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As a first time German Shepherd owner I have learned a lot, really fast, from Sasha. I was lucky in that I found this forum before I got Sasha, so I had some idea about some things. Here's a small list of what I have found:
1) You'll never find anything that loves you more...
2) They're smart enough to outsmart you if you aren't on your game (example: Sasha knows I don't allow her to eat from the table, but my brother does. She will sit directly behind me, so that I can't see her, and my brother will feed her behind my back if I'm not paying attention lol)...
3) They love to learn, but need a lot of consistency...
4) Perhaps the biggest thing I learned, that I wish I would have known beforehand (not that it would have prevented me from getting her, but it would have been nice to know) They shed SOOO much! I was shocked, and continue to be shocked at the amount of hair my girl can lose and still not be bald
5) Mental stimulation is almost more important than physical, and if you can combine mental and physical stimulation that is the ultimate good/fun.
6) People have a lot of preconceived notions about how your dog will be (vicious, overprotective, etc.) This can be good and bad. Good when you've got someone creepy around you. Bad if it's just a normal person. So you have to work extra hard to make sure they aren't that way.
7) Not every rental place will let you keep them, either due to size or breed. So if you rent be committed to finding a place every time you move that will allow you to keep them. Recognize that this can mean paying extra. When they have a person, they love them will all their heart, so it's not fair to give one up just because you didn't think about housing before hand.
8) They have a lot to say. Not necessarily barking, but just talking.
9) Once you have one, you want another one haha! Their loyalty, willingness to learn, love, quirky personalities, are more addictive than anything I've ever come across.
1) You'll never find anything that loves you more...
2) They're smart enough to outsmart you if you aren't on your game (example: Sasha knows I don't allow her to eat from the table, but my brother does. She will sit directly behind me, so that I can't see her, and my brother will feed her behind my back if I'm not paying attention lol)...
3) They love to learn, but need a lot of consistency...
4) Perhaps the biggest thing I learned, that I wish I would have known beforehand (not that it would have prevented me from getting her, but it would have been nice to know) They shed SOOO much! I was shocked, and continue to be shocked at the amount of hair my girl can lose and still not be bald
5) Mental stimulation is almost more important than physical, and if you can combine mental and physical stimulation that is the ultimate good/fun.
6) People have a lot of preconceived notions about how your dog will be (vicious, overprotective, etc.) This can be good and bad. Good when you've got someone creepy around you. Bad if it's just a normal person. So you have to work extra hard to make sure they aren't that way.
7) Not every rental place will let you keep them, either due to size or breed. So if you rent be committed to finding a place every time you move that will allow you to keep them. Recognize that this can mean paying extra. When they have a person, they love them will all their heart, so it's not fair to give one up just because you didn't think about housing before hand.
8) They have a lot to say. Not necessarily barking, but just talking.
9) Once you have one, you want another one haha! Their loyalty, willingness to learn, love, quirky personalities, are more addictive than anything I've ever come across.
