When a German shepherd forms a bond with one family member to the seemingly exclusion of other people, it's because that person is their primary caretaker. That person typically is the one to provide food and water, train the dog, engage in playtime, and comfort them.
A GSD can bond almost entirely with one person but still protect everyone that belongs to the family unit. German Shepherds can bond sequentially, such as between handlers in the military or police. Moreover, Shepherd's bond can strengthen and decline with different individuals.
German Shepherds choose the person they respect and follow most closely. It is with this person that they feel most secure with and will address any fear-based anxieties. This is also the person that they feel they communicate best with.
German Shepherds choose their true master depending on who has the biggest role in the dog's early socialization and who presents themselves as the best “pack leader.”
Encouraging the Behavior
A loyal and protective dog will guard their owner when a threat is present but will remain calm and non-aggressive at all other times.
#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.
They are great family dogs but will usually still attach themselves to one member of the family. This usually will be a person that they respect and see as someone they perceive to be a strong individual with leadership qualities and traits.
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.
02/8German Shepherd
You are someone who knows how to get the job done. People can rely on you and you can very well take charge. You're the protector of the family and people are always loyal to you and grateful to have you.
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!”
Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
German Shepherd Dogs are protective of their loved ones
They can be aloof with strangers yet are not hostile. This natural protective instinct is reassuring to the German Shepherd owner.
If your dog puts his paw on you, it can be his way of saying I love you. We pet our dogs to show our love and affection. Turns out they do the same. By putting his paw on you whilst you are petting him, he is expanding contact and reciprocating affection back to you.
The causes of over protectiveness can be many. Usually, it's simply a lack of puppy training and guidance. When dogs are young, they are trained ground rules and learn to trust their owners. A bond develops between dog and owner.
Some of the most common ways that German Shepherds show affection include getting excited when you come home, wagging their tail, leaning against you, snuggling with you, acting protectively towards you, and rolling over to expose their belly for some rubs!
Excessive vocalization can just mean that your dog likes to talk too much and needs a little extra training. On the other hand, if it's accompanied by other behaviors or only happens in certain situations, it could be a sign of a behavioral problem, such as anxiety or aggression.
There are many reasons your dog may be clingier than usual. Some dogs are stressed or anxious, which can lead to separation anxiety. Age, changes in their environment, and health may also be factors. If your dog is “glued to your hip” suddenly, not to worry.
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.
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.
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.
While dogs do have many more rod cells (light-perceiving cells) in their eyes than we do, they also have some cone cells, the cells responsible for perceiving color. Dogs see the world in shades of blue, yellow, and gray. This means the most difficult colors for them to see are red and orange.
Yes, German Shepherds can be jealous dogs. When we start spending our time with someone else, or just not giving them enough attention, our German Shepherds can become jealous. This isn't anything bad, and it's, according to new case studies, normal behavior for any dog breed.
The Male German Shepherd:
They are generally more territorial of their home and property while the female tend to be more protective of their “people” instead of their property.