According to the findings of a recent language development test the average dog has the mental abilities of a 2-year-old. In terms of  ranking, the top three are Border collies, Poodles, and then German  shepherds.

But when it comes to training, German Shepherds are  considered to be the best. Police and special forces use them almost  exclusively.

Border Collies and Poodles might be more intelligent, but they are not as trainable as GSD’s.

About German Shepherds

​The  German shepherd is a highly intelligent breed of dog with a great deal  of stamina and a ‘sharp’ mind. In spite of the findings of the test  described above, most dog experts consider the German shepherd as the  most intelligent dog breed in the world as well as one of the easiest  breeds to train.

The German Shepherd has a fast and retentive  memory. This helps it to remember words of importance, commands, and  tricks that you may teach him or her. The intelligence rolls over  directly from the days whereby the level of intelligence was critical  for a keen herding and working dog. The German Shepherd had to be sharp,  attentive, and logical to effectively watch out for the sheep under its  custody.

The  shepherding is mostly a thing of the past now, but the dogs are very  focused on their owner and have strong retentive memory. German  Shepherds watch out for the people they care about and respond to  stimuli quickly. This is the reason why they make for excellent  protectors.

Intelligent Vs Obedient?

 With  all this talk of intelligence you might mistakenly believe that you  will get your German Shepherd already magically knowing basic commands.  Your German shepherd will not come understanding when to ‘lie down’ or  ‘sit’ or roll over, or when to ‘start’ or ‘stop.’ German shepherds are  quick learners but are not psychic.

You should therefore not be  surprised in case it takes some time for you and your German shepherd to  start learning how to understand each other. You must also be aware  that German shepherds are constantly learning so be careful of the kind  of example you set for your dog.

Conclusion

​German  shepherds are a highly intelligent dog breed. Therefore, respect your  dog’s intelligence and ensure that you set a positive example and offer  both negative and positive reinforcements when attempting to train your  dog.

While behavior may be partially inherited, it is also  learned. It is as much your responsibility as it is the breeder’s to  ensure that you train your dog properly. Good owners make for good dogs.

GSD Specific Dog Products.

​German  Shepherds ​the best dogs in the world. ​Here are some nice products  that I have been using to show my appreciation for this breed.

Puppy Calendar

Twelve months of the cutest GSD puppies you  have ever seen. Hang it in your kitchen to start the day with a smile,  or in your office to cheer up your day.

​Check Price on Amazon

​Swarovski German Shepherd

Swarovski is world famous for their stunning  line of crystal animals. Show your love for German Shepherds with an  elegant statue on your chimney or desk.

Check Price on Amazon

German Shepherd Health Nutrition by Royal CANIN

Good nutrition is vital to a happy and  well-performing dog. German Shepherds have uniquely high mental and  physical activity levels. That means that they require specific food  which is high in energy and nutrients. Royal CANIN is a world leader in  high quality dog food and has poured years of research and expertise  into this food. it contains all the daily ingredients your GSD needs to  be the best dog he/she can be.

Check Price on Amazon

​Property Protected By German Shepherd Warning Sign

​Most burglars will think twice before breaking  into a house guarded by a German Shepherd. But they might still damage  you door before they find out. Save your locks and windows by placing  these signs around the house. Oh, and if you care, it might save the  thieves too.

Check Price on Amazon

How I Stopped Line Pulling And Aggression – After Failing With Even The Simplest Dog Training Advice

When  I first got my GSD, I was super excited. For the longest time, I had  been dreaming of owning and training a German Shepherd and the dream was  about to come through. Things turned out differently though. As she was  growing up, I started having real problems.

House-breaking was  tough, but I got there in the end. What I couldn’t solve was her  constant barking and fighting with other dogs. And her pulling on the  line. So living with her became a constant struggle:

• Going for a walk meant sore hands and trying to evade other dog owners.
• Having people over meant I had to leash her outside to be able to have any reasonable conversation.
• I had to be constantly on the lookout because she would viciously attack any dog we’d meet.

I  tried a lot of advice and went to a lot of training sessions, but the  problems kept coming back. I wondered whether to keep her because this  was not what I signed up for. I read all the well-known books; Training  the German Shepherd Dog (by John Cree) and How To Raise The Perfect Dog  (by Cesar Milan).

But it only made more aggressive! There was something missing.

Tthen I discovered something so important it changed my view on dog training forever.

Confidence  of the owner is the key!! Now that probably sounds like a no-brainer.  But wait, I am not done yet. When you read a lot of dog training books,  and try to use the advice, you naturally behave less  confident. You might be trying to remember that one exercise, or you are  wondering what the author would do in this particular case. Either way,  you are not acting confidently, and your dog senses that. Some dogs  will no longer respect you, others, like GSDs, will also become nervous  because they look to you for guidance.

Once I started using my own  little trick, and some additional information from The German Shepherd  Handbook, things really turned around.

• She was now  relaxed and friendly when approaching other dogs, even on the leash. I  am so pleased with this. It’s not just a constant worry when walking, I  also felt very embarrassed to other dog owners that mine was so  aggressive.
• I can now keep her in the room when having guests  over. She will still greet people enthusiastically and sometimes I need  to keep her from jumping up. But after a few minutes, she calms down and  goes about her normal business.

Now, I know there is a ton of advice on dog training around. So there might be other ways to accomplish your goal.

It is, however, what worked for me. And there is no reason it won’t work for you, if you are having similar problems.

So  if you have, or plan to have a German Shepherd, I would recommend to  make sure to act confidently. There is a time to reflect on your actions  but it’s not when you are working with your dog.

These books also  really helped me understand and train my girl better. Without it, she  wouldn’t have passed her Therapy Dog certification!

• The German Shepherd In Word And Pictures (the classic in use since 1923)
• Finding Forever: The Dogs of Coastal German Shepherd Rescue (Volume 1)
• The German Shepherd Handbook

In  my opinion books can never fully replace real life training with a  professional but they are invaluable in creating ones own understanding  and methods. Because we as owners are the ones who will be spending most  time with our dogs, and our behavior and attitude are going to be most  influential.

The post How Smart Are German Shepherds appeared first on Waggish Dogs.

Husky Dogs Have Their Own Peculiarities

Stubborn Or Independent?

​A lot of people don’t really think about the intelligence of the dog – instead of thinking “how smart are Huskies?” they think about obedience or stubbornness instead – which is the wrong way of looking at it.

You see, Huskies are independent. They care about what their owners want, but they also think about what they want and make their own decisions – so sometimes if they seem hard to train, it’s not that they don’t understand the training, it’s their intelligence kicking in and them thinking they know better.

You can work around this – and you’ll find that a well-trained Husky is amazing. As a service animal, for example, a Husky is a great choice – they can make judgements about things like whether it’s safe to walk into a road – and make smarter decisions than other, more ‘easily led’ dogs.

How best to work with Husky Intelligence?

​Huskies are very energetic, and if you aren’t able to give them the amount of exercise that they crave, they will become rather destructive. With enough training, walks, and the right toys, a Husky will be able to use it’s energy for good.

They are also pack animals, so they need to socialize – if you can’t give them the attention they need, and get them out and playing with other dogs, then they will probably be pretty unhappy.

Those who adopt huskies while they are young, and then spend time working with them and training them, and who are able to give them an active lifestyle, find that they do make amazing companions.

Husky Training

​It’s a good idea to start training early on – that’s not to say that you can’t adopt an older husky and tame it, but just like kids, huskies learn very quickly while they’re young, and you’ll find that older, free spirits, are a little tougher to work with. If you have other pets, then you definitely want to acclimatize your husky to them early on – because when they grow up they become very big dogs, and you’ll struggle if they are hostile to your cat or your other dogs.

Don’t keep a Husky cooped up inside – remember that their natural desire is to run free, and it’s unfair to them to not give them a chance to burn off that excess energy.

You will quickly see what the traits of your pet are when you work with them, and if you have any concerns – for example if it looks like your pet is hostile to another type of animal – that will give you an idea of what precautions to take when they get bigger.

Huskies make great, loyal pets for most households, but they are headstrong and smart and you need to remember that.

The post How Smart Are Huskies? appeared first on Waggish Dogs.

​10. Major Cuteness Factor

​As if it wasn’t apparent, the Siborgi is really one of the most adorable breeds out there, combining the Husky’s majestic fluffiness with the cuddly, petite corgi size. That’s a snuggle fest just waiting to happen. Basically, just get one and you’ll never have to worry about looking nice again because everyone will be too focused on your pet to even pay attention to your baggy eyes and sweatpants.

​9. The Horgi Loves Cold Climates

​The Siberian Husky is a cold-weather dog, originally bred for hunting purposes by the Chukchi people, a tribe living in the harsh, freezing temperatures of what is now Russia and Ukraine. Corgis, both the Pembroke and the Welsh breeds, are distantly related to Siberian Huskies through the northern Spitz dog family, so they are almost as well suited for harsh temperatures. Combine the two breeds and you have one dynamite-tough dog. (We’re sorry Arizonians and Texans; this just isn’t the dog for you)

8. ​Mixed Corgi Huskies Are Intelligent

The corgi on its own, like most herding dogs, is an assertive and highly intelligent breed. Combine Corgi with the smart Siberian husky…let’s just say that pretty soon you’ll be asking your dog to help you with your math problems. Also, a little tip for newbie pet owners: horgis are so intelligent that they will learn how to destroy and escape from that fence you erected in the backyard. So cross your t’s and dot your I’s if you don’t want to be putting up ‘dog missing’ posters all over town. 

7. Helps You Lose Weight (Yes, really)

Was losing weight or just getting fit in general on your to-do list this year? Are you saving up for that $$$$ treadmill guaranteed to help you burn twice as many calories (as if a treadmill isn’t the most miserable way possible to lose weight)? Just get a Horgi and you’ll never have to worry about a lack of exercise again if you love your dog. This is one of the most energetic combinations of dogs out there, so take your furry friend for a couple daily walks or runs in the park.

6. Training The Horgi Can Be A Challenge

There’s no getting around it, training these dogs is a monumental and challenging task, not fit for the faint of heart or novice dog owner. Prepare to repeat yourself A LOT while training your dog, not because they are stupid (quite the opposite), but more because of the stubbornness factor.

​​To make training as easy as possible, you have to start early. With ​the best dog training system and a caring owner your dog will be very well behaved.

5. Shedding and Grooming

This dog breed requires extensive grooming, sometimes once or twice a day once shedding season really hits, so this isn’t a great breed for those who suffer from asthma. Besides shedding, they require the standard maintenance: a proper bath with good dog shampoo only when truly dirty, proper nail trimming, and teeth cleaning two or three times a week.

4. Has Weight Gain Tendencies

Corgis and huskies are genetically conditioned for a highly active lifestyle (think chasing sheep all day and pulling sleds with doggy buddies). Unfortunately, even if you do take them for long walks and play daily, it’s still not the kind of activity they are genetically predisposed towards. Because of that, today’s dogs are more sedentary than their high ancestors, which may lead to a tendency towards obesity. While it’s really hard not to give in to the temptation to spoil them with treats, try to resist. 

3. Dietary Needs

This rides on top of the last one. Besides obesity, they are more predisposed than some breeds towards eye problems, hip issues, epilepsy, and skin diseases. Avoid these unpleasant conditions to the best of your ability by feeding your Horgi a high-quality diet, preferably made up of fresh ingredients like chicken liver, sweet potatoes or rice, coconut oil, and other nutrient-dense foods. Avoid the cheap dog food at the store; it’s loaded with unhealthy, digestive-damaging fillers like soy and wheat.

2. Great Apartment Dog

If you live in an apartment or a small house, they are a wonderful and more energetic alternative to the more traditional apartment lap dogs. While a Husky would be too large, a mix is just the right size, usually weighing a modest 25-40 pounds and standing a little over a foot tall.

​1. Wonderful Personality

​This beautiful dog has a delightful and loving personality and can be good with kids if trained properly (best avoided around babies and very young children though). Horgis are loyal, affectionate, and confident pets, sure to turn every bad day into a good day. That is, assuming they didn’t escape from that fenced yard you put up.

The post All About The Corgi Husky Mix appeared first on Waggish Dogs.