GSD Growth & Behavioural Changes (Including Ears) (2024)

FAQs

At what age do German Shepherds ears raise? ›

This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething (this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age), I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears.

If the ears of your German Shepherd are not erect after his fifth month, and this is the look you desire, you may want to contact your veterinarian or breeder. Between the 5th and 7th month the ear cartilage is still soft enough to encourage the ear into an upright position.

Dogs of different breeds and sizes mature at different ages, and while one year of age is commonly considered the end of puppyhood in general, a German Shepherd Dog may not reach an adult level of maturity before the age of two or three (and males tend to reach this stage later than females).

Every puppy is different. The ears can first go up at any time from four weeks old to never. If the ears are going to stand naturally they would be up between four and seven months of age and after her adult teeth have come in. It is not unusual to see the ears go up and down during the teething process.

Most breeders and veterinarians will tell you that floppy ears are common while your German Shepherd is teething, which usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks. By then, the cartilage in the ear has become hard and strong enough for the ear to stand permanently.

If your German Shepherd's ears have always been floppy, it could just be their genetics. Although most German Shepherds have up-right ears, some can have floppy or semi-pricked ones. It is rare, but just like coat length, eye color, and coat color, a dog's ear shape is also affected by their genetics.

It is very common for GSD pups to have ears that tilt and flop this way and that as they gain strength to stand on their own. The German Shepherd ears may take all matter of shapes (1 up, 1 down; 1 this way, 1 that way) until they come completely up. Do not panic when this happens – It is completely normal.

The German Shepherd is an amazing dog with tons of excellent qualities. They have a lifespan of 9-13 years which is average for most dogs. There are several factors that can affect how long they live. It is important to recognize these factors and hopefully extend their lives as much as possible.

Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.

What does it mean when your German Shepherd sits on you? ›

Your dog sitting on you may be his way of saying he loves you, he feels safe around you, or that you are his territory. As long as he isn't acting aggressively towards you, other people, or other animals, and as long as you're okay with it, this kind of behavior doesn't present a problem.

The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.

Stage 5: Adolescence at 6-18 Months

Adolescence in German Shepherd Dogs will begin around nine or ten months old and likely continue until they are two or three years old. Starts inappropriate chewing (furniture, shoes, etc.) Starts sexual behavior if not spayed/neutered, humping etc.

German Shepherds typically reach puberty between the ages of 6 and 12 months, at which point they may start to exhibit more territorial and protective behaviors. This is a natural instinct for many dogs, and it is important to channel this energy in a positive way through training and socialization.

As a general rule, a dog's level of attention can be determined by watching their ears: Erect ears facing forward indicate that they're engaged, and slightly pulled-back ears signal that they're feeling friendly; but dog ears laid tightly back against the head suggest a fearful or timid reaction.

The Ears: When your dog's ears are forward, it means the dog is paying close attention to something or is curious. When your dog's ears are flat against its head, it represents fear or aggression. Ears way back but not close to its head may mean that your dog is feeling sad.

What's happening in these pups is that their bodies are using their calcium for teeth development instead of developing ear structure. As a pup starts to get its adult teeth, it is, therefore, possible for erect ears to begin to sag and stay this way until they're done teething.

Many German Shepherd's ears do not stand up while they are teething. So, if they are teething, be patient and try not to worry. In fact, it is not uncommon for their ears to stand up and then drop when they start teething. So until teething has finished, be patient.

German Shepherds often whine when they are seeking comfort. This whining may occur when a dog feels scared, anxious, or overwhelmed. Dogs may also whine when they experience physical discomfort, such as pain from a medical condition.

A good rule of thumb is to keep any hands off your pup's ears. That means no bending, rubbing, or folding. I know it's not easy to leave those cute, soft ears alone, but it's best not to play with them for healthy, perky ears.

How long does it take for a German Shepherd to be fully grown? ›

The short answer is German Shepherds reach their full growth at about three years of age. The five-pound puppy you brought home will become a full-grown dog of about 90 pounds. Essentially, she or he will grow to the size of a teenager in weight, but about 26 inches in length.

According to a 2017 study in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, the leading cause of death for German shepherds is musculoskeletal disorders, followed by the inability to stand. Hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are likely two common culprits for the latter, as they cause weakness and paralysis of the legs.

German Shepherds should not be left alone for more than 8 hours a day. They are easily bored so if they are left alone for that long, they may start engaging in destructive or problematic behavior such as digging, chewing and barking.

Female German Shepherds live an additional 1.4 years on average than males. In general, female German Shepherds live to a median of 11.1 years, however, males have a median lifespan of 9.7 years. Like all dogs, some German Shepherds can live past their average lifespan.

They are happiest when with the ones they love. So, the bottom line is yes, a German shepherd will undoubtedly form a strong bond with just one person and be content to do so. However, they also make great family companions and they love to be the center of attention.

Sitting near you but with eyes turned away is a calculated choice. Dogs want to sense your location but also keep an eye on potential threats. “By lying close to the owner and facing away, dogs express a sense of loyalty and protection,” Joslin adds.

Know that German Shepherds also go through the same chemical and hormonal changes, just like humans. The previous point makes it clear that dogs do experience emotions depending on situations. The only difference is that dogs can't verbalize their feelings. Also, dogs feel their emotions on a very basic level.

When your dog turns his back to you, he is showing you that he's friendly and trusts you. In the animal world, turning your back to someone puts you in a vulnerable position. Your dog is trusting that you won't attack him from behind.

What does it mean when a dog sits and puts his paw on you? ›

Conclusion: Pawing means your dog wants your attention. If your dog puts their paw on you while you're spending time together, it's likely an expression of affection or the gestural equivalent of “pet me more!”

Dogs sit on their owners' feet and lean on legs for many reasons. But dogs often perch on their humans because they are displaying or looking for affection, feeling anxious, seeking security, or guarding their owners. Arthritic dogs also might prefer this raised position because they don't have to bend down to sit.

Undesirable behaviours such as barking, chewing, counter surfing, house-soiling and jumping up commonly begin to occur at around 3-6 months of age. Your puppy will not grow out of these behaviours. On the contrary, it is more likely that these behaviours will worsen if not addressed early on.

All puppies start to have a noticeable personality when they reach 7 to 8 weeks of age. You'll notice it especially when they're playing with other puppies or interacting with strangers. Knowing your puppy's personality can help you train and bond with them!

The Brat Stage starts at about 4 months and runs until about 6 months, and it's during this time your puppy will demonstrate even more independence and willfulness. You may see a decline in his urge to please you – expect to see more “testing the limits” type of behaviors.

What Age Does a German Shepherd Become Aggressive? A German Shepherd becomes aggressive at around 3 to 6 months old. This escalates during the adolescent stage from 6 months to two years old as sexual maturity arises and hormones fluctuate.

There are two major fear periods in a puppy's socialization. One is at 8-11 weeks and the other is 6-14 months. These fear periods are evolutionarily programmed and are protective for dogs in the wild.

These dogs will protect you at all costs

German Shepherds are renowned for their protective instincts, and a well-looked-after pet German Shepherd will therefore do anything to keep their family safe.

Male dogs start lifting their leg to urinate when they are approximately 6-12 months old. Both neutered and non-neutered dogs will lift their legs, but it is more common for a neutered dog to squat.

Ideally, you should bathe your German Shepherd puppy two or three times a year to preserve the coat's natural oils, which protect his skin and undercoat. “Young puppies in particular really don't need to be bathed often,” says American Kennel Club Judge and German Shepherd Dog expert Dr.

What does a 4 month old German Shepherd look like? ›

Size and Appearance of a 4 Month Old German Shepherd

Once a German Shepherd reaches four months of age, it can be one foot tall and will weigh about half of the total adult weight. Male German Shepherds will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds, while females will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds.

Your German Shepherd puppy's ears will stand up around 5 months of age, but can take up to 8 or 9 months in some puppies. It's totally normal if your dog's ears don't both stand up and your GSD has one ear up and one ear down.

When do a German Shepherd's ears stand up? All puppies are born with soft, floppy ears. This is because the cartilage and muscles in their ears have not developed yet. They are also born with closed ears, meaning that they can't yet hear anything.

As a general rule, a dog's level of attention can be determined by watching their ears: Erect ears facing forward indicate that they're engaged, and slightly pulled-back ears signal that they're feeling friendly; but dog ears laid tightly back against the head suggest a fearful or timid reaction.

A German Shepherd puppy should have, first and foremost, a good temperament. They should be inquisitive, outgoing, and unafraid in his advances towards everything and everybody. They will also demand and exhibit affection without inhibition. Many times puppies will single out one of the litter to pick on.

Severe separation anxiety, impulsive behaviors (compulsively chasing vehicles or running out into the street), fearfulness, and even a complete lack of affection for their human family are all more common in inbred dogs. While many dog breeds have high degrees of inbreeding, some are worse than others.

As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise (such as walkies) for every month of their age. These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner.