So, you want to get a German Shepherd puppy for the first time. You do not know if it is safe around kids or other pets. You are here because our articles have helped you in the past so I am going to jump straight into it and answer this question for you once and for all!
Is a german shepherd scary?
We at Animal Wised will tell you everything there is to know about this beautiful breed. We will give you some insight on how they behave with children, cats, dogs, and even strangers.
German Shepherds are widely known as being one of the most popular breeds in the world. Whether it be as police dogs or as family pets, these dogs have been with us throughout history as true companions. We will not go deep into their history here, but if you would like to find out why they are so popular, take a look at our article on the origin of German Shepherds.
So you want to know if this beautiful creature is safe with your children or not? What about cats? Or could it be that he might attack other dogs? That’s what we are here for! If you read on, you will get all your questions answered and more!
Of course, each dog is different and no two dogs behave completely the same way. As such, GSDs may react in ways which can seem strange or worrying at first. These behaviors should always be interpreted within the unique context of the dog-owner-environment dynamic. Since we want to help you understand that your German Shepherd will not attack, maul or cause trouble, we need to explain how it may behave in different scenarios which you might come across during their life with you.
When a puppy, the German Shepherd is often curious, playful, and always up for a bit of adventure. He can be quite boisterous which means he needs a home where there are no toddlers around since he could knock them over by accident. It is important that when they are puppies, children know how to handle dogs in a positive manner. They also need to learn how dogs interact with each other safely and respectfully. If your child plays roughly or hurts the dog then both of them can become scared.
One family dog
When they are older, German Shepherds are fun, affectionate, and always ready to spend time with their family. Even though the breed is widely known as being “one family dog”, that does not mean that they cannot have a life outside of it. If you do not have children, then your GSD will be just fine on his own for 3-4 hours while you are at work. He needs exercise first thing in the morning, so if he has no yard or other space to run around, you may need to take him for walks throughout the day.
As long as they get enough exercise, this breed tends to be quite relaxed indoors. They are happy lounging around watching TV all evening by your side. They are very clean dogs, so they won’t mind if you do not have a yard or garden. A quick run outside before bed is usually enough to wear them out for the evening.
German Shepherds can be great with children if they are introduced to each other at an early age and raised together. However, it is important that everyone who interacts with him knows how to handle dogs safely. That means no running around or screaming since this will make the dog nervous, which might lead to biting. Children should always know how to behave around dogs, especially when playing, hugging, or cuddling with them. If your child does any of these things then wait until the dog has calmed down before approaching him again.
German Shepherds are very suspicious by nature. So if someone approaches the house, he will immediately go on alert. It is important that you socialize with him from a young age so he does not get scared of strangers or start to attack them! He will still be friendly and welcoming once they have calmed down. In order to get there, you must ensure your GSD sees many people of different races and ages while being handled carefully.
This dog has a strong prey drive which means any small animals can become a target. Luckily, GSDs do not just kill for fun , but because it’s in their blood to want to chase something which feels like prey. If your cat likes playing with string or toy mice then make sure that your German Shepherd does not get hold of them. Both the cat and the dog could be severely injured if he chases something which fights back!
However, if your cat is unfriendly or mean to the GSD, then there can be problems. The German Shepherd will not appreciate someone at his home who threatens him, even if it is only with their eyes. He will growl and show his teeth in order to let them know they should go away. If the intruder continues to act like this around him, then he might attack. Also, if your cat tries to scratch or bite him, then you must separate them before someone gets hurt!
Your German Shepherd will most likely chase cats since they are fast moving and unpredictable, but they are also very curious! If you have a pet rabbit then he might be tempted to sniff it out. Make sure that there is no way for him to access the hutch or cage without your help. Rabbits do not appreciate being chased and will lash out at predators with their powerful back legs!
German Shepherds are also good with other dogs if they are introduced to each other while still young. They especially love playing with those of the same sex since matches can get quite competitive! However, some dominant males may only tolerate the company of female dogs who act submissive towards them. He will happily live alongside small dogs as long as he was raised with them from an early age, otherwise, he might see them as prey!
Although some German Shepherds are known to be aggressive towards other dogs, it is more common for them to try and befriend them. If your dog starts to growl or show his teeth while meeting another dog, then you must act quickly . Greeting each other with kisses might seem cute, but there are always two dogs involved who could get hurt! Always have someone on hand just in case things get out of hand so they can pull the dogs apart before it comes to that. Also, never let your German Shepherd off-leash if he has not been taught how to behave around other animals.
It is important that you socialize him from a young age so he does not develop behavior problems later on in life. If he is not taught that other dogs and animals are to be respected while playing, then he might attack them and cause serious injury. Biting and growling at people who approach the house can also become an issue if it is not nipped in the bud early on.
German Shepherds love chasing scents so they will follow their nose wherever it takes them! It is important that you get him trained on a leash from a young age (before he discovers what fun it is to explore!) So that even if he does see something interesting, like another dog, he comes back when you call him. Make sure that your dog sits and stays whenever someone new approaches the home or there could be problems with visitors later on! Your German Shepherd will also want to meet everyone he sees on walks, so you should never let him get his way in this regard. Everyone who meets your new German Shepherd will want to pet him, but it is important that you control this. Your dog needs to learn how to behave around people while they are still young so that problems do not develop later on. Teach everyone in the family how to approach and touch him gently while praising him for being a good boy. Make sure you give all visitors some tasty treats so he associates them with something positive!
Positive energy
Your German Shepherd will enjoy playing games like fetch where he can use his powerful jaws. He also likes playing tug of war if taught properly since it builds up muscles which might come in handy later on. However, it is important that you are the one to give him the tugger since letting him win will cause problems in the future. If he thinks that he can overpower you whenever he wants, then you might have a serious issue on your hands!
German Shepherds love using their noses so they should be given plenty of games where they get to explore. Most people think of frisbees when they imagine these games, but soccer balls are also good for getting them airborne quickly! You can keep his energy levels up for hours with this game while having fun together at the same time. Always supervise him when playing outside though since he could end up chasing after smaller animals
German Shepherds love attention so they should be taught how to behave around children. Make sure everyone knows not to tease him since he could be protective of the kids if someone oversteps their boundaries.
The best place for your German Shepherd is outdoors in a secure area or inside the house where he will feel comfortable and safe! If you do put him outside, then make sure that there are no holes which might lead under fences as he will find these irresistibly interesting! He is also good with cats as long as you train him from a young age, but it’s better to keep them apart until you know exactly what his relationship is like with felines.
Take care of following things
German Shepherds love spending time with their owners, especially when they go on regular walks. It is important that you teach him not to pull on the leash since it could damage his throat otherwise.
German Shepherds are big dogs with lots of energy, so they need regular exercise! If he has a yard to run around in then all the better, but make sure you take him for walks regularly or he will become bored and destructive indoors!
Training
German Shepherds love being given tasks to do, so training them should be fun but challenging for both of you . Try out games where they have to find hidden objects, as this keeps them thinking while also giving them some time off from regular obedience work. Take your dog everywhere with you when you can because it’s important that he gets used to being in new situations so that he doesn’t become afraid later on.
Your German Shepherd is very intelligent, so they learn things quickly if you train them with patience. Keep sessions short so that they remain focused, then end on a positive note before your dog becomes bored or anxious. Always praise them when they do well since this will help build up trust between you both.
German Shepherds are loving dogs who adore spending time with their owners, but they can be aggressive towards other animals when they are not trained properly! It is important that you control any bad habits early on to prevent these problems from occurring later in life.
FAQS
Is a German Shepherd frightening?
German Shepherds may appear frightening, yet they are quite affectionate! You may have met a German Shepherd who wasn’t properly taught, but German Shepherds are loyal, affectionate, and intelligent.
What makes German Shepherds nervous?
They may be terrified of being alone, of the dark, of the vacuum, of other creatures, and so on. But it’s our obligation as pet owners to do everything we can to help them conquer or manage their fears so they don’t become a crippling source of distress. And the owners of one German Shepherd managed to capture his terror on film.