The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most adored dogs out there. If you are a kind of dog owner that likes to have multiple pets in your household, I am sure you would like to know do German Shepherds get along with other dogs.
Well, this is quite a complex subject that depends on a couple of variables. Just like we cannot say for a certain dog breed that it is dangerous, or that it is completely safe to be around it – we cannot say that all GSDs are good or not good around other dogs.
This will depend greatly on each individual dog, its surroundings, and the way the owner raises his dog.
Now, let’s see how a German Shepherd puppy might act around other dogs, and how German Shepherd owners can influence this dog’s behavior.
Do German Shepherds Get Along With Other Dogs?
The German Shepherd is certainly the most famous working dog in the world. It was originally bred as a herding dog to guard sheep, while today many of these dogs work as police dogs, military dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
Thanks to its friendly and gentle character, the German Shepherd is also known as a favorite family dog. We know this dog is good with people, but is he equally good with other dogs?
The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog, has a great ability to learn and is ready to work, so it always looks forward to new challenges. So, this dog is one of the most suitable dogs for any task you assign it.
Also, this dog is devoted and loyal to its owners – there is no thing a GSD loves more than seeing its owners happy.
When you consider all these excellent qualities, and you wonder how this dog gets along with other dogs – you should use all the learning abilities of the GSD to teach him to live with other dogs.
This dog can get along well with other dogs, provided it is socialized and trained from an early age. Also, the German Shepherd must have enough activity so that it does not show destructive behavior, including aggression, especially towards other dogs.
Does A German Shepherd Need A Pack?
A German Shepherd is a social dog, just like any other. All dogs need company, but these dogs especially. Many GSD owners are well aware that this dog does not do good on his own.
When you return home from work, you might encounter a whining German Shepherd, which can be a sign of separation anxiety in your dog.
Since the German Shepherd gets so attached to its owners, it does not stand well to be away from them. This can become very exhausting for dog owners, since they need to leave their house and occasionally leave their pet at home.
In these situations you can use some tips on how to keep your dog entertained while you are at work. Also, many dog owners will consider getting a new dog, so their German Shepherd wouldn’t feel alone anymore.
Is this a good idea? Well, it might be! If you properly introduce your GSD to your new dog, and if you have worked on your dog’s socialization from a young age – then this should not be a problem.
Your German Shepherd might just enjoy a pack, and you and your family members could leave your house without feeling guilty to leave your family pets alone for a couple of hours
Of course, every dog is different, and you probably already know what to expect from your GSD. If you have not taken your dog to the dog park often, and he has not encountered many dogs in his life, he is more likely to show aggressive behavior and to be hostile towards your new dog.
How To Make GSD Get Along With Other Dogs?
There are some things you can do to make your GSD get along better with other dogs. This working breed is highly intelligent, so, with the right approach, you can train your dog to do so many things.
The German Shepherd is a companion dog, and you should not give up on having another dog together with him, if you would like this.
Having multiple dogs in your household might seem hard at first, but, with time and effort, you get to have a home filled with your well-socialized furry friends!
1. Early Socialization
Early exposure to different dogs outside your home is a number one rule to raise a socialized German Shepherd.
When you take your GSD puppy to the dog park from a young age, this way your dog will meet different dogs; smaller dogs like Chihuahuas, and larger dogs like Rottweilers or Labradors.
Once your GSD gets used to seeing other dogs on a daily basis, he might start playing with them. If you notice this looks more like a rough play, you should keep your dog close to you. Also, always use a leash and collar while you are outside with your GSD.
Your GSD might not react well to the presence of other dogs in the beginning. But, all good things take time. So, just make sure your dog, as well as all other dogs around him, are perfectly safe, and that you are always around.
You also might find some new friends walking all those wonderful dogs in the dog park, so, both you and your GSD will enjoy this experience!
2. Dog Training
You can do miracles with proper training, effort, and patience while teaching your German Shepherd how to behave around other dogs.
The positive reinforcement method is the best one to use in training your GSD. This means providing your dog with a lot of praise and his favorite treats once he shows obedience.
The German Shepherd is a highly trainable dog, and this dog loves new challenges. So, you just need to show this dog that his new assignment is behaving nice around other dogs.
Once your dog realizes what you expect him to do, he will show you his remarkable learning abilities!
3. Choose A Reputable Dog Breeder
Taking care of your dog starts even before you welcome this dog to your home. One of the essential things to do is choosing a reputable German Shepherd breeder.
Why is this important for the socialization of your future dog? Responsible dog breeders take care of their dogs well-being, health, and behavior.
A reputable breeder is the one that helps you understand all potential health issues in your GSD, as well as the one that takes care that all of his dogs are socialized and trained.
Of course, you will probably take home a young puppy that can’t be so socialized yet, but a kennel is a place where every puppy gets its first social contacts.
You can immediately tell by the puppy’s behavior whether it is socialized, whether it is afraid of contact with people and animals, or whether it shows friendly behavior and a desire for company.
So, first of all, choose wisely the breeder to buy your German Shepherd from.
Are German Shepherds Jealous Of Other Dogs?
We cannot say that all German Shepherds are aggressive dogs, or that they are not aggressive at all. Some GSD dogs might be jealous of other dogs, and they might show this even with some aggressive behaviors.
Simply said, German Shepherds are after all a herding dog with a strong prey drive. Also, these dogs are guard dogs, and they have natural instincts for taking care of their loved ones.
Due to this, a German Shepherd might see other dogs as a potential threat. Because of this, your GSD might be jealous of other dogs – he wants to make sure you are safe, but he also wants to be the only dog you give your attention to.
Once again we want to emphasize the importance of early socialization for these high-energy large dogs. When you start exposing your GSD to other dogs from its young age, eventually it will get used to their presence.
With time, your GSD is likely to stop acting jealousy, and will agree to share your attention with his dog pal.
Final Verdict
All dog owners who would like to have multiple pets in their household would love a simple answer to the question: do German Shepherds get along with other dogs?
You may be disappointed by the fact that there is no simple answer to this question. Some German Shepherds will get along great with other dogs, while some may be very hostile towards new pets.
The dog’s character is very important here, but your approach to socialization and raising your pet is also important.
A German Shepherd who is used to the company of other dogs and who has been socialized from an early age can easily get used to a new company.
Don’t forget how smart and easy to train these dogs are! Use these important characteristics to allow your German Shepherd to have fun socializing with other dogs.