10 Best Tips To Take Care of 6 Month Old German Shepherd

6 Month Old German Shepherd

You've probably heard that the behavior of a 6 month old German Shepherd is unpredictable, stressful, and annoying. Your once-pure puppy tests your limits.

 

However, this article will show you how to manage and get through these puppy-growing pains without going crazy. After reading this article, you'll know how to regain control over your house and manage your dog's behavior like a professional.

 

Developing Pains

• Learning new dog-related skills is a requirement of owning a German Shepherd Puppy.
• Due to their breeding as working dogs, German Shepherds find happiness in having a job to do, even as young puppies.
• The relationship between you and your puppy changes from a parent and child style to one of mutual companionship during the six-month-old puppy growing stage.
• As your once-adorable German Shepherd puppy reaches sexual maturity and hormones take control, you must remain consistent in your training and expectations.
• Owners are the center of Shepherd's universe. owners are the only person they have, and they are depending on them with the direction and structure they require.
• Without using harsh punishment, you must teach and reward the behaviors you desire.

 

Common Issues with 6 Month Old German Shepherd Behavior

Although puppies can exhibit any number of behavioral issues, these are the most typical ones that could make your German Shepherd Dog puppy act out.

 

• Becoming more self-reliant
• Fostering a more brash personality
• Being obnoxious around other dogs
• Becoming adolescent
• Sex-related changes in their behavior (hormones)
• Even though these problems usually go away with time, they can persist if you don't teach your six-month-old puppy how to behave.

 

Find out more about the behaviors a German Shepherd puppy might exhibit

 

Getting Independent

• Your German Shepherd Puppy starts to walk on its own when he is six months old.
• They expand their horizons and create fresh means of interacting with the outside world.
• Although they are tiny, they can weigh up to 50 pounds or more and be 75% of their adult size at just 6 months old, which is adorable. These puppies are already strong dogs.
• Lightly destructive behavior has evolved from being a puppy's playful way of having fun to an all-out war on your possessions.
• There is a lot of chewing, tearing of fixtures, and destruction of furniture.

 

Your puppy now wants to explore more, both inside and outside, so you must take special precautions, such as using a secure leash, collar, or harness when you are outside and pet-safe baby gates to divide up designated secure indoor spaces.

 

Stronger, Bigger, and Bolder Personalities

• If you've been training him, he should know almost all the basic commands by this age, but as he starts to come up with his own, more audacious ideas, he'll be pickier about how he responds.
• If your prior training was inadequate, it will become apparent by 6 months of age (or earlier!).
• Your German Shepherd can cause serious injury to you with their large bodies, and teeth, and jumping into you at a weight of about 50 pounds.

 

Boldness With Other Dogs

• As your dog tries to take charge, the game gets rougher. They will play rougher with other dogs and push them away during hormonal play.
• When German Shepherds reach sexual maturity, some of them will challenge other males.
• You must always be on the lookout to avoid these potentially dangerous confrontations!

• Due to their increased boldness and changing hormone levels, your larger puppy may now approach other dogs.
• A formerly timid dog has developed into a brazen go-getter who isn't entirely aware of socially acceptable dog encounters but isn't afraid to stick its face up to a strange dog!

 

Canine Puberty

• Over the following year, their behavior becomes unpredictable due to soaring hormone swings.
• Some German Shepherd puppies grow aggressive reactions to strangers between the ages of 6 and 12 months.
• The German Shepherd breed is more resistant to this than other breeds (research).
• Your German Shepherd Dogs' sexual desires increase as they mature and develop.
• Males experience increased levels of intolerance for other male dogs and increased levels of territorial behavior as a result of these hormones.
• According to some research, this is the time when stranger-directed aggression may be more likely to manifest.

 

Change in Behavior Of Male And Female

• Young male Shepherds exhibit scent marking and aggression, especially toward other male dogs, as a result of hormonal changes that occur prior to sexual maturity.
• Owners can expect insecurities, mood swings, and apathy toward things that were once enjoyable and well-known.
• Male puppies become more unruly as they approach sexual maturity. All of these behaviors are consistent with puppy growing pains, including scent marking even inside your home, roaming, selective deafness to your commands, and general disobedience.
• When a female puppy first goes into heat, she may act unsure, subdued, or even hostile toward other dogs and their owners.

 

10 Tips To Correct Behavior Of 6 month old German Shepherd

Here are 10 tips to take care and correct the behavior of 6 month old German Shepherd

 

1. Exercise

• The foremost tip to take care of your pup is to start upping your exercise regimen and intensity, but wait to run or jog on any hard surfaces until your 6 month old German Shepherd will turn 18 months old to ensure that the growth plates have fully fused.
• To prevent an injury brought on by too much impact on unfused joints and bones, increase exercise gradually.
• A good way to release energy and increase endurance and stamina is to play with fetch-style toys.
• A 6 month old German Shepherd needs your assistance in finding the right activities to keep them healthy because they are active at 6 months of age.

 

2. Increase Positive Reinforcement Training

• Even though your puppy is still immature and unfocused, you can step up training to help your dog learn obedience.
• To help them learn better training fundamentals and how to properly train a 6-month-old German Shepherd, increase daily obedience and practise.
• Maintain a programme of obedience to help prevent future behavioral issues.
• Despite your belief that you lack the time to train your dog, you don't want your intelligent German Shepherd puppy to devise their own training regimen because it won't be what you want.

 

3. Offer Chew Toys

• Your Shepherd's appetite for chewing grows as its strength does.
• Continue to provide chew treats to exercise your 6 month old German Shepherd jaws while looking for more durable toys to keep them occupied.
• Because German Shepherds have one of the strongest bites, don't buy them any chew toys.
• Locate larger chews to reduce the risk of choking and to give their jaws a good workout.
• While the adult teeth in your puppy are still erupting, chewing can help to relieve any discomfort by numbing the gums.
• Your puppy can calm themselves by chewing.

 

4. Mental Stimulation

• One of the smartest breeds in the world is your German Shepherd puppy.
• If you don't engage in daily mental stimulation, you're inviting undesirable behaviors.
• Your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy requires more than just physical activity.
• Their minds need to grow and engage in novel and fascinating ways with their surroundings.
• You can include mental stimulation in a variety of ways
• Many of these strategies involve imparting new mental exercises or games.
• Help your six-month-old GSD learn fundamental obedience in a playful manner.

 

5. Supervision

• 6 month old German Shepherd puppies are fluffy balls of mischief so don't leave them alone for an extended period of time.
• Even in the best circumstances, a German Shepherd pup can get into trouble, so make sure their environment is free of objects you don't want them to chew on.
• Use pet-safe baby gates to contain your once potty-trained puppy if they have forgotten its potty manners.
• With pet-safe gates, your dog can still see you and feel like they are keeping an eye on the family.
• Pet gates are a secure option that stops your German Shepherd dog's head from getting stuck.

 

6. Leadership Opportunities

• A 6 month old German Shepherd puppy occasionally exhibits unpredictable behavior.
• They learn how to act more appropriately by being given expectations of acceptable behavior.
• So that your puppy knows what to expect and starts to see you taking control over their behavior and daily routines, structure routine behaviors for mealtimes or going for walks.

 

7. Regular Mealtimes

• Establish a mealtime routine to prevent or correct food aggression.
• Keep your puppy from getting free food (helping themselves to their meals whenever they want).
• Maintain a regular mealtime and location for them. Teach them to wait patiently for their food and to only accept it if they are being quiet and compliant.
• Wait until they have finished eating before removing their food from them.
• When they are eating, occasionally add a few treats to their bowl to let them know that your presence doesn't mean you're taking their food away but rather that you're giving them some extra tasty treats.
• While your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy is eating, resist the urge to pet them because this can make them more agitated and aggressive.

 

8. Socialization

• German Shepherds need early socialization more than anything else.
• It helps acclimate them to unfamiliar situations and people, which can significantly lessen problems like excessive barking, anxiety, and aggression in the long run.
• Select a trustworthy breeder. Before puppies are placed in their forever homes, the best breeders socialize them.
• Early socialization can make the transition from a breeding facility to a permanent home easier.

 

9. Regular Medical Checkup

• Choose a trustworthy veterinarian for your 6 month old German Shepherd and make routine visits. The ideal frequency is once or twice a year.
• Confirm that your puppy's X-rays and vaccinations are current. While X-rays can aid in the early diagnosis of illness, vaccinations help protect your dog from disease.

 

10. Protection From Summer Overheating

• The coats of German Shepherds are thick and dark. As a result, they are vulnerable to overheating during the summer.
• Make sure your dog is shielded from heat exhaustion and heat illness during the summer.
• Never leave your animal alone in the car, and make sure they have easy access to water and shade.

 

Summary

The behavior of a 6 month old German Shepherd Puppy is often stressful and annoying. But by using the 10 tips described in this article you can control your bigger and bolder puppy's behavior like an expert. Exercise, positive reinforcement training, mental stimulation, proper meals, regular medical checkup, and socialization are among the 10 best tips for your pup's frustrating behavior.

 

References

• 6 Month Old German Shepherd Behavior: Solve Puppy Problems [1].
• 10 Health Tips for Your German Shepherd [2].

 

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