German Shepherd: channel working drive through structured, reward-based tasks with clear starts and finishes.
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German Shepherd: channel working drive through structured, reward-based tasks with clear starts and finishes.
Breed profile
Training group
Herding and cattle dogs
Origin
The German Shepherd originated in Germany, first for herding and later for working and service roles.
Shoulder height
55–65 cm
Weight
22–40 kg
Coat
Double coat
Coat care
Build voluntary acceptance of brushing, coat checks, airflow and dryer noise, alongside calm handling of paws, ears and the whole growing body.
Drive keywords
Cooperation with people · Guarding · Endurance
Handling practice
Condition double-coat brushing, coat checks, airflow and dryer noise in small voluntary steps before the dog's body becomes much larger. · Practise calm paw, toe-space, ear and whole-body checks, plus cooperative standing and repositioning without physical wrestling.
General reference ranges only; individual dogs vary considerably.
05
Development has a clock
The 8–16 week window
Between eight and sixteen weeks, the puppy is learning what is safe, ordinary and worth avoiding.
You cannot pause this developmental period. The goal is not maximum exposure; it is carefully controlled experience at an intensity the puppy can process.
Development timeline
0–3 weeksNeonatal period
Basic sensory and physical development.
3–8 weeksDog-to-dog socialisation
Early dog-to-dog learning begins with littermates and stable adult dogs and continues after the puppy goes home.
8–16 weeksHuman and environmental socialisation sensitive period
Build calm, positive or neutral associations with ordinary life.
About 8–11 weeksFirst fear period
One intense fright can create a durable fear memory.
4–6 monthsTeething
Chewing needs increase as adult teeth replace puppy teeth.
6–12 monthsAdolescence
Expect a second fear period and a temporary “selective hearing” phase.
Sleep requirement
18–20 hours every day at eight weeks
Sleep loss often intensifies frantic biting, zooming and difficulty settling. Use scheduled, protected naps; see Chapters 7 and 19.
Attention span
2–3 minutes, 4–6 times a day
Several tiny successful sessions teach more than one exhausted 30-minute session.
Training with FluffyWA
Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.
