If there was one word to describe a German Shepherd, it’d definitely be “athletic”. An agile, lean, handsome breed, he’s notorious for his aggressive nature, but yet, on the brighter side, insanely friendly and easy to train. By virtue of its intelligence and playful nature, this beloved furry ball of energy tends to get bored very quickly. The side-effects of a bored German Shepherd typically include restlessness, anxiety, digging and chewing, and spurts of aggressive barking. 

So, in addition to proper grooming and training, your German Shepherd also needs the right set of play and activities to keep himself engaged. Simply a daily walk will not suffice; engage your pooch in the right set of outdoor exercise, along with yard toys like frisbees, chewable toys, and so on, that give vent to his aggressive chewing and pent-up energy. Take a look at our top Ten curated (and hit!) yard toys right here!

German Shepherd Yard Toys for Boredom

1. Dog ball thrower

The most exciting thing for German Shepherds is… well, a simple tennis ball. Just fling it in the air and watch him run after it. You can throw the ball yourself in the yard, but your high-energy dog will quickly tire you out. A good way to deal with this is by using dog ball throwers.

These come in various sizes, perfect for all German Shepherd puppers to doggos. The fun part is that you don’t have to be around to load the balls in the devices. Once your German Shepherd learns to drop the balls into the loading tray, he can have a great deal of fun in the yard, all day long! Some ball launchers have distance settings to adjust how far the balls can be projected. You can go for wireless ones as well! 

2. Nero Ball Classic K9 Ball on a Rope

Made of a special natural rubber blend & slightly larger than a regular tennis ball, it has thicker inner walls with projections on it, that give your German Shepherd a familiar mouthfeel when chewing on it. Your doggo will also want to tug and bite the tough, durable nylon rope.

The rope has a sturdy Anti-slip knot that resists heavy tugging and jumping activities. Its bright orange color is eye-catching to your German Shepherd, so it makes for a good game of ‘hide and seek’ as well. Overall, a great toy to have in your yard for your GSD!

3. Long flyer durable flying disc

If your German Shepherd loves tennis-balls, he’ll love frisbees even more! Frisbees give her a chance to flaunt her aerial skills. The most important aspect of frisbees is their flight distance, flying time and durability. However, the best flying discs have a softer, forgiving catch and a bit of bounce, which will be good on the teeth and gums.

Durability is another aspect, but most frisbees are meant for fetch and retrieve games, not for chewing. If purchasing plastic discs, please ensure the material is non-toxic and lead-free.

4. Chuckit! Ultra Ball

For your German Shepherd, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball is a perfect yard toy because it can withstand a good amount of slobbery chewing. The bouncy ball scores High on stimulation factor, because it encourages jumping, fetching, and swimming (thanks to its great floating quality!). The bright orange-n-blue color probably excite your dog to play. Another aspect is that it is a 3” size, which fits in suitable dog ball launchers that you may already own. 

5. Puller Training Rings

Puller training rings are excellent toys/fitness equipment for your German Shepherd. Containing 2 purple rings, your dog can have jumping, fetching, and tug-of-war sessions of higher intensity.

It’s lightweight, perfect for intense, yet rewarding training sessions with your pet. It’s made of soft & firm material, non-toxic and odourless. Not meant as a chew toy. It also floats in water, so it’s a great gift for your German Shepherd’s fitness plus fun! The kit also has a comic-book style instruction guide, so you can bond happily with your cute doggo.

6. HDP 18-Ft Dog Training Tunnel

German Shepherds are intelligent, athletic, and agile; training your dog is a breeze with a dog training tunnel kit. It’s an HDP (plastic) material with a collapsible wireframe that’s easy to set-up and store! If you want to agility train your dog, then you could try this tunnel. Gradually extend its length and change the orientation from straight to a curved tunnel to test his limits.

Keep his favourite treats ready when he emerges from the other end! This toy is perfect for large yards, as setting up an 18-ft long tunnel can require a good deal of space. Keep other toys nearby, as the experience of being in a tunnel can lead to some anxiety initially.

7. Tether Tug

This is a fun little addition to your puppy’s yard toys. Your German Shepherd needs a good, intense chase-and-tug type activity, that is bound to make your arm muscles sore.

It consists of a tall pole with a sturdy rope tethered to its top. He will love the challenge of tug-of-war, as the rope relieves his teething pain. You can also attach a ball to the rope and watch him attack it. Guaranteed hours of fun!

8. Otterly Pets Rope Dog Toys

If your GSD gets worked up pretty quickly, the Otterly Pets Rope Dog Toys would be a paws-itively excellent yard toy for them! These rope toys come in assorted varieties, like 22.5” Rope with 4 Knots, 6” Ring, Figure-8 rope with chewable Rubber Ball, 20” Rope with Loop, and 4” Rope Ball, 3.5” diameter Monkey Ball & Fist Rope Ball.

It’s durable and made of natural cotton fibres, which makes it pet-friendly and quick-wash. It also takes care of your dog’s Oral hygiene by removing tartar and build-up, with every chewing. Mix and match your doggie’s yard playtime activities, with tug-o-war, fetching, or chewing games. 

9. Kong Classic

German Shepherds can become very snappy, so a good chew toy is a must. And a toy like this Kong Classic is a great addition to your paw-rtner’s playthings! It’s a bulbous, hollow, compound ball with 3 tiers, that allows your German Shepherd to bite and chew from different angles.

As it is made of thick natural rubber, it ensures a good deal of chewing. Incorporate this in your German Shepherd’s yard activities by stuffing it with his favourite flavoured treats. Hide the Kong Classic in a sandpit and let your German Shepherd go on a digging and hunting spree! 

10. PetSafe Ricochet Interactive Sound Game Dog Toy

Interactive toys like this Ricochet help sharpen your German Shepherd’s instinctive and detection skills that will keep your German Shepherd engaged for hours. Consisting of 2 interactive balls, when your pup nudges one of the oval-shaped speakers, the other ball makes a squeaking sound. This goes on the back-and-forth, making for a really entertaining game of “catch the squeak”! 

The sound ranges up to 30 feet, so your German Shepherd will run around your yard, hunting for the source of the sound! Hide one of the balls for a doggie scavenger hunt.

The Ricochet is a mentally stimulating and challenging toy, which unexpectedly gives your dog the exercise and playtime he needs! Also, it’s battery-powered, lasting up to a month of daily play before batteries need replacement.

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However, not training them in the right way and doing things to irritate them can lead to problems. If you are planning on getting a German shepherd, then you undoubtedly have made a good choice. However, there are some things you must know about their aggression before bringing them home. These factors are stated further in this article.

Top 5 Triggers of an Aggressive German Shepherd

1.   Fear

According to research, you need to remember that aggression comes from fear. No dog has an inbuilt emotion of aggression, but the way you treat them can create an aggressive nature. If you constantly keep yelling on the dog, then it will create a fear factor, and the dog will consider you as someone dangerous and will eventually adopt aggressive behavior.

2.   Strangers

German shepherds are extremely protective of their owners. It may sound good but can sometimes be a problem when you have surprise guests or strangers visiting you. As per BCSPCA, It is when the dog may start barking and become aggressive towards the innocent guest.

Therefore, you will have to train the dog and make it comfortable with accepting other people but not too comfortable. Try to make it understand your gestures of acceptance and danger. In that way, the dog will be trained to be calm in any situation.

3.   Separation anxiety

A German shepherd loves his/her human more than anything. Research says that staying away causes stress and anxiety in the dog. It may try to escape, bark excessively, or may show any other abnormal behavior. The best you can do is ensure to give some time regularly to your dog. Make the dog more comfortable with other acquaintances, so it has someone when you are not around.

4.   Hyper-active

These dogs are extremely active and need some exercise time daily. A morning walk will probably not be sufficient for them. Yes, they sure are cuddle buddies, but they need their energy activities as well. You cannot just tie your german shepherd on the porch and accept it to be fine. Instead, it will bark on every moving thing constantly and become aggressive.

5.   Ignorance

Your ignorance can be the cause of your german shepherd’s anger. Ignoring the initial little acts of aggression, such as biting or barking, can develop the habit of such acts in the dog.

You will have to train the dog on everything related to barking or biting or any other behavior that can be a concern for aggression. The job of training may be tough in the beginning, but it will eventually pay off. Also, if you don’t train your german shepherd, then it will not only be a problem for you but for everyone around. An aggressive dog can attack anything that occurs dangerous to it.

Types of Aggression

According to k9aggression, there are three basic types of aggression in german shepherds. They are :

1.   Dominance Aggression

A German shepherd may build a dominating nature towards other individuals. It is very unlikely for this dog breed to feel this way for its owner as they love their owners too much.

However, other things around can be a source to dominate for them. It can be a family member or a worker or even another dog. The reason can be anything, such as the motto of being the only one who gets its owner’s attention.

2.   Territorial or Protective Aggression

As already mentioned, German shepherds are extremely loyal and protective of their owners. However, you will have to pay the price if you don’t direct this protection in the right direction.

Territorial aggression forms when the dog thinks that its owner is in danger. So, the dog may bark excessively or show any other aggressive behavior to protect its owner. The dog can even attack if it perceives that the danger is not going away.

You must make the dog comfortable with other members of the family and the people you regularly see. German shepherds are very protective, so you have to be careful with that.

3.   Fear forming Aggression

Fear aggression occurs when the dog is scared. A German shepherd may bark, growl, snarl, or may even bite when he/she finds something potentially dangerous and scary.

Constant nagging and yelling can also develop such a nature in the dog. You must not bring something that always scares the dog in front of it in order to avoid such behavior. Doing things that the dog is afraid of can eventually form a permanent aggressive behavior in the dog.

What causes Aggression in German Shepherds?

There can be many reasons for a German shepherd to behave in an aggressive manner. Some of them are :

1.   Anything that triggers fear

Research has shown that fear and anxiety are the most common reasons for any dog to be aggressive. When a dog is constantly brought forward to face something it fears, then it adapts aggression.

The aggression that emerged on the first encounter can become habitual aggression if the fearful situation keeps happening again and again. The dog adapts an aggressive nature to protect itself. Past experiences can also bring out such a nature in a german shepherd.

2.   Lack of interaction

Here, the interaction refers not only with the owner but the interaction in bigger social terms that involve everything around. When a German shepherd is not familiar with other people, animals, or any other thing in the social context, then it will throw a tantrum when taken to a social place.

Anything like a walk or taking the dog to a vet will become disastrous if the dog isn’t familiar with it. Studies have shown that dogs negatively react to uniforms. So, make sure they are known to the uniforms that come across on a daily basis.

3.   Injury or illness

A german shepherd may behave aggressively because of an injury or illness. Injuries or illnesses can cause discomfort for the dog, making it feel annoyed and, therefore, aggressive.

It is better to consult a vet if your dog starts to behave aggressively out of nowhere. Therefore, the injury doesn’t need to be physical; rather, it can actually be the consequence of mental damage because of the dog’s painful past experiences.

Top 10 Ways To Calm an Aggressive German Shepherd

You must know about these ten ways, especially if you notice any aggressive behavior in your German shepherd. These solutions can help your german shepherd calm down and bring a change in its aggressive behavior. They are mentioned and explained with the help of the points given below:

1.   Showing affection

You must shower your dog with love and affection. A german shepherd can do anything to make the owner happy. Most of the action a german shepherd performs is basically in accordance with what the owner likes. However, this can change if you don’t show some affection back to your dog. To show affection, start spending an hour near your dog. Moreover, cuddling with the dog is enough. However, if your dog suffers from something like separation anxiety, then you will need to invest more time in it.

2.   Providing correct training

Your dog needs the correct training. Everything from potty training to walking is needed for the dog to learn. The training starts when the dog is a puppy, as that is the best learning phase. Your german shepherd will behave in odd ways and will probably not even listen to you if you don’t give him or her the required training.

3.   Familiarity and socialization

The dog must be familiar with its environment. It means that it should be comfortable with the people you interact with and even the other animals around. A german shepherd must keep calm during social interactions such as daily morning or evening walks. You have to teach him how to identify if something is dangerous and also teach him gestures that indicate him or her to calm down as everything is fine. Remember that German shepherds are guard dogs and very protective, so you need to handle socialization training at a very early stage.

4.   Play-time for exercise

A German shepherd is a very active dog. Owing to this nature, it is renowned in army services. Because of their hyperactive nature, you can get instant help in cases of threat and protection.

You should give your german shepherd playtime for exercise daily as it will boost their energy and keep them busy. Playtime will also make them happy, decreasing the chances of aggressive behavior.

If you don’t make time or laze around and ignore this exercise time, then it is not only risky for aggression but will also make your dog lazy as well. Research has shown that a German shepherd becomes like its owner over time.

5.   Fix a routine

Make a proper daily routine for your dog. From the time one wakes up to the time one goes to bed at night. Creating a routine will ensure that the German shepherd has something to look forward to, eventually decreasing aggression. However, keep the routine somewhat versatile and flexible so that the German shepherd is comfortable with unexpected changes as well.

6.   Use the power of food

Food can work wonders and persuade anyone. The same formula goes for dogs as well, including the German shepherd breed. As per source, even the smell of the food can work for a German shepherd and make him calm down. Food works excellently in diverting a dog. However, don’t use the food too much for persuasion or else two things may happen :

• This dog will completely lose his or her interest in the food.
• The German shepherd will demand food excessively and become aggressive if the demand is not fulfilled.

7.   Treats and rewards

Instead of adapting a punishing approach, you should rather try the reinforcement or rewarding approach. Rather than scolding or punishing the German shepherd every time he or she exhibits an undesired behavior, try rewarding the dog when he or she behaves according to what is desirable. It will encourage your dog to behave in that manner again and again for receiving the treats for or any other forms of reward. This reward can also be petting and showing affection.

8.   Bring them their favorite toy

Keeping a dog busy is very easy, especially when you have given the dog its favorite toy. It will definitely make your dog more energetic and happy and therefore decrease the level of aggression.

9.   Don’t do everything they want

It is indeed vital for you not to spoil your German shepherd by fulfilling all of its desires. Doing everything a dog wants can develop a dominating nature and the dog. The dog may not understand the meaning of no and become aggressive if you’re not able to do or bring something they want. It is important for you to make a balance and make the dog realize it cannot do anything it wants. Put the dog in situations wherein it fulfills a command before offering it what it wants. In this way, the dog will realize that he or she needs to follow the owner’s instructions.

10. Teach them Tricks

Teaching tricks is not only fun but can also help in calming german shepherds. This process is somewhat long and can be tough when you are not able to make the dog understand what you want. However, continuous efforts will bring out the desired outcomes. Offer your dog rewards once he or she learns the trick successfully. It will initiate the repetition of this behavior. In this way, your German shepherd will not only be happy and calm, but you will also have something to show off to your friends and other acquaintances.

The Final Words

German shepherds are adorable and can be your best friend. They are extremely protective of their owners. With proper training and following all the steps mentioned above, German shepherds can turn out to be the greatest and happiest fluffy balls ever. Thus, ensure that you consider the precautions mentioned above, along with following the essential steps that you must do for having a well behaved German shepherd.

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This guide will help you to pick the dog with original purebred features. While there are several ways to verify that the german shepherd dog is a pure breed or not, we have covered all the distinctive features below that will surely aid in simplifying the identification process for you!

10 Body Features That Help in Identifying A Purebred Original German Shepherd

1. Color

Colors have a significant role in portraying if a dog from German Shepherd is original in its breed or not. The variants found in colors of dogs from German shepherd breed are many, where eight patterns are most common – pure black, pure white, black and tan, etc.

Though most of the colors are permissible, strong colors have a greater say. Also, lighter colors, off colors, pale and washed are not the ones you are looking for if you want a purebred german shepherd. Furthermore, white dogs must never be selected since they aren’t part of an original breed at all. In comparison, the other colors are said to vary from one country to another. YOu can check playbarkrun‘s guide on german shepherd coat length and colors.

2. Fore and Hind Quarters 

The original German Shepherd’s forequarters are muscular with lengthy shoulder blades that are angled too. Along with this, the forefoot and hindfoot are proportioned similarly for moving simultaneously in opposite directions. The shoulder blades have a vibrant melange with the upper arm, intersecting at a right angle. Though the limbs are straight, the angles are oval-shaped and not round. 

According to the source, the pasterns, sloping part of foot found between fetlock and hook, are springy and valiant, and they form a twenty-five degrees angle from vertical. Also, with regards to Hind Quarters, a pure german Shepherd would possess broad and muscular hindquarters where the upper thigh could subsequently meet the lower thigh in ninety degrees.

3. Head 

The originally bred German Shepherd dog’s head is strong, noble, and purely chiseled. It shouldn’t be coarse. The size of the head also matters and ought to be proportionate to the entire body size having a keen and intelligent expression. The head of a male German Shepherd dog is distinctly masculine, whereas the head is distinctly feminine in the case of a bitch (female dog). The head is carried forward so high by the dog in times of great excitement and attention. However, the rest of the time, the head of the dog would be slightly higher than the shoulder’s top. Finally, the common expression is said to be quite composed as well as intelligent. 

4. Ears

There are a few considerations to be kept in mind while reviewing the originality of the dog from its ears. The first consideration is regarding the drooping of the ears in puppies of every breed. Many proud German shepherd owners share for other breed puppies; the ears droop may be sideways while for pure German Shepherd, the ears droop straight downwards.

As the pup grows to become an adult dog, it can be spotted in an instant because of the shape and sharpness of the ears. The dog’s ears will become significantly pointed, but not extremely. The size of the ears will also be proportional to the size of the entire head. Their head can be seen in such a way that both the ears’ central line runs parallel to each other and is perpendicular to the ground. Thus, a dog with drooping/cropped ears, even after growing, shouldn’t be taken at all.

5. Eyes

The eyes of each dog have many stories to say. This adage applies to the breed of German Shepherd too, and one can judge if a dog is a purebred original one, with its eyes also. The ideal original German Shepherd’s eyes are of medium size, resembles the shape of an almond. They do not protrude but are set slightly oblique. The color of the eyes is also preferred to be as dark in complexion as possible.

6. Teeth

The ideal original German Shepherd jaw has forty-two teeth, with the dentition, being twenty-two in the lower jaw, and twenty in the upper jaw. The upper and lower jaws are also strongly developed and have their blend in a scissors-bite. It is where a section of the upper incisors’ inner surface meets and confluences with the lower incisors’ external surface. There are preferences in choosing with respect to dentition. Complete dentition is always desired and preferred. 

Thus, a study shows that a dog with any teeth missing apart from the first set of premolars mustn’t be considered for the pure breed, and it is a severe fault to have missing teeth. At the same time, jaw with overshot/level bite is also not favored. In the same way, a dog with an undershot bite cannot be considered as well.

7. Coat

Facts show that an ideal dog from a German shepherd breed has a double coat, which is of medium length and can be wiry too. But, most importantly, the double layer of coat needs to be plush, implying that a fluffy coat must be found beneath the outer coat, which in turn gives the fur some volume. 

However, shorter coats are also accepted from standards. With regards to the outer coat, it has to be as voluminous as possible, roughly textured, and in close association with the body. The primary and common faults found in other non-original breeds are lengthy coats or curly/woolly/silky/open coats.

8. Feet

According to a reliable source, the feet of the original German Shepherd is usually short, round, and possess compact and well-arched toes. The footpads are tough and thick, but not rough or chapped. The footpads are also short, and the nails are dark, small, and strong. Also, the dewclaws might be found in the hind legs but shall be removed-front dewclaws are not removed usually but can be removed. The rear dewclaws must be removed, if any is found, in a few days after the birth.

9. Gait

As per official AKC standard, German Shepherd dogs are basically trotting dogs that have a greater outreach and an effortless stride where the maximum possible ground is covered with minimal effort. Thus, the gait of a dog, for it to be original German Shepherd, must be smooth, effortless, and in a rhythmic pattern which is accomplished with the hindquarters offering a mighty forward leap, that marginally lifts the dog and takes the body forward.

10. Tail

The tail of an original German shepherd is fluffy, set smoothly into the hindquarters with the last vertebra extending till the hock joint. Also, if the dog rests, the tail must hang in a smooth slight curve like a sword. Meanwhile, if the dog is in motion, the tail lifts and raises with a highly pronounced curve. Also, it is a must to consider the fact that the tail must never curl forward beyond the demarcated vertical line.

Closing note

It’s always amusing and rewarding to own a purebred original German shepherd. The amount of excitement, loyalty, assistance, commitment, intelligence offered by it is simply awe-inspiring.  But, one must carefully analyze their physical features like gait, eyes, ears, head, foot, etc. for choosing the right German Shepherd of original breed, if one aspires for a pure one.

Now that you have known about all the relevant information, we are sure you will be able to get the purebred dog easily. You may also check out different varieties of original german shepherd dogs before buying the right one!

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German Shepherd dogs are counted among the top breed that are smartest by behavior. Hailed from Germany, they are quick learners and rank high in canine royalty. Their appearance is more or less similar to a wolf. Earlier German Shepherds were called as herding dogs. Since their prime job was to herd sheep. But as time passes by, they evolve as one of an ineluctable breed. According to American Kennel Club, German Shepherd is the second-most registered breed.

German Shepherds are quite active dogs and easy to train. They are huge and speedy.  An adult German Shepherd weighs approximately 90 pounds and has a height of more than two feet. Compared to different families of dogs, the German Shepherd has an estimated life expectancy between seven to ten years. From the tops of their pointing heads to their thick bushy tails, they are noble creatures. Their eyes are almond-shaped and have large and sharp muzzles.

No doubt German Shepherds possess spectacular traits. But they also hold innumerable decent skills. We’ve curated a list of five common but powerful skills and traits. Here these are:

1. Trainable

The German Shepherd is a very intelligent breed and their intelligence can be harnessed by training them. They need mental stimulation regularly. They are quick learner as they are being trained. Early social interaction and puppy training programs are important, and completing behavioral training can further ensure that they develop into a resilient and well-mannered dog. The German Shepherd is rather a knowledgeable companion and an exceptional dog. Consistency and constructive reward-based preparation can yield outstanding outcomes.

2.  Great Watch Dog

One of the major qualities of German Shepherds is their guarding ability.  They are highly knowledgeable and understand commands very easily, it makes them a favored breed of the police dog.

They are quick to respond to the warning signals.They are widely used for military and police services because of their loyal and courageous nature. The German Shepherds are great at listening, learning, and obeying. They are amazing both in their appearance and nature, they have instincts to respond to the orders at any time of notice.

3. Possess strong drug detection capacity

As they are highly sensitive, they are being trained and used for different tasks. One such important task is to detect drugs. Whether it be a workplace, tunnels, air-crafts, etc., the drug dog sends the final level of warning regarding the identified drug by any method they have been taught to warn the trainer.

The German Shepherds are known as high-energy dogs and hold the potential to spend all their days outside. Due to their glands, they can smell 250 times   stronger than a normal human.Thereby, facilitating the proper work environment for Police or Military services.

4. Intelligent and highly adaptable

As mentioned, German Shepherds are noble and diligent in their respective jobs. Due to their strong intellect and agility, German Shepherds are now preferred as service dogs to help individuals with disabilities. Many German Shepherds have been qualified to participate in canine sports competitions.

The reason why German Shepherd dogs are quite renowned lies in the fact they are highly adaptable. They can easily adapt to any sort of lifestyle and living condition. Homes with a wide yard are suitable for German Shepherds, but they can quickly adjust to any living apartments as long as they are having ample exercise.

5. Loyal and Protective

The German Shepherds are loyal – they are alpha dogs. The standard German Shepherd personality expresses itself as an aversion to outsiders coupled with the deep maternal instinct of their kin. Well-built, Powerful, and Energetic German Shepherds are a perfect breed. They’re courageous and solid, with all the characteristics of a great working dog. Generally, they excel, physically, and mentally owing to their outstanding temperament. Being helpful and friendly to their masters is a hallmark of German Shepherd. They would become rather affectionate with their owners. The profound sense of loyalty and protection render the German Shepherds a fine protective dog. Nevertheless, adequate socialization and learning are required so that they do not become overly protective.

Conclusion

German Shepherds are astounding and well-muscled dogs in their work. It requires a lot of time, commitment, and knowledge to train them for their respective purpose.

The German Shepherds are often socially responsive and very polite. They can interact well with other dogs and socialize easily. They are really smart and love playing games, so obedience training would be typically simple and effective. They are great with children and that is what makes them perfect dogs for the home. They are safe, devoted family dogs that you should get if you are considering the same. They would light up your home with their existence because that’s how wonderful they are!

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