Many people ask themselves, Are German Shepherds Good With Kids? German Shepherds make excellent family pets. They were originally bred for herding sheep, so they’re accustomed to chasing down fast-moving objects.
German Shepherds have been used as guard dogs, police dogs, and search & rescue dogs throughout their history. They have a reputation for being fearless and loyal, making them perfect for life as a family guard dog.
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Are German shepherds good with children?
When people wonder, “Are german shepherds good with children?” we can mention that it is one of the best options. German Shepherds are highly intelligent, adaptable, and energetic. They possess a natural desire to protect their people and are often dubbed the “perfect dog.”
To become a successful German Shepherd owner, you must understand where this breed originates from. Specifically, the breed originates from there for the primary purpose of being a well-trained protector of its people and farm. German shepherds are protective, obedient, and loyal.
However, they are not suitable for families with young children unless the dog is well-trained and well-socialized. The German Shepherd is an intelligent dog with a strong sense of loyalty. They will attempt to protect their family from perceived threats and obstacles.
How to keep a child safe with a German Shepherd?
There are several reasons why a German Shepherd Dog (GSD) may become overresponsive either to children or adults. The more we know, the better our chances are of encouraging good relationships between people and dogs.
A majority of problems between children and German Shepherds are because both the child and dog are not communicating on the same level. GSDs need exercise and training. They tend to bond with their family members. So if you have children, make sure your dog is well trained and socialized.
When children are frightened, they tend to run away. When dogs get scared, they often bark or whine and snap at their playmates. Children and dogs have very different ways of interacting. The dog’s reaction to the child can be perceived as play as long as the child sees it that way.
There are several documented cases of GSDs attacking children. Before the attacks, GSDs commonly attempt to befriend and play with the children. The attacks might appear as play to the dog, but they can cause long-term mental disorders in children entrusted to GSDs’ care.
GSDs are known for their peaceful and playful nature, and children as young as three years old often play happily with these dogs. However, an attack will have serious emotional consequences for the child. Will German Shepherd attacks its owners is still a question to get an answer from the experienced person.
Some Useful pieces of Advice
A well-cared-for Shepherd can grow to be quite large and energetic, requiring a long daily walk and plenty of physical and mental exercise. Shepherds were initially developed to guard and herd. Letting them off-leash is not recommended. If you are wondering, “are german shepherds friendly” you should consider the following tips.
- As with other dogs, the German Shepherd enjoys licking other dogs and can do the same with a child’s face. The differences in the interaction of each of them mean that this can provoke fear in the child.
- The chase game is one of the classic games that dogs enjoy. Of course, the greater weight of the dog will cause the child to end up being knocked down at some point. Things can worsen when the dog interprets the child’s screaming and crying out of distress as part of the game.
- The high energy and predisposition of German Shepherds can cause children to be knocked down several times. These dogs enjoy jumping up and greeting in one greeting or other situations.
- On no occasion should German Shepherds be left with children wholly alone and unsupervised. This is always risky as different misunderstandings can occur between them. German Shepherds are ideal playful, although they could react badly with a misinterpretation.
- Sometimes there may also be children who are not afraid of German Shepherds. That also requires supervision, as the children could perform something aggressive to the German Shepherds without noticing it. Again this could also cause a misinterpretation on the part of the German Shepherd.
Adults or Puppies of German Shepherds?
GSD Puppies are active, adorable, and need lots of time and attention. Avoid bringing home a puppy if you live in a high-rise condo or if your kids are under five years old. Thus, young families should consider adopting a puppy only after children are at least five years old. Anyone can say yes to the question, “are german shepherds kid-friendly”?
While it’s true that many breeds of puppies and young dogs are more energetic than their elders, they are also more challenging to train. The German shepherds can make an energetic puppy into a beautiful companion through early socialization and positive reinforcement.
It is a common misconception that puppies are more accessible to train than adult dogs. In truth, all canines, however old or young they are, require consistent and thorough training from their new owners.
Puppies are very active and need a lot of time and attention. They will also need to be socialized and trained early. Puppies require regular, daily attention to their physical and emotional needs. Besides, the puppy requires lots of time, and they tend to be very playful. They may scratch, jump, or bite.
Not an appropriate breed for a family living in an apartment or busy single-family home. Be prepared to devote plenty of time to this high-energy, intelligent animal. We don’t recommend the German Shepherd Dog for families with small children. We recommend this breed to families that have the time to dedicate to training, grooming brush, socializing, and playing.
Training for children and dogs
Efficient training can be implemented before you ask, “Are german shepherds good with babies.” This dog has unique needs, so a well-trained and experienced staff will help you develop a customized dog training strategy. Positive reinforcement and behavior shaping techniques are often incorporated in these cases.
German Shepherds are family-friendly dogs as long as the family has prepared properly. These dogs may be OK in a family environment, as long as there is careful planning and communication among the adults in the household. Also, German Shepherds are pack dogs.
They are most comfortable in a structured environment where they know what is required and have a clear leader. A German Shepherd Dog requires two types of training to reach their full potential. They are instructing the dog with commands and showing it how to act by disciplining destructive behaviors.
To help children develop good behavior, parents must train their German Shepherd before bringing the dog into the home. This will ensure that the GSD can effectively discipline disobedient behavior without becoming overly aggressive.
Daily activities of the German Shepherd
To answer the question “Are German Shepherds Good With Kids” we must also consider the energy needs of this breed of dog. An athletic breed with extremely high energy levels, German Shepherds require a lot of exercises. Working dogs are happiest when they get to spend as much time with their families as possible.
Although this is a working breed, it was not originally bred to withstand long periods outside kennel confinement. Instead, they were bred to be near their families, reflecting in their personality and instinctive bonds to the family unit.
The German Shepherd requires daily and vigorous exercise to avoid developing excessive energy or behavioral problems as a herding breed. Daily two-hour exercises are ideal; however, some individuals may need longer.
The exact amount of exercise needed by the Shepherd depends on the level of herding activity and other situations that may require more physical exertion. We recommend at a minimum of two 30-minute walks daily and plenty of mental stimulation and training.
Doing these things will ensure the dog is kept happy and healthy. Besides, they won’t develop unhealthy habits or take out their pent-up energy on other members of the family while you’re away! Due to their high energy, this breed needs plenty of exercises. Read the complete guide on the GDS exercise over here.
If you have a family that spends a lot of time outside, this dog is perfect for you! This breed can be too much for a novice pet owner to handle. The breed can do double the amount of activities the average dog can, without a care in the world.
Conclusion
Are German Shepherds Good With Kids? Of course, this is a dog breed with excellent qualities to get along well with children. German Shepherds are powerful and loyal dogs. They are also quite protective of their family. They need a firm handler. If they are properly trained, socialized, and cared for, they make beautiful pets.
Also, German Shepherds are known to be extremely friendly and protective of their families. Families like to adopt or buy a German Shepherd because of the breed’s loyalty and protectiveness.
Although they are large dogs, they generally enjoy being household members and may see children as their flock needing protection. They require a lot of exercises and love the outdoors. The German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally enjoys close family members. These dogs need a lot of exercise and love to live outdoors.