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Understanding Pet Problems

About a year after I purchased my dog, I realized that he was really struggling with his health. He just wasn't his lively self, and I was concerned that he was slowly dying. I decided to take him to a veterinarian to have his condition diagnosed, and we were able to learn a lot about his health. Within a few short months, he was on the road to recovery, and I was really grateful that I had done the work to make things better. This blog is all about understanding pet problems and knowing when to seek professional veterinary help.

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Understanding Pet Problems

Training German Shepherd Puppies

by Ann Nelson

German Shepherd dogs are known for their intelligence and loyalty. Many law enforcement agencies utilize these dogs due to their exceptional qualities. German Shepherds can make excellent family dogs as well; however, they do need more attention than your average dog. German Shepherds do well with rigorous training, since it teaches them your expectations. Here are three tips to help you train your German Shepherd puppy into the best dog they can possibly be:

1. Start training them as soon as possible.

In the past, some dog trainers recommended waiting until your puppy was six months old to begin training. Following this outdated guideline means you'll miss out on quality training time. You can start training your German Shepherd as soon as you bring them home from the dog breeder. Puppies can start learning basic commands such as "sit" as young as two months old. Training your German Shepherd puppy as early as possible means they will have less of a chance to develop bad habits.

2. Keep the training sessions short.

When it comes to humans, long learning sessions are usually better for retaining information. The opposite holds true for dogs. Short training sessions are more effective and less frustrating for your puppy. Puppies naturally have short attention spans that will lengthen as they grow older. Only train your puppy for as long as they're interested in the lesson. Several training sessions that last a couple of minutes each can be interspersed throughout your day. You want your puppy to form positive associations with training so they're eager to learn.

3. Find out what motivates your dog.

Each dog is an individual, and their personalities, likes, and dislikes will vary even within the same breed. Some dogs are highly motivated by food, which means you'll be able to use dog treats as a reward. Other dogs aren't food motivated at all but really enjoy attention. You can motivate these dogs with loving attention and long snuggling sessions. Other dogs love to run and play, and you may want to reward these puppies by giving them a few minutes of playtime with a favorite toy when they successfully complete a command.

A properly trained German Shepherd can be an excellent companion. Your daily training sessions will allow them to exercise their minds so they don't grow bored and destructive in your home. Feel free to experiment with different training techniques to find which ones work best for your puppy. Check out AKC-registered German Shepherd puppies for sale today.

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