Dogs, especially German Shepherds, instinctively follow the pack leader, which is you. Your dog should listen to your command and when he follows you around, he might just be waiting for one. Be firm in your tone, don't make your commands a question, and keep commands consistent.
German Shepherds will generally attach themselves to one person in the family, but they can still be a good family dog. Although they have their fair share of behavioral issues, these generally stem from a lack of leadership on the part of their pet parents.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Are German Shepherds Clingy? German Shepherds are well known for being clingy. They are often called “velcro dogs,” meaning they stick by you when you're around and want to always be by your side. This clinginess stems from their breeding purpose as sheep herders as they were constantly with the shepherds.
So, the bottom line is yes, a German shepherd will undoubtedly form a strong bond with just one person and be content to do so. However, they also make great family companions and they love to be the center of attention.
#1 – Herding
Bred for herding (well, technically tending), almost all German Shepherd Dogs love to herd. They will herd almost anything – kids, sheep, cats – so giving them an appropriate outlet for this instinct is a good thing. Whether you take lessons for fun or competition, your Shepherd will be in seventh heaven.
While bonding may be easier with a puppy, even an adult German Shepherd can bond with their person for life. German Shepherd puppies begin to bond with people during a critical stage of attachment at 4 to 12-weeks-old. This is the primary and general habituation and socialization period for puppies.
Dogs' ability to communicate with humans is unlike any other species in the animal kingdom. They can sense our emotions, read our facial expressions, and even follow our pointing gestures.
German Shepherds are very bonded and loyal to their owners, and if you start giving more attention to your new dog, or any other dog, or pet, and spend less time with them, they can get jealous.
German Shepherd Dogs are protective of their loved ones
They are known for being fearless and self-confident. GSDs will assertively stand their ground and are suited to be either watchdog or guardian, whichever the situation demands. They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile.
If your choice of dog breed is German Shepherd, you are someone who is strong and dependable. You are tenacious and like to focus just like German Shepherds.
The Root of the Behavior
Noises which are far out of reach of the human ear are easily discernible to a German Shepherd's auditory senses. If they hear something which they don't recognize or can't decipher, they will try to tune into the sound more by tilting their heads. Think of it as directional sound capturing.
Many dog owners view dogs' licking as a sign of affection similar to kissing. Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues, including anxiety, boredom, or fear. Trick training is an effective way to redirect problem licking in a positive way.
Many German shepherd owners will also say that their males are more affectionate and goofy while their females are more reserved. That is not to say that females are not as sweet, some just may not be as cuddly. Both sexes are extremely curious about everything going on in their household.
Conclusion: Pawing means your dog wants your attention. If your dog puts their paw on you while you're spending time together, it's likely an expression of affection or the gestural equivalent of “pet me more!”
According to Animal Behaviorists, 'dogs don't understand human kisses the same way that humans do. ' When kissing a young puppy, you may not notice any signs of recognition at all because they have yet to associate kisses with affection.
Sometimes, dogs may go between their owner's legs seeking comfort or safety. Some research has found that medium and large dogs are more likely to demonstrate this behavior than small dogs. A lack of confidence, anxiety, or excitement can cause dogs to seek the closeness or protection of their owner's legs.
Burch explains, “Considering that dogs can detect cancer, diabetes, and seizures, we have every reason to believe that our dogs know when we are sick. Illness results in chemical changes in the body and changes in hormones and these changes can be detected by the dog's extraordinary sense of smell.”
Known as a one-man dog, the German Shepherd displays fierce loyalty and fidelity to his owner or main caretaker. However, the breed will bond with all of “his people” and makes an ideal family pet if they are properly trained and socialized as puppies.
When a dog is protecting a person, he's reacting to a dog or person approaching the pet owner and himself. Protective dog behavior manifests differently for different dogs. Dogs will either freeze, glare at the approaching person, snarl, show teeth, snap or even bite.