Once youve brought your German shepherd home, its time to start training.

Though Shepherds have a reputation for instability, the fact is, with the help of an experienced obedience instructor, your dog can be extremely well trained. The first thing you need to understand is that dogs need to be trained from birth; they cannot be trained when they have already become adults. Trainers will tell you to always provide your Shepherd with plenty of regular exercise as well as mental stimulation to tame their rambunctious natures. Otherwise, you may find your bored doggie will turn to destructive chewing. If this occurs, simply sprinkle chair legs and other attractive targets with black or cayenne pepper to discourage chewing. Provide plenty of fresh water everyday, but especially after long walks. And introduce your dog to lots of friendly people so he can learn to recognize normal behavior of good guys; a dog thats isolated may become suspicious of everyone, which can lead to biting.

German shepherds shed constantly, so be prepared to do a lot of vacuuming. There are some tips to reduce the work load: Mix one part brewers yeast and garlic with two parts doggie stew, or try Mrs. Allens Shed Stop, which is also mixed with the dogs food. Daily brushing helps, but frequent bathing isnt necessary. And do remember to trim Fidos nails at least once every two weeks. A little care and lots of love help your German shepherd grow into a loyal and welcome member of the family for years to come!