Pets

Leaving your German Shepherd home alone

If you own a German Shepherd, then you know that of all the large breeds, this dog is highly intelligent and extremely loyal. However, the German Shepherd is very energetic and needs work. This is a working dog, and for that reason they are best as guide dogs and police dogs. They are generally not recommended for use as family pets.

If you want a German Shepherd as a pet, choose a puppy that comes from a show dog line, as it would be less eager to work. A puppy from a show line would still grow to the same size, still be a beautiful German Shepherd, and still require the same amount of exercise to keep it less destructive.

Left home alone, German Shepherds can be very destructive. Their destruction leads not only to digging up the sofa and knocking things over, but they will chew up the skirting boards and other structures.

The German Shepherd can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone, leading not only to destructive behavior, but also to continuous barking and howling. They are very social dogs and need the company of their owners most of the time.

If you must leave your dog alone for an extended period of time, here are some things you can do:

• If your dog is sociable, you can take him to a doggy daycare.

• Since dogs are burrowing animals, the German Shepherd is no exception. Crate your dog while you’re gone. Make sure she has water and a soft rug or blanket to lie on. Your dog will feel safe in such a small space.

• Get a dog walker. German Shepherds love to have people around them and a dog walker can spend time walking and playing with their dog.

• You can keep your dog entertained with a new toy and a place to look out the window. Also, leave your TV on and a radio on softly in another room. This gives the dog the feeling that he is not alone.

• If you have a regular pattern of doing things that the dog will associate with being left alone, change those habits. These clothes can be as small as leaving something by the door for you to pick up when you leave, or kissing your wife and children. Something as simple as putting on a pair of shoes that you would normally wear when you leave the house will trigger the knowledge that he will be home alone.

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