German shepherds are no doubt one of the most popular dog breeds. They are smart, agile, friendly, protective, and not to mention photogenic, so your social media will surely be a sight to see. However, just like any other pet, dog or not, they need care and attention to grow and become the beautiful companion any dog owner desires. If you want to raise a German shepherd and are hesitant due to your busy work schedule, then do not be deterred. This article is just for you. So, can you work full time and raise a German shepherd?
In short, yes, you can raise a German shepherd successfully even though you work full time. But to do this, you will need to follow a few basic steps. This blog post will show you how to raise a German shepherd successfully; regardless of a full-time work schedule, you should do a few practical things.
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Try to spend time training your dog right from the start.
German shepherds are very social and hyper dogs and need your attention, especially when they are puppies. So, when you get your German shepherd, use any available time to train and play with it to strengthen your bond with it. This will be easy because German shepherds live to please their owners, so whether you leave for work early in the morning or late at night, when you return, your German shepherd will be more than eager to spend time with you, and you should too.
Let them know their limits within or about the house.
German shepherds are super energetic and can’t sit still on their own. They are curious and will go just about anywhere – even inside a washing machine – to feed their curiosity. This behavior is even more enhanced when they are left alone and unsupervised.
So, if you have a 9-5 job that keeps you out of the house, it’s important to set house rules for your dog so they know where they’re allowed to go and where is strictly out of bounds. Doing this will prevent your dog from damaging furniture and other appliances in your absence, making it more controlled and less stressed.
Get someone you trust to take your dog out in your absence.
Walks are very vital in raising any dog, especially a German shepherd. They have so much energy and require an outlet for it to keep them relatively sane.
As you work during the day, it is wise to get someone, be it a neighbor, friend, family, or even a professional dog sitter whom you trust, to take your dog out for walks when you cannot do so. That way, your dog can socialize with other dogs and people, keeping it happy and friendly upon return.
Use your weekends wisely.
After a long and tiring work week, the weekends are our chance to get a breather and recharge for the next work week. What better way than to spend that time with your loyal, friendly, beautiful German shepherd dog?
As mentioned earlier, any free time available from your busy schedule, no matter how little, is more than enough to raise your German shepherd. You can spend your weekends taking your dog on walks to the park, teaching it new tricks, or just chilling and watching a movie together. The bottom line is that you get to spend time with your dog, and both are stress-free.
Get your German shepherd toys to play with in your absence.
This is another fantastic way to keep your German shepherd dog occupied and entertained while busy at work. German shepherds are easy to please, so you don’t have to get too crazy about what type of toys to get them.
A simple chew toy, a ball, or even a teddy bear will suffice, but getting them something they can lash onto just for fun is recommended.
To make it more exciting for them, you could switch up the toys once in a while, so they have a variety to choose from and never get bored. An easy way to do this is to swap out old toys with new ones every week, ensuring they can never find the old ones, and it’s always a happy surprise.
Another way to raise your German shepherd, even with your full-time work schedule, is to take it to work with you (if possible). You can spend time with your dog without being anxious. Take a few toys with you just in case it gets a little carried away and mischievous.
Conclusion.
Raising a German shepherd can be very fulfilling if you’re doing it right. They’re so easy to love and take care of. All you need to do is make out time for them, no matter how little. Whether you work full-time or part-time, the above steps are very practical for you, not to mention essential in raising a German shepherd successfully.
So, don’t be deterred by the hustle and bustle of your daily life, and get a German shepherd to brighten your days and de-stress your nights. They are all-purpose dogs and can be used for a variety of things with ease. They could be security guards, show dogs, house pets, and even therapy dogs! The possibilities are enormous, but one thing is certain, they’ll be a friend for life!
