German Shepherds typically enjoy being with their families.
They are devoted to their people and are gentle and playful. When they are aggressive, you can first try teaching them a cue.
This might be a facial expression or an action such as touching their nose. Once your dog understands this, he’ll stop barking when faced with certain situations.
So, when do German shepherds calm down?
German shepherds are very intelligent and loyal dogs.
However, they can be very enthusiastic and hyperactive. Many people think that large breeds of dogs like German shepherds are calmer the older they get; however, the truth is German shepherd puppies can be the most hyper dog breeds of all.
They are full of energy and always want to play. However, after German shepherd puppies reach six months old they calm down a lot.
They also become very loyal to their owners and can be very well behaved.
When Do German Shepherds Calm Down?
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Age alone isn’t enough to cope with a demanding job and be the best parent at the same time.
Dogs are creatures of habit and as such they need consistency from their owners in terms of training and behavioral patterns that they adhere too.
You can achieve this by creating routines for feeding times, walks, play time etc. The more consistent you are the better your German shepherd will adapt to the routine you establish for him/her.
It is easier for them to understand when they are trained to follow a specific schedule.
The greatest technique to acquire a calm dog is with positive reinforcements.
How To Help Your German Shepherd To Calm Down
Socialization
As part of your training program you should expose your GSD to as many experiences as possible by socializing him/her with people and other pets.
It will go a long way in helping him/her to stay calm and relax in different situations.
You will know that it is comfortable and relaxed when meeting new people and other dogs when it follows you around the house instead of chasing after you during play time or when walking in the park.
As a puppy, your dog should be socialized with as many experiences as possible like meeting people, other animals, riding in the car, going to different places, etc.
Your German Shepherd should be introduced to a wide variety of situations starting from a very young age so it can be confident and comfortable around others.
Mental Stimulation
These dogs are eager learners and are very energetic and playful.
They are also voracious learners and can be trained to perform a variety of tricks or activities.
Puzzle toys are another great way to mentally stimulate your German Shepherd and keep them occupied for hours at a time.
Puzzle toys are meant to stimulate the dog’s mind as they keep the dog busy trying to complete the puzzle toy to get to the treat inside.
There are a variety of different puzzle toys you can buy online that are designed for all sized dogs and will keep them entertained for hours at a time.
As a dog ages, it needs less exercise but should still be walked regularly to prevent obesity and maintain his/her health.
Training
There are two main areas to focus on when training your dog; obedience and behavior.
One, it gives you greater control over your dog in potentially dangerous situations, such as meeting another dog or stranger, or two, it allows you to communicate with your pet so he knows what you expect of him and how to avoid making mistakes.
You’ll discover that your dog will respond quickly to commands and learn quickly as well.
Proper Exercise
Your German Shepherd will settle down very quickly once you get him used to his new home and family.
Your GSD will become calmer and more obedient once he gets used to the daily routines of the family.
In addition to preventing behavioral problems, proper exercise for your dog is also very important for his overall health and well-being.
A weary dog is a happy dog and a happy dog is a well behaved one.
That should be the golden rule for all dog owners to follow – always make time for play and exercise with your dog.
As soon as a German Shepherd is exhausted, he is more likely to lie down and sleep rather than get into trouble or start chewing up the house.
Do All German Shepherds Calm Down Around The Same Age?
There is no certainty that an one year old German shepherd will behave the same way as a 2 year old German shepherd, as every GSD is different and has his own personality.
Some will be more relaxed than others, some will be more energetic than others, some will be more aggressive than others, and some will be more stubborn than others.
But in general, all dogs settle down around the age of 6 months or older.
Dogs, particularly females, may go through puberty at different ages and that can have an influence on their temperament.
Others, on the other paw, may be born with a laid back personality and mellow out as they get older.
Because of this, kids may not be the best judges of how a pup is going to act when he grows up.
How Should You React When Your German Shepherd Becomes Hyper?
Remain calm if your dog becomes too excited or overly energetic during playtime, walk or training. A relaxed owner leads to a relaxed pet and vice versa.
If the excitement gets too much, remove him from the situation and then take him for a walk or a time out in his crate to calm down before letting him back in the house again.
This will only take a few minutes and it should help reset him before he gets into more trouble or cause more damage to your household items.
Try to calm them down with treats and praise when they calm down and relax after becoming hyper.
Playing with them or giving extra treats while they are overexcited usually encourages them to continue being hyper and excited instead of calming down and relaxing.
Also Read: Why Do German Shepherds Whine?
Final Words
German Shepherds are known for being independent and loyal.
However, they’re also very protective of their owners. This is why they make great guard dogs.
However, German Shepherds are misunderstood. They’re good dogs, but they can be challenging to own.
That’s why it’s crucial to socialize them at a young age and teach them obedience. When properly trained and socialized, they can become great pets.
Overall, German Shepherds make great pets if they’re properly trained and socialized from a young age.
German Shepherd quiet may take a while to get used to their new owners but if you’re patient they’ll eventually calm down and become your loving pet you’ve always wanted them to be.
Between the ages of 5 and 7, German shepherds should be fully mature and start showing their true colors.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to raising a German Shepherd puppy, which is why you should be prepared for some challenges along the way.
Remember that German Shepherds may never be as loyal and friendly as a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever, but they are still one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there.
Looking back, having a quiet German Shepherd was a blessing in disguise; however, it certainly wasn’t easy to raise a nervous dog who was afraid of everything and everyone around him.