Edition: 5 Nov 2023
Training Breakdown: How to fix your Shepherd’s ADD
For this week's training breakdown, we're going to look at American Standard Dog Training's method for managing Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in Shepherds. ADD isn't inherently negative, but it can be challenging when you want your Shepherd to be obedient for sustained periods of time.
ADD in Shepherds is best described as a propensity for distraction by random stimulus. This typically manifests itself as what I call the “butterfly effect”. You know, when you call your Shepherd and they dash towards you, only to veer off in pursuit of a butterfly at the last moment.
Butterfly effect in full force.
Here's a step-by-step guide as taught by American Standard Dog Training (video below):
Gather a large and a small touchpad, an E-collar, some small treats, and head to an open area with minimal distractions.
Position the large touchpad to your left, the spot you want your Shepherd to target when called back.
Call your Shepherd, aiming for them to place their front paws on the touchpad.
Begin with the E-collar on a low setting to gently encourage your Shepherd to come to you, gradually increasing the intensity if necessary. Introduce the E-collar's stimulation just before calling them, and follow up with a treat for successful responses.
Initially, any orientation of your Shepherd on the touchpad is acceptable, though the heel position is ideal.
Once your Shepherd is on the touchpad and paying attention, reward them at consistent intervals as long as they maintain their position and focus. If they look at you, reward them immediately.
If your Shepherd steps off the touchpad, apply the E-collar stimulation to deter this behavior.
To signify a break, gently touch their nose and say "free." Use these breaks to reset.
Continue repeating the process from steps 3 to 8 until your Shepherd consistently comes to and remains on the touchpad, reducing the frequency of treats and E-collar usage as they demonstrate improved obedience.
If your Shepherd is on the touchpad but lacks attentiveness—such as looking around—command them to "watch." Offer a reward for eye contact, and apply E-collar stimulation if they look away, followed by a reward when they comply.
Swap the large touchpad for the smaller one to elevate the difficulty level, and repeat steps 3 to 9. Reward your Shepherd if they approach the pad and exhibit attentiveness, even if they don't land perfectly on it.
Eventually, remove the touchpad entirely and repeat steps 3 to 9. Your Shepherd should intuitively sit in front of you or in the heel position if directed.
And that's the process!
If you're a visual learner, feel free to watch the original video:
Picking Tips: Boy or Girl?
If you're considering adding a GSD to your family, it's important to understand how gender can influence your choice.
Many potential owners don't realize that gender can play a significant role in a dog's behavior and compatibility with their human companions. For instance, did you know that male GSDs are typically more independent than females, while females are typically known for forming stronger bonds with all family members? Did you also know that females are typically more trainable, while males are often more suited for property protection?
These characteristics aren't ironclad rules but tendencies that are essential to consider when selecting your new pup. With that in mind, I've compiled a detailed comparison chart highlighting the distinct traits of male and female GSDs, allowing you to determine the best match for your lifestyle and preferences.
Care breakdown: How to manage your GSD’s shedding
GSDs are extremely big shedders (if you haven’t noticed already 👀). They have a double layered coat which consists of an outer guard layer and a softer undercoat.
The outer guard layer is made up of coarser hairs which protects them from rain, snow, dirt, the sun and even parasites. This layer is highly water resistant and also repels moisture. The undercoat has a different purpose. It acts as their insulation, keeping them warm during colder periods and cooler during warmer periods. Their undercoat typically develops when they are around 4 to 6 months old.
Due to their double layered coat, they shed constantly, all year round. It is, however, typically more intense during spring and fall.
German Shepherd? More like “German Shedder”
So, how do you manage this? Well, here are our top 4 rules for managing GSD shedding:
Daily brushing is a must. I know, “daily“ sounds exhausting - but it makes a huge difference. Just 5 minutes a day is all it takes. The idea is to catch the dead undercoat hairs with your brush before they fall out all over the floor and on your clothes.
Keep your GSD indoors as much as possible. This is particularly true if you live in a cold climate. The longer they are outside, the more their body’s responds to the adverse weather, the thicker their coat will grow, and the more shedding they will do at the seasonal change.
If your GSD is a female, consider spay surgery. Female GSDs shed like crazy after they’ve been in heat, so spay surgery is a good idea to reduce shedding. In fact, there are no health benefits in not having spay surgery done (at the appropriate age), as long as you do not plan to breed your female, of course.
Book a professional groomer! Set up a regular grooming cadence. I recommend every 4 - 6 weeks. Washing their coat is a major de-hairing process that is key to keeping the shedding down. The washing and drying part of grooming is one of the messiest (and often most difficult) parts of grooming, so let a professional do it. Try to introduce professional grooming as young as possible.
Thanks for reading this week’s addition of the Das Shepherd Newsletter! Shoot me an email if you loved ❤ , hated 😡 or thought this edition was meh 🤷. Also, send through a picture of your Shepherd so I can share it in an upcoming newsletter edition!
