Everyone knows that a German Shepherd dog is a terrific guard dog and very smart. It has also been noted that German Shepherd dogs are a very noble canine. This was recently highlighted once again in the news.
Friday’s expressway incident gives us one more reason to admire this wonderful breed of dog. A female German Shepherd was hit by a car and lay bleeding and helpless when another German Shepherd came on the scene, weaving its way through the traffic to the side of the injured Shepherd. This modern-day hero was there to protect its fellow canine, but in this case, the mother of the hero. Against all odds and traffic, this hero barked and lunged at anyone who tried to help, holding off help until the officials were finally able to get to the injured Shepherd and transport it to the Vet for treatment.
What is it in their make-up that causes them to put their own life in jeopardy? It is their built-in instinct that enabled the German shepherd hero to rush headlong into traffic and loyally stand guard, something missing even in some humans today. We have heard many unusual stories about German shepherds in the past and wonder at their loyal acts in protecting their owners. Some of us have actually experienced watching their loyalty grow as the German shepherd becomes used to his new family.
When we became owners to a very unfriendly German Shepherd, I was a little skeptical at ever letting it near my children or myself. Each day I spoke gently to him whenever I went near his fenced area and especially so when I fed him. Finally the weather was so cold and he looked so pitiful out side that I decided to bring him inside the house. He cautiously stepped just inside the door and lay down beside it. No further. After a few nights spent there by the door, he ventured over to the fireplace when he came inside. I felt better and so each night we all said good night and left him by the dying embers. One night when we went upstairs, Fonzie (I know) went with us as far as the stairs and slept there. I gave it no thought when, another night or so, he slept on the landing where the stairs turned. Nor did I give much thought to his move to the top of the stairs a few nights later, nor the move to outside my door. It was a few nights later when he scratched on my door and I let him inside and he promptly lay down beside my bed. It was then that I realized I’d been duped. Never under-estimate the intelligence of a German Shepherd and never let it go to waist. A good [German Shepherd training program|Learning how to train a German Shepherd] can mean the difference between a great dog and a disaster.
For expert advice on how to train my dog see our link.
