Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Choosing the perfect puppy with the personality that best fits your family’s lifestyle and needs can be quite easy once you have decided on the correct reputable breeder.First, you must ask yourself what you want.Are you a jogger that needs a running partner and added security while running public trails?Are you a homebody and not that active?Are you an entertainer and have several people over to your house on a regular basis?Do you live in a bad neighborhood and worry about being burglarized every time you leave your house?Do you live on acreage and have farm animals such as chickens?These are just some of the questions that you may want to answer before to choosing a specific puppy from a particular litter.While if the breeder has done his job well all the puppies in the litter should have the same general temperament, the puppies are individuals and will have different personalities and propensities for certain behaviors.
Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The following analysis is based upon my interpretation of the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (Volhard).While I do not accept the theory that there are distinct puppy personality types, I do believe that there is a continuum of personality traits and those puppies can be graded on this scale with some degree of accuracy for discussion purposes.It also must be noted that different litters develop at different rates and that a puppy at eight weeks that grades as a submissive puppy may actually be a very dominate puppy if reexamined at ten weeks.We have used the Volhard for many years and believe it an useful tool for predicting personality tendencies. However, Volhard is not completely accurate in predicting the adult temperament of a German shepherd Dog because environment including training, socializing, life experiences, and time spent with the new owner is more critical for the final expressed personality of the German Shepherd Dog. The below discussion delves into personality types that the new puppy customer should observe and consider while selecting a puppy from a litter.
Cute German Shepherd Puppy Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The more dominant puppy will appear to be the more rebellious puppy with a lot demonstrated independence.This puppy will not like being held for any period of time and the most dominant puppies will actually try to bite at the person holding them.Dominant puppies will resist the new owners attempt to be the pack leader.This is not the German Shepherd Dog for the new or inexperienced owner.These dogs will make excellent herding dogs and home protection dogs if properly trained.A more dominant puppy would be good for a family placing home protection as a priority or for a rancher wanting help with herding farm animals. However, if improperly trained these can be the dogs that chase cows rather than herd them.Also, for the jogger that is an experienced German Shepherd Dog owner, the more dominant puppy would be good choice.
The independent puppy will not grade as a high in dominance as the dominant German shepherd Dog.However, the independent puppy is dominant, but will be a little more accepting of an inexperienced owner and not look to take the leadership role every time the owner exhibits submissive behaviors.The independent puppy has high confidence and will readily try and explore new things.These self-assured puppies are naturally protective and are not generally too aggressive, but in improper hands may demonstrate dog and/or people aggression.
Cute German Shepherd Puppy Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
The docile German Shepherd Puppy is a good choice for most families and while the moniker of docile sounds derogatory it actually describes a solid, confident puppy that is willing to learn.The docile puppy will be protective, but accepting of strange animals and people. This personality type would be great for families with young children that have very active social lives.
How do I choose
The docile/affectionate German Shepherd Dog puppy will be much as the docile puppy, but requires more affection and reassurance from their owners.These also make excellent puppies for large active families with children.These puppies will often become involved in play or an activity, stopping suddenly to return or look towards the owner as if to ask permission to continue.These dogs would rate as low to medium submissive.
The last puppy personality type is the timorous or true submissive dog that lacks confidence or has very low self-assurance.These puppies are most suited for inactive elderly people that will spend several hours a day with their puppy.With the correct owner these puppies can develop self-confidence and become great companions.They should not be considered if home protection is a priority. These will be the puppies that will run or hide from new people after age of ten-weeks-of-age.
Our Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs’ personalities generally will range from low dominate to docile/affectionate, which is the personality types that most families are realistically looking for in a German Shepherd Dog. Unless you are a professional trainer that trains military or police attack dogs, you would not want a high dominant dog. The high dominant dog is rare and can become a complete disaster for the dog and new owner if in the wrong hands.
Before scrutinizing the litter you will be choosing your new German shepherd puppy from, you should have fair idea of the personality type that best fits you and your family. Start by getting the entire litter out and observe the litter as the puppies are playing around you. After observing and making mental notes for several minutes play with the puppies and pick them up while trying to recognize specific behaviors such as timidness and confidence. Also, note any aggressive behavior towards the other puppies. Notice any puppies that tend to wander off to explore on their own. These puppies are likely more independent and self-confident and may be a little more of a challenge to train. Ask the breeder his opinion of each of puppy’s personalities.Utilize his opinions because the breeder knows these puppies better than anyone.Also, if the breeder has employees that clean the kennels and feed the puppies and if they are present, ask them for their opinion.
Once you have narrowed your choice down to two or three puppies based on personality types, ask the breeder to put up all the puppies except your two or three choices.Only now start making your decisions on physical attributes such as structure, size, coat length, coat color, markings, etc., respectively.I recommend that you make your decision in the above order giving priority to structure over size, etc.Structure is the most important to form and function and the overall beauty of your German Shepherd Dog.
Heidelberg German Shepherd Puppies are Cute
Good luck and I hope that this has been helpful in choosing your next German Shepherd Dog puppy.
Because this is probably one of the most important discussions I can have regarding German Shepherd Dogs, I will be editing these three posts and adding to them over the next couple of weeks with the plan to add this discussion as a new page on my web page so please revisit these posts as they are refined and improved.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Now that you have decided on what you believe to be a reputable breeder, you must then visit this breeder to make sure that they have well cared for and high quality German Shepherd Dogs.Upon your visit examine the overall health of all the dogs and notice if the kennels are clean and well maintained. Does the place smell bad of urine and feces? If the kennel does not pass this initial examination, you may need to move onto another breeder.Once you do find a reputable breeder with well-maintained dogs and kennels, you need to know that there are myriads of different types of shepherds with different looks and different functions. These differences may not be readily apparent to the average puppy buyer.Therefore, it may take several visits to different breeders to find the reputable breeder that is producing the right type of shepherd for you and your family.A reputable breeder does not always translate into good quality German Shepherd Dogs that are right for you or your family.Therefore, you must assess the actual German Shepherd Dogs especially the adults and parents.Because the related adults at the kennel especially the parents are going to be the best predictors of the temperament and structure of the new puppy.
Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
If you have chosen a breeder that specializes in imports be aware that many of these German Shepherd Dogs are high-strung and are full of nervous energy.Unless, you and your family members are prepared to spend several hours a day exercising and training an import shepherd may not be the best choice. For several years, the breeders in Europe have bred their German shepherd Dogs to increase the drive and energy of their lines.This is because the sport of Schutzhund requires a high drive dog, and the higher the drive the more successful the breeder will be in competitions. While this is a noble pursuit for dogs that will be used professionally in law enforcement activities, this does not translate well for the family dog. In addition, some imported German Shepherd Dog lines are people and/or dog aggressive.Do you and your family have the skills to deal with an aggressive dog?Note that not all imports are high-strung; those that originate from the show lines in Germany have steadier temperaments and often make wonderful companions for families, as well as offering home protection.
When visiting the kennel to discuss the potential purchase of a new puppy be sure and go around to all the kennels and visit each of the breeder’s dogs. Observe their behavior.If you are greeted with a serious barking and aggressive behaviors at several kennel this is an indication of the aggressive behavior that would be exhibited by your new puppy once grown.However, if you are greeted by an excited bark this indicates less aggression and a more relaxed temperament.Will the German Shepherd Dogs come greet you through the fence by smelling and licking your hand or do they retreat to the back of the kennel?A retreating German Shepherd Dog could potentially be a dangerous dog that could be a fear biter that could get you sued. Retreating or showing fear towards strangers is not the correct German Shepherd Dog temperament, and is a big clue that these may not be the right German shepherd line for you to get your next puppy from.
Champion Heidelberg’s Stefanie Stretched Out In Her Stack
Notice if the kennels are heavily chewed or if excessive digging behaviors are observable. Again, these are indicative of behaviors that your new puppy may demonstrate at home.Is there incessant barking coming from the kennels even after you have been there for a while?This may indicate a barking problem when your puppy is grown.Ask to see the dogs outside the kennel.Will these dogs allow you to greet them and to pet them?If the breeder is reluctant to let the dogs out of the kennel this is a major warning sign, and perhaps it is time to move on to the next kennel to purchase your next German shepherd Dog. Be observant and ask questions and listen to see if the breeder’s answers ring true to you.
We at Keystone German Shepherds & kennels breed an even tempered German Shepherd Dog that are a true pleasures to live with inside and/or outside. However, while friendly towards welcomed strangers and children our dogs would readily give their lives to protect us and our property.Our Heidelberg German Shepherds can discern the difference between a stranger and a truly bad person; therefore they will not get you sued for biting someone because if they do bite someone that person will be going to jail.
Heidelberg’s Shae Playing In the Rock Garden
When someone first arrives at our kennels, the first thing that they will notice is that there is no odor. The next thing they will notice is how quiet it is on our property. Our Heidelberg German Shepherds will first alert bark when strangers come in, but once we go outside to greet the people, the dogs know that all is well and they will quietly observe us and the potential puppy customer.Our kennels are not chewed or dug up.Strangers can go from kennel to kennel and be greeted by a kiss to the hand from every dog on the property without any aggressive or fearful behavior being exhibited.
My next post will be a continuation of this series in “Choosing a Reputable Breeder” and the “Correct Type of German Shepherd Dog for You and Your Family” to actually “Choosing the Perfect Puppy With the Personality That Best Fits Your Family’s Lifestyle and Needs”.Because this is probably one of the most important discussions I can have regarding German Shepherd Dogs, I will be editing these posts and adding to them over the next couple of weeks with the plan to add this discussion as a new page on my web page so please revisit these posts as they are refined and improved.
Basic Obedience Class At Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hello, today I’m going to provide a very important tip in regards to training and the correct use of choke chains. First, before using a choke chain the German shepherd puppy should be leash and collar trained. A choke chain should never be used to leash-break a German shepherd puppy. Choke chains are misnamed because the proper use of the choke chain for training is not to choke the German shepherd dog, but rather as a correction and control tool. The correct use of the choke chain is to quickly and sharply tighten then release the chain.
To have the choke chain to work properly it must be correctly placed on the German Shepherd puppy. Many novice are not aware that a choke chain can incorrectly be placed on the German shepherd dog. Below illustrates the correct way to place the choke chain on the German shepherd puppy:
If placed incorrectly on the German shepherd puppy as shown above, the choke chain will not release correctly. The choke chain will remain tight, thus the German shepherd puppy will not get the proper correction and will continuously be choked during the exercise.
The choke chain correction includes the auditory signal to the German shepherd puppy of the links clicking during the tightening and release, as well as the sudden tightening and then release around the neck. The rapid release also allows for several sharp corrections in a row, which is very effective in healing training if the German shepherd puppy is being distracted by smells on the ground or moving off the incorrect direction of travel.
In addition, it is extremely important to place the correct size chain on your German shepherd puppy. Too long a chain will allow the chain to slide down low on the neck during training and too tight is obviously uncomfortable and ineffective for correcting your German Shepherd puppy. Ideally for the most efficient control and corrections, the choke chain should remain high upon the German shepherd dog’s neck, just under the chin. This is why proper size is important to keep the chain high on the neck of your German shepherd puppy without having to make continuous adjustments to its position. Even a physically small or weak owner of a large and powerful German shepherd dog can maintain control with a correctly sized choke chain that is positioned high on German shepherd dog’s neck
Ask me any questions and I promise to provide my opinion.
Recent Comments