Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
One of my favorite training exercises is “Watch Me”, and this is a very simple exercise that may save the life of your German Shepherd Dog. To begin, take a favorite treat and place your German Shepherd Dog in a sit-stay with you standing directly in front of them. Then allow them see the treat and hold it in front of your face then say your German Shepherd Dogs’ name followed by “watch me”. After they have watched the treat for a few seconds reward them with the treat. Repeat this several times.
After your German Shepherd Dog has mastered this simple exercise leave the treat in your pocket, but hold your hand up near your face. After they have watched your face for a few seconds reward them with a treat. Now no longer hold your hand to your face, but have them watch your face before rewarding them with the treat.
Kodi a Full time Service Dog Given an Impromptu “Watch Me” Command
Once this “watch me” exercise has been perfected by your German shepherd Dog, reinforce it everyday by having them watch you from different locations such as in the house, yard, or park. In addition, have them complete the “watch me” from different locations relative to you and while they are distracted with other activities such as chasing a ball.
If done correctly the command “watch me” should stop your German Shepherd Dog in their tracks with full attention focused on you. This simple exercise in combination with the “come” command may prevent your German Shepherd Dog from being hit by a vehicle or keep them away from other dangers. Grand Champion, Champion and full time service dogs was saved from harm when he accidentally got off lead in a parking lot and was headed straight towards an area where someone had drained their anti-freeze on the asphalt. A sharp “watch me” command stopped him in his track followed by a Kodi “come” command got Kodi to immediately return to his owner.
Grand Champion, Champion Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Queridad (Kodi)
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Today I would like to discuss demodectic mange, which is caused by the population explosion of the demodectic mite in hair follicles of the affected German Shepherd Dog. Demodectic mites are on all dogs, just the same as mites live on all humans. These microscopic creatures are natural, normal, and occur on all dogs. Most dogs’ immune system keeps the mite populations at a level, which does not present a problem for the dog. However, it is common to see a localized breakout of mites on German shepherd Dog puppies since their immune systems are not fully developed until they are several months old.
A localized case of mites is nothing to be overly concerned about. It will first present itself as a quarter to half-dollar size bald spot usually around the face and head. Demodectic mange usually will respond to treatment and as the puppy matures the outbreaks cease. We treat our German shepherd Dog puppies with Campho-Phenique by dabbing the sore spots with a cotton swab saturated in Campho-Phenique. Campho-Phenique kills the mites and treats and disinfects the secondary skin infection. Our German shepherd Dog puppies rarely have a case of localized demodectic mange, maybe less than one case a year, and we never have generalized mange, which is life threatening.
Generalized demodectic mange is a result of an immune disorder. The German Shepherd Dog that has generalized demodectic mange would have large infected bald spots all over its body. These infections and bald spots can cover so much of the skin that it can result in death.
Demodectic mange is not contagious to dogs or to humans. However, because it is believed to be a hereditary disorder, German Shepherd Dogs that have the generalized form of demodectic mange should not be bred.
Picture From Our Dog Show In Pine Bluff, AR
I am sorry that I have no pictures of mange to show you. It is so rare for our Heidelberg German Shepherds Dogs to have even the non threatening localized version of demodectic mange, we just do not have any pictures. Therefore, enjoy some nice pictures from our dog show trip.
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
We have all seen the overweight and obese German Shepherd Dog adult. Some of us may even be guilty of over indulging our German Shepherd Dogs with too many treats and not enough exercise.
Having your German Shepherd Dog adult overweight can be extremely detrimental to their overall health and can significantly shorten their expected lifespan. Obese and overweight German Shepherd Dogs are predisposed to diabetes, autoimmune disease, heart attack, stroke, and increased risk of cancer.
The best way that I have found to reduce the caloric intake of my obese or overweight German Shepherd Dogs is to add green beans to their food. I will cut their normal meals in half and replace the bulk with green beans. This way I do not get that sad look after they have finished as to say; “Hey where’s the rest of my food”. The shepherds will eat their meals and feel satisfied and lose weight because there are negligible calories in green beans.
For some us this would also be a good diet tip to simply add large portion of green beans to our meals to reduce the calories that we intake. In addition, to reducing our caloric intake for us and our German shepherd Dogs, a daily walk will help drop the pounds very quickly and will improve bonding between owner and dog.
A Lean German Shepherd Dog Walking an Overweight Owner
Okay before I have a lot of people thinking that I am being insensitive, the above reference to the fat owner is a joke on me. That is me walking Rex. A Few more walks and I will be down to my playing weight.
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
I am not a strong proponent of the use of shock collars for German Shepherd Dog training; however, they have their place, and can be used in a humane way. We sold a young teenager and future Champion, Heidelberg’s Trooper to a young man that had never owned a German Shepherd Dog. One of this man’s friends recommended a shock collar to train Trooper. Well the man purchased a two hundred dollar shock collar with a remote control and began to use it on trooper on his property. Trooper roamed about one-hundred-yards from his owner, and the man called Trooper to come. Well since the teenager, Trooper had only been with the new owner for a couple of days no bond had been developed and Trooper did not come immediately so the man applied a shock with his remote control. Trooper immediately came to the man and in a blur grabbed the shock controller out of the man’s hand and bit the remote control in half. The nice young man did not have the temperament for a German Shepherd Dog as smart as Trooper. Fortunately for us and Trooper’s current owners the man returned Trooper to us and we refunded his money, but he did lose two-hundred dollars on a broken shock collar.
Champion Trooper at His Championship Win is Pictured With the Children He Now Lives With
A more appropriate use of a shock collar on our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs is when a family has purchased two males or two females from us, and one of the same sex dogs wants to exert dominance over the other dog. Usually this situation occurs when a family purchases a German Shepherd Dog from us and returns in a year or so to purchase another German Shepherd Dog puppy of the same sex. The older shepherd will want to dominate the younger puppy. As the puppy grows older and starts to mature this show of dominance may develop into aggressive attacks that leave the puppy with bite marks and scars.
To bring a quick stop to this and to protect the puppy physically, as well as their emotional development, the use of a shock collar is appropriate. The approach to this is simple and every time the dominant German Shepherd Dog shows aggression towards the younger shepherd the owner applies a single shock to stop the aggression. Once the shock is applied the aggressor usually will retreat, but if they do not additional shocks should be applied. It usually only takes four separate shock events to stop this aggressive behavior.
In addition, as a follow up to the use of the shock collar, the owner(s) must become the pack leader and foster a genial relationship between the two shepherds. Sharp and consistent verbal rebukes are required any time either shepherd asserts dominance. Two Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs of the same sex can have a gregarious and friendly relationship in the same house if the owner will assume the position of pack leader and not allow any dominance competition between the two dogs.
Heidelberg’s Bogie and Young Rex, Two Heidelberg Male Shepherds Living Together As Best Friends
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Today, I would like to discuss German Shepherd Dog bonding. Throughout the year, we have a small percentage of our German Shepherd Dogs returned. These are shepherds that we have sold as puppies and returned are in every case due to a family tragedy including illness, divorce, job loss, etc. We are pleased to take these older puppies and young adults back and re-home them.
These returned German Shepherd Dogs are highly bonded to their original family members and after a couple of weeks it is obvious that they miss their former lives and family. However, our German Shepherd Dogs will bond with their new owners within in a couple of weeks after they are taken to their new home.
Within a month if provided with love and attention, our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs will bond completely with the new family. Even a ten-year-old dog would bond with its new owner if the new owner provides the needed time and love. Many times, if the owner shows more affection and spends more time with the re-homed German Shepherd Dog than the former owners, the new bond is even closer than the former. I believe that Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs are smart enough to actually appreciate and reflect upon their current and former lives.
Kisses Are the First Step to Bonding
If you do not want to get a new puppy and would prefer a completely trained and socialized teenager or adult then consider adopting one of our returned German shepherd Dogs. They are guaranteed to fill your heart with joy.
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