Marc Dubugras: How do I make a german shepherd happy in an apartment?
My apartment is fairly big and there's enough room for the dog to play with kids in the living room. There's garage with some even more space for kids to play with him. I live in front of a beach and i was planning to jog with the dog every 1 or 2 days, and there a park with a bunch of other dogs he could meet, so do you think a fully grown german shepherd would be happy?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by StellaStarfire
I think he needs more walking time than 1 or 2 days a week
Answer by Jesse Lopshire
Any dog can be happy in an apartment. I live in a small apartment with a smooth collie and a bluetick coonhound. Both are happy, calm, and quiet.
They key is to make sure they get enough exercise. A full-grown GSD? Every one or two days? Nope. That dog will become destructive. If you want a GSD, you must jog with him EVERY day. GSDs are a working breed and are not suitable to apartment life with a jog every couple of days.
On the days you don't jog with him (and it can't just be a short jaunt around the block) have you considered biking with him? If you bike with him, he can go at a brisk clip without you tiring out and holding him back. That way, the "walks" can be slightly shorter than your jogs because he will be able to go faster and expend more energy. We bike with our dogs every day. We bike until they start to slow down and then we ease up the pace and take our time getting back to the house. That way, everyone is kind of "cooled out" by the time we get home.
My recommendation is to keep the bike at a speed where he can briskly trot next to you.
The park is a great idea IF he is neutered and you know the dogs there. Be very careful at dog parks. Too many people take their dogs and let them off leash but don't have any control over them. That is when fights break out.
To be honest, if you change your amount of exercise time, I can see a GSD being very happy with you, especially if you have kids who love him and will play with him every day. I have never seen a dog happier than when he is playing with his kids.
Answer by Jojo
A fully grown German Shepherd dog needs at least 2 hours exercise EVERY day especially if kept in an apartment.
I hour of that should be off lead. They need mental stimulation as well like training basic exercises.
If the dog is from working lines it will need more mental stimulation than if it is from show or pet line breeding. SO try to find out the breeding if you plan to get a gsd.
Overall it depends on the basic nature of the gsd as to whether it will be "happy" living in an apartment.
If you plan on getting a fully grown gsd it will be wise to ensure it is used to kids before trusting it to "play" with them.
Also, check that it is well socialized with other dogs before expecting it to meet other dogs at the park.
Not sure if you are thinking of getting a pup or an adult so my answer is based on the assumption that you are getting an adult.
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