There's a ton of debate on the ethicality of using muzzles in every forum and Facebook page that focuses on dogs or dog training. Honestly, it's hilarious to me. Let's dive into the issue ... or non-issue, and I'll tell you why. There are 3 types of muzzles. Basket muzzles, soft/cloth muzzles, and agitation muzzles. Basket muzzles can be made of metal wire or plastic that usually form squareish shaped holes for ventilation. Dogs can eat and drink in them and don't overheat wearing one because it allows them to pant. Soft/cloth muzzles keep the mouth almost entirely closed. They don't allow ea ..read more

Therapy and emotional support dogs are pets that provide comfort and support to people in need. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are not permitted in all public places. However, they are welcomed in locations providing pet therapy. Although therapy and emotional support dogs aren’t required to go through the rigorous training service dogs do, they do require training to ensure they are socialized, well-behaved, and comfortable in various environments. While service dogs are highly trained to provide specific services to a person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, t ..read more

German shepherds communicate using their senses, such as sight, smell, and sound. Their body language, glandular secretions, pheromones, and vocalizations all play a part in how they exchange information with other dogs and people. If you’ve ever noticed your German shepherd watching you, you might be observing your dog reading your body language. At times, it seems as if they’re mind readers when in fact they are interpreting and anticipating your non-verbal cues and responding to them. Learning to read your dog’s body language is an important skill for you to have. It can help you determin ..read more

German shepherds were bred to work. They have the endurance and intelligence to accomplish many tasks, which is why they are often used in law enforcement, the military, search and rescue, and much more. They’re also known to be protective, confident, loyal, and brave. They have the ability and desire to learn. Although they also make loving pets, it should never be forgotten that it’s in their nature to live with purpose. German shepherds also have a high prey drive. Although prey drive can vary greatly between each dog, working and sporting breeds have a much higher prey drive than non-wor ..read more

German shepherds have a long, bushy tail that hangs down in a slight curve. It adds to their dignified appearance but also serves many purposes. To understand the importance of the tail, it helps to understand the anatomy of the spine of the German shepherd. Their spine is made up of vertebrae divided into these five regions: 1. The neck, contains 7 2. The thoracic spine, contains 13 3. The lumbar spine, contains 7 4. The sacrum, contains 3 which are fused 5. The tail, is made up of coccygeal vertebrae similar to the tailbone in a person Along the spine, the vertebrae are stacked one behind ..read more

Any dog can bite. Little dogs, big dogs, German shepherd dogs. To help educate owners and prevent dog bites, National Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place during the second week of April each year. Dog Bite Prevention Week focuses on educating people about preventing dog bites to reduce the number of bites and to help protect dogs and their owners from getting involved in a bite situation. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year. Bite injuries in children are significantly higher than in adults. Service providers such as mail carriers ..read more

March is National Nutrition Month so we thought it would be the perfect time to recognize how good nutrition can help your German Shepherd stay healthy and fit throughout their life. Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. It’s what keeps all the body systems functioning properly. Without it, a dog’s body can’t perform at its best, which may increase their risk of disease and injury. A balanced diet fuels the body and mind to help keep your dog energetic and feeling great. You can do many things to ensure your German shepherd is eating healthy. We hope you find some of the following ..read more

Your adult German shepherd’s mouth is packed with 42 adult teeth. Twenty of those impressive choppers are located in the top jaw and 22 are located in the bottom jaw. Their teeth are made up of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Your dog uses all their teeth daily for a variety of important tasks. So, their teeth must stay strong and healthy throughout their life. The way they use their various teeth include: German Shepherd Teeth and their Purpose Incisors The incisors are the 12 small teeth located in the front of the mouth. Dogs use them for scraping meat from bones, grooming the ..read more

One of the best ways to ensure your German shepherd lives a healthy life is to be proactive about their health. It’s far easier to prevent or resolve health problems when they’re detected early on. One way you can do this is to perform a monthly health check. Monthly health checks are essential to catching potential issues before they get serious while giving you and your dog a chance to spend some quality time together. One of the easiest ways to remember to perform the monthly health check is to put it on the calendar. Make it a priority in the same way you dispense their flea, tick, and h ..read more

German shepherds were originally bred to be working dogs. Their original use was guarding and herding livestock. Today, they can still be found working on ranches. But they also perform many demanding jobs and are popular pets. Due to their initial breeding, German shepherds are active, intelligent, and loyal. They form strong bonds with their family but are known to be aloof with newcomers. They are naturally protective and always keep watching over their home. Well-bred German shepherds are confident, courageous, and willing to learn. They’re smart and can be trained to do many things. The ..read more