The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the most loyal, energetic, and amazing companions you can ever have. They are incredibly smart, but being a large and active working breed, they have specific needs. Many owners unknowingly make mistakes that can lead to health or behavioral issues.
If you own a German Shepherd or are planning to get one, here are 10 things you should absolutely avoid doing, based on direct experience with this wonderful breed.
1. Never Leave Your GSD Ungroomed (Groom Them Regularly)
- German Shepherds are heavy shedders, and dog lovers jokingly call them “German Shedders.”
- Shedding is their natural characteristic, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it completely.
- The only thing you can do is comb their coat regularly and consistently.
- Brush their fur gently with a proper comb so that the extra loose hair keeps coming off.
- If you do not do this, you will find their hair everywhere—on your sofa, bed, floor, and clothes.
- So, it is always better to brush them daily and keep them well-groomed.
2. Do Not Bathe Them Too Frequently
- You should only bathe your German Shepherd when they are visibly dirty.
- Bathing them too regularly is not recommended for this breed.
- Unless your German Shepherd is very dirty or it is an extremely hot day, you should avoid giving them a bath.
- Along with this, make sure to clip their nails regularly.
- German Shepherds are highly energetic dogs that love to jump around; if their nails grow too long, they can accidentally hurt themselves.
- Cleaning their nose and ears is a basic part of regular grooming that should be done for every dog.
3. Not Providing Exercise is Like a Sin
- Never keep your German Shepherd without sufficient daily exercise.
- Keeping a German Shepherd completely inactive is nothing short of a sin.
- Because the German Shepherd is a working-class breed, they were literally bred to work and stay active.
- They are not “couch potatoes” at all—sitting quietly in one place with absolutely nothing to do is something they completely hate.
4. Don’t Skip Exercise Due to a Busy Schedule (Or They Will Get Aggressive)
- If you own a German Shepherd, you must make time for them, no matter how busy your schedule or work life is.
- You need to take your GSD out for a walk at least three times a day.
- Out of those three times, at least two sessions should include vigorous exercise, running, and heavy physical activity.
- If you do not have enough space or time to exercise them, do not get a German Shepherd; they won’t be the right dog for you.
- If you do not give them an outlet for their exercise, they can become highly aggressive. They have so much built-in energy, where else will they spend it?
- That trapped energy stays inside their body and eventually turns into aggression, making your GSD aggressive.
5. Never Underfeed or Overfeed Your Dog
- The German Shepherd is a large breed with very unique dietary requirements.
- If you underfeed them or just throw random leftovers their way, your German Shepherd will not thrive.
- They require a proper, structured diet. When they are puppies (4 to 7 months old), they need a specific diet; when they are young adults, it changes; and when they reach their senior years, their dietary needs are different.
- Never keep them underfed. Always consult a veterinary nutritionist or your pet’s veterinarian to get a proper diet chart.
6. Never Make Them Feel Lonely or Unloved
- Your GSD should never feel like you don’t love them.
- Your German Shepherd loves you unconditionally and can literally lay down their life for you.
- Whenever you come back home, spend quality time with them, play with them, and take them out for walks.
- It should never happen that you ignore them the whole day while your GSD just sits there staring at you, waiting for your attention.
- Take out proper time for them at least two to three times a day. When you pet them, give them your full attention instead of looking elsewhere.
7. Never Raise a GSD Without Proper Socialization
- You must socialize your German Shepherd right from their puppyhood.
- From the very beginning, introduce them to different people, children, and other dogs, and give them plenty of opportunities to mingle.
- If you raise them without proper socialization, you are going to face massive trouble when they grow up.
- They will start doubting every stranger, try to attack people, become overly territorial, and might even bite someone.
- They will constantly bark, snap, or fight with other dogs. If you want to avoid this, socialize them heavily from day one.
8. Do Not Keep Them Tied Up or Crated for Long Hours
- You should never keep a German Shepherd tied to a chain or locked inside a crate for an extended period.
- As mentioned earlier, this is a highly energetic working breed that loves to roam free, explore, and enjoy.
- This breed is built to stay on the move and work without getting tired easily.
- If you keep them tied up or locked in a cage out of fear or convenience, you will completely ruin the dog’s mental health.
- If you just want to keep a dog chained or crated, it is better not to get a dog at all. Let them roam freely and raise them according to their natural characteristics.
9. Never Confuse Them During Training Sessions
- German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, which is exactly why they are widely used in police, military, and security forces.
- You must never confuse them during their training.
- If you use a specific hand signal or command for something today, do not use that same signal for a completely different command four days later.
- If you don’t know how to train them yourself, hire a professional dog trainer.
- Just like you send your kids to school and pay their tuition fees, owning a large dog means you have to budget a little for their professional training so they grow up well-behaved.
10. Stop Feeding Them Table Scraps or Human Food
- Never feed your German Shepherd leftovers from your dining table or things your guests left behind.
- Our nutritional needs are completely different from theirs. Humans eat oily, spicy, and high-calorie food simply for taste and enjoyment.
- Feeding these things to your GSD will make them obsolete in no time and expose them to various dangerous health diseases.
- While you eat, they will look at you with innocent, begging eyes, and you will feel bad—but you must control yourself. Do not give in. That is the only way they will drop this begging habit. Their food and feeding timings must remain strictly separate from yours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How can I completely stop my German Shepherd from shedding?
Answer: You cannot completely stop a German Shepherd from shedding as it is a natural biological process. However, you can significantly control it by brushing them daily with a high-quality de-shedding tool and feeding them a nutrient-rich diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids.
Q2. Can German Shepherds live happily inside an apartment?
Answer: Yes, German Shepherds can adapt to apartment living, but only if you are strictly committed to taking them out for intense exercise, running, and walks morning and evening. They cannot be left inside a confined space all day without physical stimulation.
Q3. What makes a German Shepherd suddenly turn aggressive?
Answer: Aggression in GSDs typically stems from two main issues: a total lack of socialization during their puppy stage (making them fearful or hostile toward strangers) and pent-up energy caused by zero exercise or being kept chained up for long periods.
Conclusion
A German Shepherd is not just a pet; they are a dedicated family member who will stand by you through thick and thin. By avoiding these 10 common mistakes and providing them with a structured diet, heavy exercise, and lots of love, you will ensure your GSD grows into a healthy, balanced, and fiercely loyal companion.