Whether you’re learning how to crate train a german shepherd or just determining if it is safe for your dog, know that most dogs love their crates. This is because in the wild, dogs seek out small and safe locations they can burrow into for warmth and safety. A crate performs that wonderfully, giving them a safe space that is theirs alone. Dogs that have wide open spaces often have trouble differentiating their “home” from it, and will grow anxious trying to control and patrol the entire space. 

Ideally, you will crate train your german shepherd as a puppy. Full grown dogs get anxious about crate training because they haven’t lived in that small space before. In the beginning, your german shepherd pup may be upset, but it will adapt more quickly, especially if it has not had the opportunity to sleep in your bed with you. 

The best place to put a crate is in the family room or den, where many people will be. Keep the crate in your bedroom at night so your dog feels safe with you around. Eventually, after a month or so, you should be able to leave them in one place, but for now, be close to keep them calm and safe. 

The three things you need to put in the crate with the puppy are water, a toy to chew on, and enough room to sleep comfortably. The crate should be only big enough for him to sleep in. If he can walk around in it, he may make a mess in it. The main thing is that the german shepherd has room to turn around in its crate so it can be comfortable. 

When you’re learning how to crate train a german shepherd puppy, make sure you do not pull the dog out if he’s upset about something. This will only teach the puppy that if he makes a fuss, you’ll give him attention. Only let the puppy out if he has been quiet for 5 minutes or more. At that point you should lavish him with attention and perhaps a treat so he knows he has been good. 

At first, try to leave your puppy in the crate for short periods of time – an hour or two at a time. Eventually as the german shepherd puppy grows, you can increase this time so it is a full night of sleep or equal to your entire workday.

If you learn how to crate train a german shepherd properly, you’ll be able to ensure your dog never gets too loud, destructive, or anxious when you leave. On top of that, german shepherd puppies adapt much quicker and that means less stress on everyone in the household. 

It’s vital to recognize that the degree of dog training, housebreaking and instruction required will commonly be based on your dog. Some breeds are decidedly smart and will likely learn promptly based on your puppy training strategies. If your pet doesn’t react positively as swiftly as you deduce that it should, merely spend extra time working with him/her and you’re sure to have a perfectly-trained puppy in no time.

Observe your puppy in a few situations and you’ll rapidly recognize what he likes and dislikes or how he is feeling. You will then be able to take steps to grant him more of what he likes and more support, self assurance and guidance in conditions he finds exceedingly challenging.  Dogs are intelligent pets and they learn from experience.

Whenever you plan to attempt obedience training with your puppy, be certain that you have his/her preferred treats on hand to provide as a reward. Also, puppy training should be began at a time that is calm for both you and your puppy. If he/she is troubled about something, it is not likely that the training plan will be rewarding. Preferably, your dog should be relaxed and ready to focus attention on the training job at hand.

In no way ever make use of physical punishment as a manner of puppy training. This is going to merely end up in your animal being scared or afraid when you are near. In place of that, reward positive actions and pay no attention to them if they fail to respond on command. For instance, if you direct your animal to “sit”, softly push down on his/her backside and repeat the directive. When your animal is sitting down, reward him/her with a treat and compliments. If your pet refuses to sit, walk away and try again in a couple of minutes. Training takes time and patience, but should never consist of your animal feeling scared of you.  If your puppy becomes exhausted, fearful, worried or even aggressive, you must halt the training and reassure your dog immediately.If you’ve been training for more than 15 minutes stop and take a break.

You are not training horses, so delight yourself and have a great time with your soon to be best friend.

You know how, in general, low-fat and fat-free versions of regular foods don’t truly push weight loss in people trying to lose weight; and, how we’re all healthier  eating adequate portions of the real substance instead of stuffing our faces with low nutrient foods.

The same goes for your dog. He also requires nourishing with real food not diet dog food.

It’s recently been reported that low-calorie or “diet”  dog food, not only doesn’t help our favorite friends lose pounds , it is possible that it actually contribute/s to their weight problems .

The cause of this is the number of calories in a measure of dog food can alter radically , with consensus to the study , recently brought to light in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association — as there are up to 200 calories per suggested levels . This means that If your dog eats three measures per day, as does Ben , then that would mean that she could be eating an extra 600 unintended calories.

My dog has toiled with unhealthy weight his complete life because of a thyroid condition.  He also suffers from a condition  which makes her feel hungry all the time. 

Trying him on a low-calorie diet dog food has never worked to help her to lose weight.   I now recognize why diet dog food doesn’t work .

The two optimal treatments that I have used that work best, are:

• regular exercise
• portion control

It is necessary that you take your faithful friend out on a walk each day.  Increase the length of the walk as your faithful friend escalates in health .  Do not presume that a very overweight dog to be able to run around a field or walk for miles at the commencement of her new weight loss treatment .  This has to be built up slowly. 

One of the painless methods for portion control is to mark on the food scoop meticulously how much your dog can have .  Make aware that all members in the house are aware of how to feed and when to feed your dog.  Also do not give food treats as a reward for accomplishment or good behaviour.  

Treat positive behaviour with a stroke - this is much kinder for your dog and it is a positive habit for everyone, including children to get into.  You are not denying your dog love by not giving food treats.  This is important for all members of the family to act upon .

To Summarize

If your dog is overweight do the following:

1. Talk to your vet about food recommendations , and about portion levels .
2. have your dog looked over for common illnesses which do cause weight problems .
3. Read labels, the same as you do when you purchase your own provisions . 
4. Stick with one food. Find a brand your dog likes , which you can afford, follow the advise from your vet concerning the correct portion size. 
5. If your dog is increasing in   (or isn’t losing ) weight talk to   your vet about how to safely reduce the quantity and type of food you give him each day. 
6. Exercise your dog every day in a way that’s safe and suitable for her breed. 
7. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG DIET DOG FOOD.

Some dogs react fearfully to thunderstorms or strangers, or react to people of a certain sex or age. Other dogs can show signs of aggresive behaviour toward other animals or even against humans. Even the task of the owner yelling at a dog can turn a commonly carefree dog into an extremely nervous one. 

A dog is by nature a creature of habit , they always lay in the same place or play with the same toy -  so when their regular routine is abruptly altered it can very easily make the dog insecure .  Classic examples are when you are sick and are unable to take them on their regular walks, or perhaps the arrival of a new baby or even simply a lot of guests .  It is very crucial that in these circumstances you take time to make your dog feel ensure your dog feels secure and at ease while they are used to the new ways.

It is extremely important for your dog to have their own area where they can relax - It is useful to have a blanket or bed in one space with a fewplaythings to keep them occupied and not let them get bored.  When you have picked this spot it is best not to alter it too much as this is extremely upsetting for your dog.

Young dogs ( and even aged ones) that are left alone for long stretches of time can suffer from separation anxiety. As domesticated pets they do attain an extremely powerful bond to their owners.  A dog suffering from seperation anxiety will in general display the following traits :

• the dog is always following you around at home
• the dog stays close to things that smell of you
• when you leave the house they chew personal items of yours
• the dog goes mad when he greets you and stays clingy
• the dog sleeps near to you
• all this happens if you are away for a short period of time

So now we realise a lot of our bad dog behaviour and dog biting problems are caused by anxiety, what is the best method to treat our anxious dogs? 

I really do not advocate medicinal drug as it is not only expensive it can have nasty side effects.  One great way of curing your dogs is aromatherapy, it is an effective, yet safe method of treating anxiety and nervousness in dogs, for whatever reasons .

The video below gives an aromatherapy recipe you can try on your dogs:

It is important you keep this formula in a sealed dark glass bottle.

When trying aromatherapy for the first time on your dog you must test a small area of skin to ensure the skin does not react . If you do not want to apply the oil directly to your dogs skin you can use a diffuser that will slowly release the scent into the air. You must not use this recipe on or near cats as some essential oils for dogs can be toxic for cats.

Some dogs react fearfully to thunderstorms or people they do not know, or simply take a disliking to people of a certain sex or age. Other dogs develop aggresive behaviour toward other animals or more worryingly toward humans. Even the task of an owner shouting at a dog can turn a usually peaceful dog into an extremely nervous one. 

A dog is a creature of habit , they always tend to lay in a certain spot or play with the same toy -  so when their usual routine is suddenly altered it can very easily make the dog feel insecure .  Good examples are when you are not well and just can’t take them for their normal exercise, or the arrival of a new born or even simply a houseful of visitors .  It is very crucial that in such instances you take a little time to make your dog feel ensure your dog feels safe and calm while they are used to the new routines.

It is important that your dog has their own spot where they can relax - They should have a dog bed or blanket in one area with some toys to keep them amused and make sure they do not get bored.  When you have decided on this spot you should try not to alter it too much as this is very upsetting for your dog.

Young dogs ( and even senior ones) that are left by themselves for long stretches of time can feel separation anxiety. As domesticated animals they do attain a very strong connection with their masters.  When a dog is suffering from separation anxiety they will in the main display the following characteristics :

• the dog is always following you around the house
• the dog is always near to things that smell of you
• when you leave the house they chew personal items of yours
• on greeting you the dog goes beserk and stays clingy
• the dog sleeps with you
• this occurs even if you are only away for a short period of time

So now we realise a lot of our bad dog behaviour and dog biting problems are caused by anxiety, what is the best way to treat our anxious dogs? 

I personally do not recommend medicinal drug as it is not only costly it can result in unpleasant reactions.  One natural way of curing your dogs is aromatherapy, it is a very effective safe way to treat anxiety and nervousness in dogs, whether it be because of a thunderstorm or separation anxiety .

Watch this video to see an aromatherapy formula you can try on your dogs:

It is important you keep this recipe in a sealed dark glass bottle.

When trying aromatherapy for the first time on your dog you must test a small patch of skin to verify the skin does not react . Rather than applying the oil directly onto your dogs skin you can use a diffuser that slowly releases the scent into the air. You must not use this recipe on or near cats as some essential oils for dogs can be toxic for cats.