2) Worming. Dogs need to be wormed to get rid of intestinal worms and to prevent Heartworm. A fairly reliable monthly tablet is the Heartguard Chewables (monthly) for the prevention of Heartworm, or dogs can get a yearly injection. One of the cheapest place to buy Heartguard Chewables is:
Budget Pet Products. They sell a range of pet products at cheaper than store or vet prices. A good all-wormer for intestinal worms is Drontal All-Wormer, however, alternately, you can use Fossil Shell flour which is a natural de-wormer sold by Avian Vitality. (N.b care needs to be taken not to breathe in this flour when using it.) |
5) Shelter Animals If it's cold outside and you are snuggled up warmly in bed, spare a thought for the stray and unwanted dogs shivering and alone in their pens in shelters. Adopting or fostering a dog (or cat) from a shelter is a rewarding thing to do. A shelter dog or cat can make a good companion for your German Shepherd or White Swiss Shepherd. Be sure to arrange dogs to meet on neutral territory and always treat them the same without favouring one above the other. Separate them when feeding and when preparing their meals as dogs can be very possessive of their food. Don't expect all to go smoothly when introducing another being into your dog's family, whether a baby or another animal; jealous animals can be problematic. Things usually resolve themselves in time though and with a lot of patience on your part.
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6) Separation anxiety. Your German Shepherd Dog or White Swiss Shepherd will form such a close bond with you that they will want to be with you at all times, loving you and protecting you.
When you are absent from them they can suffer anxiety attacks which may, to reduce their stress levels, cause them to damage your house or garden. It is not their fault. Dogs are pack animals and you are their pack leader and they look to you for instructions. When you aren't there they feel lost. Barking or howling can be their way of calling to you; this is how wolves located each other. Try leaving the house with the radio on while your dog is outside and sneak out quietly-sometimes it works. It's best not to leave your dogs alone for any length of time. People who own a dog and are at work all day need to think about doggy day-care where their dog can go and play with other dogs during the day. Dogs do not do well left alone in a house or a back yard. Giving a dog a Kong filled with treats may help to divert a bored and lonely dog. N.b. Never leave a dog unsupervised with a bone, bones can become stuck in a dog's mouth causing a lot of distress and often can cause lacerations. |
14) Sticks. Dogs should not be encouraged to fetch sticks. Sticks have been the cause of mouth lacerations and eye injuries. Solid rubber balls are safer or soft toys. See web articles: Playing fetch with sticks. VetWest |
16) Talking G.S.D. One of the funniest talking G.S.D. clips you will see is at mypetdogs.net
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23) Quality Food.
Despite the colourful labels on dog food products a lot of products are just offal and stuff that is not fit for human consumption.For a list of Dog product recalls go to Dog Food Advisor. Its advisable to always give your dogs fresh mince that is human -grade quality, mixed with a good dog biscuit. Be careful when buying treats to buy from a reputable source and that they come from Australia. |
24) Vegetarians. Dogs can be fed a vegetarian diet and some dogs are healthier on such diets-for the pros and cons see the webs listed below :
Vegan Health PETA Dog Nutrition Pet MD |
25) Why dogs are better than a Husband:
1.Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public. 2.Dogs miss you when you're gone. 3.You never wonder whether your dog is good enough for you. 4.Dogs feel guilt when they've done something wrong. 5.Dogs admit when they're jealous. 6.Dogs don't feel threatened by your intelligence 7.You can train a dog. 8.You are never suspicious of your dog's dreams. 9.Gorgeous dogs don't know they're gorgeous. 10.Dogs understand what "No" means 11.Dogs understand if some of their friends cannot come inside. 12.Dogs think you are a culinary genius. 13.You can force a dog to take a bath. 14.Middle-aged dogs don't feel the need to abandon you for a younger owner. 15.Dogs don't mind if you do all the driving. 16.Dogs admit it when they're lost. 17.Dogs do not care whether you shave your legs. 18.Dogs take care of their own needs. 19.Dogs aren't threatened if you earn more than they do. 20.Dogs are nice to your relatives. |
26) Why dogs are better than a wife.
1. The later you are, the more excited they are to see you. 2. Dogs will forgive you for playing with other dogs. 3. Dogs don't care if you call them by another dog's name. 4. Dogs like it if you leave a lot of things on the floor. 5. A dog's parents never visit. 6. Dogs agree that you have to raise your voice to get your point across. 7. Dogs can't talk. 8. You never have to wait for a dog; they're ready to go 24-hours a day. 9. Dogs find you amusing when you're drunk. 10. Dogs like to go hunting. 11. A dog will not wake you up at night to ask, "If I died would you get another dog?" 12. When you return, a dog never asks where you've been. 13. A dog will let you put a studded collar on it without calling you a pervert. 14. If a dog smells another dog on you, they don't get mad; they just think it's interesting. 15. Dogs like to ride in the back of a pickup truck. 16. If a dog leaves, it won't take half your stuff. 17. When you go out, a dog never asks where you're going. 18. If a dog has babies, you can put an ad in the paper and give them away. 19. Dogs love it when your friends come over. 20. Dogs like it when you leave the toilet seat up. |
30) Treat training. This video is of German Shepherd puppies being trained with treats.
Puppy Training. |
31)Tricks.Video of how to teach a dog to 'speak' and other tricks.
Dog Tricks |
37) Mixed breeding.
There is a problem in Australia with people who own white German Shepherds going into breeding White Swiss Shepherds, but cross-breeding the two. Puppies from these litters are being sold as White Swiss Shepherds. Be careful to buy a W.S.S. from an ethical breeder who only breeds W.S.S. and can supply the pedigrees of the bitch and the dog, and has never sold a white G.S.D. pup as a White Swiss Shepherd.Cross-bred dogs are not genuine White Swiss Shepherds. White German Shepherds are not White Swiss Shepherds although disreputable people are calling them such to get more money from the puppies. A genuine W.S.S. will come with an A.N.K.C. pedigree. Make sure you get one. Contact this club for a list of ethical breeders. 39) Dogs and allergies
As we enter spring and begin to think about hay-fever be aware that your dog can have allergies too, and not just to grass or pollen. If your dog is constantly scratching and fleas aren't the cause it could be a food allergy; or an environmental allergy; or an allergy to the cat or dog or other pet it lives with. See the below webs for more info. The Bark Healthy Pets PetMeds Drsfostersmith |
38)Toxic Toys.
Beware of latex and other toys from China, for dogs or children. They can contain chemicals that are toxic when sucked on. Balls marketed for dogs can also contain toxins. For more info go to: Poisoned Pets WATOXICS The Bark Dogington Post Pet Place 40) Dogs love walks
You may think that if you have a large back yard that your dog will be happy and not need to go for walks. Dogs, like humans, need stimuli, and a daily walk or two will help to overcome the boredom of confinement to a house and backyard. Remember that when dogs were wolves they roamed over a large territory and although dogs have adapted to live with humans they still need a 'territory' to walk in. Remember to let your dogs sniff scents that are interesting to them and not hurry them on when they stop to sniff something (unless that something is dead or smelly). Dogs get their understanding of their surroundings by smell rather that sight. We humans have 5million scent detecting cells in our nose, a G.S.D/W.S.S has 225 million! So let your dog sniff as it walks. aces.edu Dog Breed info Whole Dog Journal |
43) Toxic plants There are many plants that are toxic to dogs. For a list go to:
Pet Poison Hotline Burkes Backyard |
44) Elbow Dysplasia is the most common cause of forelimb lameness in large and giant breed dogs. For good info webs go to:
Fitzpatrick referrals Pet Education |
45) Bee stings. Spring blossoms attract bees and a bee sting on the tongue can kill a dog. If this happens to your dog and its tongue swells up give the dog a crushed 2mg.Polaramine anti-histamine tablet under its tongue (or administer regular Benedryl liquid) and apply ice. Get the dog to a vet as quickly as possible.
Hills Pet Paw Rescue BarkPost Preventive Vet |
46) Children and Dogs On the whole your white G.S.D/W.S.S will get on well with your children as they are good tempered dogs. However the rule of thumb is never leave your child unsupervised around any dog. Children can accidently hurt a puppy or dog by rough play (or by dropping a pup), so if you don't want to compromise your child or your dog then always supervise their interaction and teach children how to handle a puppy or a dog gently and never to put their faces up close to dog. Kids and dogs Dogs and Children ASPCA
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52) Holidaying with dogs. Want to take your best friend on holidays with you? Here are some webs with pet friendly accommodation listed:
SouthAustralia Holidaying with Dogs Adelaide Now |
58) Bathtime. Dog's do not enjoy being bathed although they usually love to swim in a river or the sea. If your dog is being brushed regularly a bath every two or three times a year is all that it really needs. If you are Showing, the dog will need a bath before the Show but apart from that, brushing will get rid of excess hair and dried on dirt. Excess washing a dog removes the oil which keeps its coat waterproof.
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63) Hot Weather Tip #2 When walking your dog in hot weather check to see if the road or pavement you are walking your dog on is hot to the touch. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot on it will be uncomfortable for your dog and could blister his paws. Early mornings and after sunset when it becomes cooler underfoot is the best time for doggy walks. Remember on longer walks to take water with you, for you and for your dog.
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64) Hot Weather Tip #3
Spring and summer are snake times in Australia. Best not to let your dogs off leash in areas where you can't see where they are going. Avoid long grass and logs by the sides of rivers. Sand dunes can also harbour snakes. For your yard a Sentinel device which vibrates the ground may keep snakes away. Best to keep your dog inside as much as possible in snake season. |
65) Hot Weather Tip #4
Dogs can get sunburnt on pink areas of skin such as on the top of the nose or inside the ears. A doggy sunblock can be obtained from the vet, and this can be applied when your dog is out in the sun. nb. even dogs with black noses can get sunburn and can get skin cancer. Don't leave any dog out in the sun if you can help it. If they have to be outside provide shade for them. |
69) Canine Life Rules
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75) Video of a white German Shepherd rescued from a desert in the USA
Venus |
76) Search and Rescue
Active, fit, noisy dogs can be good for search and rescue work. S&R Australia GSD's Tracking |
78) Video of a G.S.D bored with his attack training who makes everyone laugh. G.S.D
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79) Heat Exhaustion. Dogs bred for European conditions don't do so well in our climate. A white dog will do better than a coloured dog as white reflects the heat but white dogs can have exposed areas of pink skin that need protection. For info on heat stress click here- Heat Exhaustion
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81) Paw Protection
Hot roads and pavements in summer are a trap for dog- walkers. You want to walk your dog but you don't realize how hot the surfaces are the dogs are walking on. If you want to know if the pavement or road is too hot test it with your bare feet. If it is too hot for you then your dog's paws could get burnt. For more info go to: Paws |
80) Anatomy of GSD/WSS. Click on Anatomy to see the external and internal anatomical names of your Swiss or German Shepherd. Anatomy
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