German shepherds are a delight when they are allowed to run around freely and chase the wind. However, you do not want them to get too far away from your circle of vision. This is where the magic of the invisible fences comes into play.

They are way cheaper than getting actual fencing, are easier put in place, and are far lower maintenance. Not to mention the fact, that their invisibility gives them that “blends-with-the-nature” kind of aesthetic appeal!!

There are, however, a few variables that need to be given due consideration while selecting an invisible fence for your German shepherd dog like the coverage area, the ease of placing it as well as the collar size and comfort for your dog.

Keeping all this and more in mind, we have selected the best invisible fences that are in business right now:

Popular Invisible Fences For German Shepherds

1. Pet safe Wireless Dog Containment System

It is a wireless fence system that creates a circular barrier of half-acre coverage and saves you from the hassle of underground wiring to create an invisible fence.

It has a simple setup that can be put in place in a few hours. Also unlike traditional fences, it has a static-free re-entry setup, that allows your German shepherd for re-entering the premises without the fear of receiving a re-entry shock.

It has a sound-only training mode and five levels of static on the receiver collar. Any number of collars can be added to the invisible fence and hence multiple dogs can be trained with the same fence system.

The collar is also waterproof that can be used for German shepherds that are eight pounds or above and can fit neck sizes 6 to 28 inches.

2. Extreme Dog Fence- Second Generation-2020

This Second Generation Extreme Dog Fence can cover up to 6 acres. It is an in-ground system and can be covered underground up to 10 feet deep. It, thus, lives up to its name of being a truly waterproof system.

The dog collar used in this Extreme dog fence version is also very light and is also truly waterproof and weather resistant.

It comes complete with sets of training flags and splice kits. It has been honored with the 29th position in Amazon’s bestseller list of dog invisible fences.

3. Pet safe Stay and Play Compact Wireless Fence

This is another great Pet Safe wireless, above the ground fence system. It comes with an added advantage of even greater coverage of 3/4^th of an acre.

Its star feature, that is standout, however, is its ‘Stay and Play’ Mode. This has a tone-only setting and can be used if you do not wish to shock the dog to prohibit him from moving out of the designated area.

This is a feature customized for German Shepherd owners who are soft-hearted and cannot bear the thought of using shock on the canine love of their life.

However, sometimes tough love is the need of the hour. In such scenarios, this fence does not leave you shorthanded. It provides you with an option of five levels of static correction in case your GSD proves to be a little troublesome in staying within the boundaries.

Along with your GSD, this invisible fence can also be used for smaller breeds of five pounds and above. This product holds the seventh position in Amazon’s bestseller list of best wireless dog fences.

4. Sport DOG Brand In-Ground Invisible Fence

It has an in-ground wiring system, which means the wire has to be dug in the underground, as a circumference around your yard. This might be a tedious task at first, but henceforth it is pretty low maintenance. However; the main highlight of this product is that it has a longer range as compared to the wireless variants, and can restrain the German shepherd to a circumference of 1 1/3 acres.

The icing on the cake is the fence system can be expanded to cover up to 100 acres. This is a Godsend remedy for owners of German shepherds who also own large properties and need their GSD dogs as a protective presence against unwelcomed guests.

It has 4 levels of static correction to suit the temperament of different German shepherd dogs and can be used for dogs weighing above 10 pounds or more. Another key feature is its advanced transmitter, with a break alarm and lightning protector, which provides this model with an extra edge. The break alarm issues a quick notification if there is a breakage in the boundary wall while the lightning protector acts as a shield against damage by lightening.

All in all, this invisible fence is for German shepherd dog owners who own large properties.

5. Pet Safe YardMax Rechargeable In-Ground Fence

Why we decided to include this Petsafe Product can be explained with only one word-Yardmax.

This is an invisible fence for you for your German shepherd if he is too smart for a traditional in-ground fence. Traditional fences correct your dog before they cross the designated boundary. However, this YardMax wonder activates its warning tone setting as your dog approaches the boundary and corrects him only after they cross the boundary. By this improvement, your dog ends up getting a 30% more play areas. .Yay!!

Another additional bonus that you can avail of choice is the indoor and outdoor Petz Away pet barrier. These allow you to keep your dog off expensive furniture and other delicate items both inside the house and in your backyard. These compatible accessories are sold separately.

It provides you a secure 1/3 yard for your dog which can be extended to 10 yards on further wiring. This single fence system also gives you the opportunity to add as many pets as you want to it.

So thanks to this fence, if your beloved German shepherd and Tom cat can live in harmony, they can also be restrained into a designated boundary as well.

Wrapping Up,

These invisible fences are essential tools in training German shepherd dogs to respect the physical boundaries that you have set for them. However, they cannot replace a proper training curriculum for dogs and can only replace it. You may also take the help of E-Collars in training your German shepherd in obedience training or if it gets too far away. Here is a list of Best E-collars that are in circulation right now. Also, here are a few tips if you have just set foot in the ‘training your GSD’ arena.

The post 5 Best Invisible Fences For German Shepherds: Electric enclosures to rein in your dog appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

German Shepherd needs a lot of care, let’s accept this fact! Hence, it is not an act of show-off when you buy accessories for this prized possession. The loyalty and devotion of this pet justify all the efforts you make to give him the best life possible. It is why we have enlisted here the best quality and the most popular German Shepherd accessories. These can help you provide excellent care to your truly deserving pet.

Why you need Germans Shepherd accessories?

Humans don’t accessorize the German Shepherd for cosmetic reasons only. It is not something you do just to make your dog look class apart. You buy your companion and yourself several benefits when you choose to pick accessories. These benefits of German Shepherd accessories are:

• Help keep the dog protected and make carrying them along hassle-free.
• Ease grooming with added effectiveness; for example, brushes, etc
• Help maintain hygiene in a car while traveling.
• Help control and train dogs

Hence, we suggest you go through the following list of accessories suitable for German Shepherds. These allow you to stay equipped with the best items for achieving exceptional dog care:

Essential Accessories For Your German Shepherd Dog

1. Dog Back Seat Cover Protector Hammock

Hammocks for German Shepherd dogs are quite a rage among cleanliness-loving owners. These cover the seat portion of the car fully, allowing dogs to have ample space for seating while traveling. This accessory works the best for owners who love to move out with pets.

Its make is intelligent and material is easy to maintain. So, when looking for solutions that prevent soiling of seats, allow maintaining car seats’ cleanliness and travel along with the kid, and enables easy traveling with, these hammocks offer the correct solution.

A pet is most likely to adjust to the travel solution easily when the seat is transformed into his comfort space. The ability of a material to absorb wetness and contain the pet comfortably makes hammocks a must-have for travel-loving owners. To top it all, the scratch-proof and waterproof material make maintenance an easy job.

2. Gorilla Grip Cat and Dog Grooming Brush and File

It is one of the handy grooming solutions that can help owners give balanced brushing to their German Shepherds. Although this dog has no extensive hair brushing and bathing needs, the chances of germ build-up in nails and hair cannot be ignored. So, this accessory is a good option to consider for maintaining the health and hygiene of your angelic pooch.

This product is designed in such a way as to reduce hair shedding. The brush is designed for dual function. It can cut undercoat hair and also brush the upper coat simultaneously. The design is ergonomic, safe to apply, and is quite gentle on the dog. One storage tip: Keep the blades covered when not in use.

3. Dog Collar with Control Handle Quick Release Metal Buckle

Designed with military-grade sturdiness, but with skin-friendly, soft material, this German Shepherd accessory is best-suited for positive reinforcement training.

This collar is adjustable and can be employed for years. When the dog parent requires to take the pet out and not lose control over him, this adjustable collar with a control handle offers the best deal. It comes with a quick-release metal buckle, too, for better safety.

Available in different colors, the buyers can go to the length of matching the collar with dog skin or hair color and make it more presentable.

4. Voyager No-Pull Dog Vest with Leash Clips

If you want something more appealing than a collar for your pet, you can think of using a dog harness. This harness from Voyager comes designed in an all-weather mesh. Thus, the dog doesn’t feel something additional imposed upon them when they step into this Dog vest.

The leash clips provided offer better control when the dog is taken for a walk. Also, it features bands of shining style which brighten up when the outdoors are foggy, helping the dog become more visible to others. Overall, the dogs with harnesses on look quite impressive and can withstand bad weather better.

5. Aquapaw Pet Bathing Tool – Sprayer and Scrubber in One

Bathing time is the best time to bond with a German Shepherd. They enjoy their parent’s company and bathing time provides the perfect pretext. So, what can make the bathing time special for your dog?

Well, the solution lies in this handy sprayer and scrubber. Its ergonomic style is suitable for easy grooming of the pet. The flow of water spray can be adjusted and improved as per the requirement. With the best materials for grooming in hand, you can make your dog happy and feel loved and meet their grooming needs correctly.

6. Platinum Pets Modern Double Diner Feeder

Making feeding time mess-free for your pooch on mind? Then, it is the feeder you will find interesting. German Shepherds are big dogs, but their food requirements are not too much. Feeders come as a handy solution for the pets’ parents as these enable the better serving of food and are designed to support the easy spooning of materials by dogs.

Germans Shepherds are known to be exceptional in loving and showing loyalty. This little gift is all worth it as it allows them to savor the food the best possible way. Its unique appearance allows the pet to reach the food effortlessly. So, next time when you take it out, the very sight of it is sure to leave your pet drooling.

7. Furhaven Memory Foam Dog Beds

Memory foam bed is one of the most-needed German Shepherd accessories that can help you provide a comfortable sleep to your furry companion.

Many times it happens that the dog may feel tired. After all, he also needs to rest! It is always up to the parent to stop the pet from going over-energetic.

German Shepherd accessories are incomplete without the mention of a bed, and so, this ends the list on a meaningful note.

How to derive the best benefits from German Shepherd accessories?

Buying German Shepherd accessories can be your best move when you pay attention to the following pointers:

• Keep the German Shepherd’s age, size, and weight in mind while buying accessories. Especially when you are buying beds, hammocks, collars, etc., size does matter!
• Maintain the blades’ and grooming brushes’ cleanliness properly and as per instructions
• Always check expiry dates of products and keep record of instruction manuals if the accessories are of electronic nature.

Conclusion

Serve your pets’ needs right with German Shepherd accessories. Buy good-quality products and replace them on time; else make durability a priority feature instead of an option. Share with us how you prepared your house for welcoming German Shepherd puppy and how the accessories mentioned above proved helpful.

The post 7 Must-Have Accessories For Your German Shepherd Dog appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

Training a German shepherd puppy into a responsible and confident adult dog requires both commitment and expertise. While we have no doubt regarding your commitment to your German shepherd’s future, a little help in the expertise area may be the requirement of the day.

There are multiple sources of gathering information about the training process specific to German shepherds. One of the best among them is a time-tested book that can walk you through the entire odysseys of owning and training a German shepherd, a journey where you are both a teacher and a student.

As you train your dog, you get insights into their mind and develop an almost spiritual connection to them. This entire process adds as much to your personality as it does to them, and a wonderful book as a companion on this journey can smoothen the path as well as make it more enjoyable.

Following is a handpicked list of the best books to read for tips on training a German shepherd:

List of Helpful German Shepherd Training Books

1. Training your German shepherd dog

This book is a 2018 winner of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) Award for the best book in training. ‘Training your German shepherd dog’ is a part of ‘Training your dog series’ which specifically throws light on the trials and tribulations of training a German shepherd dog. A well-detailed book, complete with full-sized color pictures that deal with the different methodologies of German shepherd training as well as digs deep into the different psychological theories behind the methods.

It provides you an insight into the German shepherd’s dog mind so that you not only follow training instructions written in the book but also understand the reasoning behind them. Loaded with very specific information on different theories and throws in some great ideas about positive reinforcement techniques.

It also helps you in introspecting if you are ready to raise a dog and if so, the kind of German shepherd that will complement you. Furthermore, It has an additional bonus in the form of information on the breeding history of German shepherd dogs to help you know where they come from. The book encourages you to understand your dog’s mind while helping you to plant your image in his mind as the ‘leader of the pack’. This makes him more likely to look up to you and follow instructions. All in all, this book is a brilliant opportunity for novice German shepherd enthusiasts to understand the nuances of the deal.

2. Your German shepherd puppy month by month

As the name suggests, the book takes into account each and every month of the German shepherd growth period, which dates back to the moment it comes out in the litter. It has more information than you will need to understand the best way to raise and train your dog and it is a highly comprehensive book.

Since German shepherd pups grow in leaps and bounds, it will answer all the questions you may have in your mind ranging from whether its height and weight are appropriate to its age bracket as well as what and what not to feed him. It also tells you which outdoor plants to look out for which may be dangerous for your pup’s health.

It goes on to talk about a German shepherd’s grooming requirements, schedules for veterinary appointments as well as vaccination needs. The book even discusses the behavioral issues of the GSD pup as it hits adolescence and the best way to handle its tantrums. If there is something you want to know about your pup, the book has it (and that too categorized month-wise).

 All in all, it’s a book from doggie womb to tomb.

3. The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete

‘The art of raising a puppy’ is a book by multiple authors and trainers whose experience over the years has been gathered, refined, and streamlined to give birth to this book, which as an American bestseller, has cemented its reputation as the ‘Go-to-book’ for understanding your German shepherd pup and its varied needs.

The book goes through the various developmental stages of the German shepherd growth period and brilliantly guides the users through the various ways to initiate socialization, crate training, and behavioral adaptations in the German shepherd dogs.

The book shed some light on how to adopt dogs from shelters. It also talks about the updated behavioral modification techniques in the breed. This is much needed now that more and more German Shepherds are being raised in urban settings.

It is a good buy for both first-time and experienced dog owners, as it covers the basics as well as touches on the advanced themes that are currently circulating in the academic circles regarding the German shepherd training requirements.

4. German Shepherds for Dummies

An easy-to-read book especially for absolute beginners to help them boost their confidence as they embark on a mission to train their newly adopted German shepherd pups. It is written in plain English and concepts have been simplified to help owners who are looking for a quick (yet effective) dose of information to help them break out of the initial nervousness of nurturing a newly acquired pup.

It explains the basics of German shepherd training steps in a lucid manner with a humorous touch. However, it might not be very useful for trainers having a fair amount of knowledge on training German shepherds already.

5. The German shepherd dog (Terra Nova)

The German shepherd dog (Terra Nova) is a complete guide to a 360-degree view of German shepherds that will be a step-by-step guide for you and your entire family in raising the dog.

Equipped with extensive chapters on feeding, grooming, and training the dog into a well-behaved adult canine. It also has a detailed chapter on canine health that is reviewed by experienced veterinarians, which suggests dietary plans for the canines as well as discusses the parameters for ensuring their health.

Again an easy-to-read book with pictorial representations and graphics which will appeal to even dog owners who otherwise are not comfortable in reading hefty books.

6. K9 Personal Protection

This is one of the best books in its genre if you have decided to own a German shepherd dog for protection and personal security. The authors of this book have trained German shepherd dogs for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and policies of various nations. They bring this invaluable experience to the table as they pen a detailed analysis on multiple approaches to this kind of training and impart useful tips on obedience training.

It also provides an insight into the kind of German shepherds which will be best suitable for your purpose and the best way to zero down on them.

The book starts with the basics on how to procure such dogs, cement it with fundamentals of how to impart training to create protection dogs out of the routine German shepherd dogs, and then build on it with advanced exercises and training.

Books are sometimes able to provide explanations that can beat even the most professional of trainers. A good book with respect to the training of German shepherds can act as a key to their heart and get you into the mind and soul of a professional trainer. Reading a couple of books and doing adequate research on the matter will surely help you get ready for the satisfaction and challenges of owning a German shepherd dog.

Final Words

It is important to select a book according to your level of expertise in training a German shepherd, for some books are targeted at novices while others are penned down at a level that can only match the comprehension levels of skilled trainers. Also, It is important to introspect if you are a reader who can go for detailed explanations and enjoys the intricacies that are involved with heavy reading, or if you are the kind that is comfortable with quick and upfront information.

You can thus select a book that is best suited to your German Shepherd’s personality; and which resonates with your temperament as a reader and trainer as well. This, in turn, will act as a powerful tool in your mission to carve out the best version of your German shepherd dog.

The post Top 6 German Shepherd Training Books You Must Know About appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

The German shepherd is a noble breed. Adjectives like “courageous, loyal, intelligent, confident” have been traditionally attached to this athletic pedigree of the dog. Ever since 1899, when the German Shepherd breed came into existence, his high energy levels and need for activity have been noted to be dominant. 

He is by nature, very intelligent and playful. They are prone to become troublemakers and hard to control, unless trained well with commands and in basic etiquettes as puppies or young dogs. 

Bred as a working dog, he is a favorite for training as police dogs and service dogs. Training GSDs must incorporate creative and productive activities to channel their intelligence. For well-rounded training, especially for police activities or guiding disabled people, it is important that this handsome dog’s keen sense of sight and smell are exercised appropriately. It is also important to note that certain activities may not be conducive to your German Shepherd, owing to his propensity to develop hip/elbow dysplasia and other such skeletal deformities. 

Training tools are excellent aids for you, as a pet owner, to build up your GSD’s strength and dexterity as a working-class dog. This is because they are made to hone his senses, increasing the complexity of the training routine. Many great training tools are available today that address all your concerns for training a GSD. 

With an average Height between 22-26 inches and weight between 50-90 pounds, the GSD is a heavyset breed. Thus, training tools must be durable and robust enough to withstand his heavy momentum and forceful biting.

7 Useful Tools For Training Your German Shepherd

1. Leash and Collar

At 3 to 9 months of age, your German Shepherd pup should be trained in house habits and obedience training, recall impulse control. You should also be aware that GSDs, if not trained properly, can go and chase practically everything. Thus, to teach your canine the limits of his self-control, a dog collar and leash can be effective. 

Use a long line for loose leash walking. Obedience training for GSDs may involve aversive training, i.e. unpleasant stimuli to stop him from doing an undesirable action. Suppose your dog wanders off too far, you may tug on the line and recall him.

Collars are great tools for socializing training. Your German Shepherd remembers stimuli and commands very well. A training collar comes with sensors that detect pulling, excessive barking, aggressiveness, or any undesirable antics. Stimuli like vibrations, sounds, tiny shocks are remotely generated and act as automatic deterrents for your dog to stop what they are doing.

2. Puller Training Rings

Puller training rings consist of 2 rings, that you can include in various athletic training routines: jumping, fetching, and tug-of-war sessions of higher intensity, for all such activities.  Since it’s Lightweight, you can handle this set of rings with ease, even if the session is physically intense. These are some of the many ways that you can employ to train:

RUNNING: First, throw rings one by one. Allow your GSD to retrieve one ring, then show him the other ring and throw it. Repeat the exercise. The exercise trains a dog retrieval of items, helping to develop speed and dexterity.

JUMPING: You throw the rings, and your dog catches one of them. Once a dog grabs the ring, give the other one instead. Your GSD should release the first ring and jump after the second. This exercise is useful to train his attention and reaction skills. 

PULLING: Hold the rings in your hands and let your German shepherd tug at them. Once in a while, let go of the rings to boost his morale. Use 2 rings at a time to train him to give back an item. The exercise aids in improving his strength and stamina. 

SWIMMING: This exercise trains all muscle groups, while also acting as a therapeutic break from hot, sweaty regimens. The rings float in water, so you can combine all other activities and replicate them in water for the break-in monotony.

3. HDP 18-Ft Dog Training Tunnel

A dog training tunnel kit is made of a High-Density Polymer (plastic) material with a collapsible wireframe that’s easy to set up and store. This setup is a classic essential for agility training your German shepherd.

Since the wireframe is flexible and collapsible, you can actually expand the size of the tunnel up to a maximum of 18 ft and mold it in a variety of routes or shapes. Gradually extend its length and modify the orientation from straight to a curved tunnel that will test its limits.

You can even keep his favorite treats ready when he emerges from the other end. To avoid anxiety and panic of being for too long in an enclosed space, it‘s a good idea to keep other toys nearby, as the experience of being in a tunnel can lead to some anxiety initially.

4. Behavioural Training Clicker 

Clicker training is a really good positive reinforcement training method. It can help you to command your German shepherd to sit, walk, stop barking, stay, or correct poor behavior.

The clicker is clicked every time your pupper does something desirable, such as following a voice command correctly. When you add a treat to reward him, you can actually expand the range of skills that you can train him, including fixed-point excretion, shaking hands, tumbling, retrieval, etc.

5. Dog Whistle

Communicating with your GSD can be a challenging task, especially if you do not know the language to reach out to him. 

The erect ears of the GSD have an optimal auditory range of 45,000 Hz to 65,000 Hz. This is way above the human auditory frequency range of 18,000 Hz. This capacity may be impaired with age and other health-related issues.

The shrill, high-pitch sound produced by a dog whistle is in the range of 35,000 Hz, which is inaudible to the human ear but very much audible to your dog. This can be used to signal to your GSD to stop doing an activity that is not asked by the trainer.

A Pavlovian conditioning is created when you associate dog whistles with voice commands or such stimuli, for command training even if your dog is far away. The training should be carried out in a place without disturbance or distraction. 

6. Nero Ball Classic K9 Ball on a Rope

If you want to give your dog a tantalizing toy to entice him to jump, tug, or chase, this natural rubber ball on nylon rope is the tool for you!

The bright orange color pops out to your German Shepherd, so it makes for a good game of hide and seek as well. Tie it up on a height, and give it a slight oscillation. This is enough to invite your furry friend to come jumping at it. Adjust the height gradually to improve his leap strength.

Being slightly larger than a regular tennis ball, its outer surface has projections on it that give him a familiar mouthfeel when chewing on it. 

7. Flyer durable flying disc

While tennis balls and sticks are good for fetching and throwing catch, frisbees are fun because of the dual advantage: longer flying range and the time in-air.

This is a great toy to nurture his aerial skills and seek hidden items. This is also floatable in water, so it can help you exercise your pooch’s legs in the water’s resistance.

Conclusion

Remember to be patient and consistent throughout the process. Hone the skills of your German Shepherd one step at a time. They are primarily on high levels of energy and want to utilize all of it. If trained well, German Shepherds can channelize their intelligence and become less of troublemakers and more of fierce guardians. 

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