not going to be a good choice unless the owner likes to do a lot of jogging with his dog every day. If you don't find a constructive way to burn off all the excess energy a working dog like a German Shepherd builds up when he lives as a pampered pet, he'll become destructive. He'll eat tables and doorknobs. He'll annoy neighbors. He'll unmake all the beds and re-arrange the furniture. He'll watch home remodeling shows emphasizing demolition and put what he's learned to use. Next, they need mental stimulation. That means life-long training. If you run out of things you need them to know, start teaching them sports or tricks. They're smart dogs who can learn just about anything. I have one who figured out the airconditioner on her own because she's solid black, gets hot, and prefers the thermostat a little lower than I do. If my dog can do that on her own, there is no end to what your dog can learn if you set about helping him to learn it. GSDs without enough constructive things to occupy their minds observe and learn things you wish they didn't. I have one who figured out deadbolts and car door locks and has decided it's incredibly funny to lock me out of the house or car. I become suspicious when they watch me just a little too closely as I drive and operate ATMs. One of these days.... The owner should be confident, clever, and experienced training working dogs. They should be on their toes and able to keep one step ahead. A German Shepherd is not for the faint-of-heart. While they are not by nature mean dogs, they are smart and they know it. They'll test people to see how smart and confident the person is and then gauge what they can convince the person to allow. I have a lovely 10 year old service dog, specially trained to help me with a disability related to a traumatic brain injury. I trust this dog with my life, and he has never, ever failed me. When I have fallen and dropped his leash, he's brought it back to me. When I've had a seizure, he looks after me, keeping me from wandering into danger. BUT: when I am disoriented after a seizure, he will take advantage. When asked to take me home, he does. But he takes the scenic route so he can sniff the pee-mail on the way. He does this because he's figured out he can. There's not a touch of malice or sneakiness in this dog, but he is a dog. Though he walks for me on a loose leash ignoring distractions, I cannot let my mother walk him because he'd drag her off on an adventure and ignore her pleas to return home. He knows she's a cream puff and she'll never tell him not to do something. My breeder taught me something I live by to this day. "You can spoil them all you want, so long as you make them tow the line." Don't ask them to do something unless you are prepared to out-stubborn them on whether they do it. Never, ever back down or give in. German Shepherds (and most dogs) prefer living with very clear boundaries of what is and is not accepted. They may continue to test the owner throughout their lives, but calling them on it with a simple, "knock it off," from a confident and knowledgeable owner is sufficient to keep them in line, beautifully behaved, and above all: happy.