In general, all physical activities for a German Shepherd should be uniform, and they should be carried out regularly. There are situations when every day the German Shepherd sleeps on the couch and does nothing, and on weekends the owners force it to run.
You can’t do that. Running is a cyclical exercise that develops endurance in German Shepherds, as well as makes its body healthier. Wellness running is considered to be a very simple, as well as an affordable type of exercise, so this exercise is the most popular.
Is a treadmill suitable for GSD?
However, due to the fact that life in cities is now very stressful and fast, not everyone will be able to run with their German Shepherd about 20 miles per day. In this case, you can use a treadmill.
Naturally, a treadmill is simply not able to replace a long walk in the fresh air with a German Shepherd dog, however, it will perfectly complement your German Shepherd’s daily walks.
However, when using a treadmill, remember that depending on the German Shepherd’s age, breed, as well as fitness, time and distance will vary. Pay attention to the condition of the German Shepherd’s health, what diseases it has, as well as injuries.
Before you start training, you need to contact your veterinarian for advice. With some diseases, it is simply impossible to conduct such classes. All physical exercises that your German Shepherds will be engaged in should have a diverse load on the muscles, they should consist of different movements. However, it is forbidden to give too much load.
What suits your GSD for daily activity
You can focus on exercises like these:
- running
- walking on a leash
- swimming
- walk on a treadmill
In addition, a wonderful exercise for German Shepherds will be the movement of both running up and down the stairs. This is great for strengthening the back legs and avoiding hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.
In general, separate exercises are selected for each German Shepherd, depending on the condition of its joints, age, and health. Insufficient loads are more unpleasant than excessive ones, but if you do it incorrectly, they can also cause harm to the German Shepherds.
Training is very important for German Shepherds because running is able to regulate the dog’s weight, improve its cardiovascular activity, and strengthen bones and joints.
When running, the German Shepherd’s gastrointestinal tract works better, it becomes more resilient and self-confident, less aggressive. If the German Shepherds are well developed physically, then it ages easier, immunity becomes better, the size of the chest increases, as well as reproduction.
How to Run Properly with a GSD?
No matter how simple running with a German Shepherd may seem, it also has certain rules that are very important to follow so that it gives pleasure to you and your dog. That’s true for all other dog breeds. For example, you need to know where to run, how to run correctly, and what to pay attention to when choosing a track.
In the conditions of the city, it is very difficult to choose a route for jogging. Running on a hard surface: asphalt, concrete, paving slabs, or paving stones is not recommended for German Shepherds. For you, too, besides. The lack of proper cushioning negatively affects the joints of the animal, because they do not have special sports shoes. Give preference to dirt paths, lawns, and paths in the park, and forest belt.
Weather for jogging
It is necessary to monitor the condition of your companion’s lamas (pads). Jogging on hard roads contributes to the abrasion of soft tissues, and is also traumatic.
There is always a risk of stepping on broken glass or piercing objects. In winter, try to avoid roads sprinkled with reagents or salt. In summer, hot asphalt is a danger. Winter keeping, of course, has many nuances.
Do not feed the German Shepherds before jogging and for about an hour after it. This can cause nausea or vomiting. But light treats, such as special cookies or a little cheese, can be taken with you and treated to a pet in the form of encouragement. Be sure to bring water with you. During physical exertion, the animal can overheat, so it needs to drink enough.
In summer, when the thermometer rises above 77° F (25° C), it is worth giving up jogging in the daytime. Reschedule classes for early morning or evening. Thermoregulation of fastest dog breeds is different from humans and physical activity during the heat will be a serious test for the health of the dog.
Where to Start and How to Run Properly
- The first and most important condition is the dog’s age.
To accustom the puppy to physical exertion, namely to running should be from 3-4 months of age. However, do not expect a quick result. The baby will quickly get tired, get in the way, get distracted by other animals and play, often want to drink, etc. Do not set sky–high goals and strive for Olympic records – a 1-1.5 miles per hour run is already an excellent result.
- Take frequent breaks to rest.
At the same time, you should take several breaks (approximately every 150-200 meters) to play and rest. Gradually increase the distance between stops, and then the entire distance by about 500 m per week. You will receive a fully prepared “runner” only by the age of one year. In order to run comfortably with your GSD, it must necessarily know and perform elementary commands: Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel, Off, and No.
- Use active games as a warm-up.
Otherwise, it will be difficult for you not only to start training but also just to walk or play catch-up. As in any sport, there should be a warm–up before the main load – simple exercises for you and your pet will help warm up the muscles before jogging. Carefully monitor the condition of the animal. When choosing a track and running pace, focus primarily on the capabilities of the pet. Your dog may try to keep up with you, but at the same time it will be difficult and uncomfortable for it, it will quickly get tired and refuse to continue jogging.
- And once again, be aware of the age.
Jogging with a dog, and even running in the morning will successfully replace the purchase of a gym membership, make friends with your pet and give a lot of positive emotions. But remember that after reaching 10-12 years old, the dog will no longer be able to be your companion in this sport. A veterinarian’s consultation will help you choose the optimal level of physical activity for an elderly pet, as safe as possible for its health.
How to Start Training a Puppy?
German Shepherds grow very fast. It is important that the puppy’s training is timely and correct, you can do it yourself, but in compliance with the scheme recommended by specialists.
- 2-4 months
At the age of 2 months, a puppy needs to be taught to respond and resort to a nickname, know its place, go to the toilet in the tray, and wear a collar. After vaccination and quarantine, they are accustomed to a leash, and they begin full-fledged walks. At 16 weeks, the German Shepherd must perform the commands “Sit”, “To me”, and “Place”, and know the basics of apportionment.
- 4-6 months
If you start training in time, at 3 months the puppy behaves correctly and executes commands. The duration of training is increased to 20 minutes with a top speed of 12 miles per hour. As a result of regular training from the fourth to the sixth month, the pet learns the commands “Lie Down”, “Stand”, “Next” and “Not allowed”. First of all, they cultivate self-control, practicing each action so that the dog remains in a certain position until it hears “Walk”.
- 7 months and older
At six months of age, German Shepherds begin puberty, with which comes stubbornness and impudence. The dog tries to take a leading position but sometimes does not obey. You need to train your GDS hard for seven months, at least 40 minutes with a top speed of 15-20 miles per hour a day, practicing basic and additional commands. With trained German, they visit dog training grounds, where they are taught to overcome barriers, crawl, and move around the boom and stairs. With age, German Shepherds run worse, their speed can decrease to half a mile per hour. German Shepherds need to run even at an older age in order to maintain their health issues.
German Shepherd at Competition
Often the fastest, the German Shepherd breed is used in various competitions. There, the main parameter is running. The running speed is measured in miles per hour. Many owners of German Shepherds have been preparing for such competitions for a long time, diligently training their pets. Usually, the running top speed there starts from 30 miles per hour and can exceed 50 miles per hour. World records are often set at such competitions. And German Shepherd speed is one of the leaders.
Often the fastest dog breeds (guard dogs) participate in such competitions: German Shepherd dogs (police dogs, working dogs, guard dogs), Jack Russell Terriers (the fastest dog breed), Afghan hounds (often Afghan hounds take prizes on the agility course), Border collies, great Danes, there are also other dog breeds. Dog racing has long been considered good entertainment. Previously, other breeds of the fastest dogs were used for such entertainment. Originally bred, a special kind of muscular dog was bred, which later became a working dog. The dog’s body helped them develop top speed. The fastest dogs eventually suffered from a disease – hip dysplasia. The top speed started at 30 miles per hour and ended at 60 miles per hour.
Contraindications to running
It happens that the dogs can’t run. These may also be temporary reasons, for example, pregnancy or not proper diet. And it happens that after a dog run, many dogs leave the competition forever because of problems with their hind legs and front legs, and joint problems.
Chapter FAQ
How fast can a full-grown German Shepherd run?
The maximum running speed in German Shepherd dogs reaches speeds from 30 to 50 miles per hour, depending on the physical conditioning and exercise sessions of the animal. However, most German Shepherds run are not hardy runners and should not run more than 8 km without proper endurance training. The German Shepherd is a sporty dog bred for top speed and endurance. They are ideal as running partners with proper training. Although they can reach a speed of about 50 miles per hour, most dogs prefer a calmer pace, ideal for moving next to a person. With professional training, German Shepherds, both independently and with a trainer, are able to overcome distances of up to 25 km or more at a time.
How fast can a German Shepherd run miles?
The average German Shepherd’s speed of running is 10-15 miles per hour if the dog is not trained. Accordingly, if you make a calculation, you can find out that the dog runs one mile in a little less than 10 minutes. Athletic and trained German Shepherds can reduce this time by 2 times.
What is the fastest that a dog can run?
The running top speed of the dog is up to 50 miles per hour. But this is not the running speed of an ordinary German Shepherd run, but of a trained one. Such German Shepherds are used either in work, in the police, or at exhibitions and races.
How long can a German Shepherd run without stopping?
The average duration of dog activity is 1-2 hours. This time is necessary for the dog to fully use up his physical abilities for the day. But without stopping, the dog can run for about 30-40 minutes at 20 miles per hour, again, this is an average-trained dog. More hardy and trained representatives of dogs can run without stopping and for a longer time.
Conclusion
Originally bred, German Shepherds were bred as service dogs, but over time they became not only service dogs, but also good friends. One of the fastest breeds of large dogs, whose running peak speed exceeds 30 miles per hour, is proved by the coursing ability test. Running for dogs is very useful. Fast runners have strong muscles, long legs, and flexible spines.
