What is an ear mite? Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms, similar to ticks, that infect the ear canals of dogs and cats. They are so small that to the naked eye, the look like a little white dot. Ear mites feed on the epidermal debris and ear wax. After burrowing into the ear canal, they cause inflammation which leads to the body creating more wax. Ear mites are usually transmitted through physical contact. This means that they are very contagious, so it is important for all of your pets to be treated at the same time. Ear mites are extremely painful and irritating because of the nonstop itching they cause your guard dog. As a result, the first symptom you will see is your dog constantly scratching, itching and shaking their head. A dark, waxy discharge can also be seen in your guard dogs ears after awhile, caused from the ear mites. The amount of symptoms you see will also depend on the severity of the infestation. With more advanced infestations, the ear canals will begin to appear on the outside of your dog’s ear canal.
Ear mites are very common in German Shepherds, but should be taken very seriously anyway. If they are left untreated, it could cause severe damage to the ear canal and possibly even hearing loss. If you see any kinds of signs that your dog could have ear mites, take them to the vet right away. It is always better to be safe, rather than sorry. When your dog is diagnosed, a cotton swab is used to sample the dog’s ear wax. The vet will look for both mites and mite eggs, under a microscope. For treatment it is important to carefully clean out the dogs ears very gently, this goes a long way in trying to fix the problem. Dog ears are very sensitive, so any type of harsh movements could damage the ear drum. Next, a topical medication is applied to the ear. The medication contains anti-inflammatories to soothe the ear, anti-bacterial to minimize any other infection and an anti-paracidicital to kill the mites. This process of cleaning the ears and applying the medicine is usually continued for 7-10 days. The best way to prevent ear mites from every infecting your dog is to keep your guard dog away from any animal that could possible be infected. Most importantly just keep your eyes open for any strange behavior that your dog displays, and be ready to take them the the vet immediately.
Please remember that whether you have German Shepherd guard dog or any other breed of companion dog and they get a case of ear mites it’s nothing to panic about just be sure to make an appointment as soon as you can to prevent any damage to the ear canal.
If you are the type of owner who is committed to doing everything they can to ensure that their guard dog is completely healthy, it is very important to learn about worm control. Worms, which are also known as parasites can be very detrimental to your dog and can cause many different health problems. There are many different types of worms such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms. Roundworms are the most common type found in dogs, they affect the intestines and cause a pot-belly. Hookworms and whipworms, hook to the inside of the intestine and sucks blood from the dog, causing anemia and possibly death. Tapeworms also infect the intestines and can cause abdominal pain, nervousness, sever itching, vomiting, and weight loss. There are many different causes of dog worms, these are good to know to help prevent the worms in anyway you can. One way is through infected soil, that your dog comes in contact with. The worm eggs often live in this type of environment and can easily stick to human hands, clothing, or the dog itself. A way to prevent this if by having yourself and your family wash their hands each time before coming in from outside. Worms can be transmitted to puppies from their mothers uterus, while milking.
It is important the symptoms of dog worms, so that you know can detect the worms early enough to treat them. Symptoms will vary between each dog, so it is always a good thing to seek help from a veterinarian who knows how to properly take care of worms. Acting quickly is very important when it comes to worms because they will start to take a toll on your guard dog’s immune system, and possibly lead to more health problems. Some worms can be seen visually if a piece of the worm breaks off and you could find it (possibly still moving) around the dog’s anus, its bed, or in its feces. However, many worms are not visible, so it is extremely important to take your guard dog to a regular check up and have the vet test its feces. Over the counter prescriptions are effective but not on all types of worms, other will have to be treated with a dewormer that is given as a oral medicine or injected by the vet. Some basic guidelines for worm prevention are: flea control, keeping your dog from eating feces, avoiding exposure to stray animals, and cleaning its bed or crate with a saltwater solution. Worms are an extremely serious matter and it is important to know what you’re up against to protect your guard dog.
So you have finally made the decision to bring home a new addition to your family? Before bringing home your first German Shepherd puppy there are many things that you need to think about and plan for. Getting a dog can be such a rewarding experience but it is important to realize that it also comes with years of responsibility. Make sure that you are ready for years of daily care, exercise, vet visits and the ability to give unconditional love to this animal.
Bringing home a new puppy can be both an exciting and new situation, remember that a lot is going to change. It is important to make sure that everyone in your family is completely comfortable with the idea of bringing in a new puppy to your home. Create rules for yourself and your family on how to care for your German Shepherd puppy. Also you will need to prepare your house and yard so that they are set up as a safe environment. Gradually begin purchasing supplies that you will need for your puppy, such as food, and a crate prior to the day you plan on bringing it home. Be sure to find a crate that is suitable for your puppy’s growth as it will spend a lot of time in the crate during the crate training process. It is always good to have everything set up before the arrival of your puppy, to ensure that it has what it needs. Please remember that this puppy will be leaving its mother and everyday environment and entering into a strange one, which could make it very stressful for them. The more prepared you are and the more structured of a transition you create, will make it that much easier for your German Shepherd puppy to adapt to its new home.
Understandably, the desire to mate is strong among most intact canines. It is an act in which potential sires and dams are usually more than eager to participate in. However, rare circumstances sometimes lead to situations in which natural mating cannot occur. The possible reasons for this are numerous, and vary from aggression between the intended sire and dam, to trying to preserve a strong bloodline from a sire who is too old to continue mating naturally. The solution in such situations is artificial insemination.
Artificial insemination is performed frequently with livestock, often because cattle are too large to mate naturally without risk of injury. However, it is usually left as a last resort among canines. The process involves three main steps: collection and preservation of semen, preparation of the female, and the actual act of insemination.
For collection, a female in heat is often used as a “teaser”, but once the female is mounted, care must be taken to ensure that the intended sire is, for lack of a better term, redirected into the appropriate collection device. Once the semen has been collected, it may be used immediately, chilled for up to 24 hours, or frozen for prolonged storage. It should be noted, however, that while chilling and freezing will help to preserve the semen, the chances of successful fertilization will still degrade over time.
For fertilization to occur, the female must be inseminated at the right time. Typically, attempts at insemination are performed approximately four days before ovulation, and continued every second day until two days after ovulation. Of course, determining the exact date of ovulation can be difficult. Blood tests can determine the date of ovulation by measuring the level of progesterone in the female. However, this method is often expensive and impractical. A far less accurate, but much more cost-effective method is to simply keep track of the female’s cycles to predict when she will next be in heat.
Finally the act of insemination is performed using a specially designed pipette. The male should not be present during this process. The female is held in an upright position, and the semen is deposited at the cervix.
Whether you are breeding German Shepherd puppies, Belgian Malinois puppies or Dutch Shepherd puppies, you should remember that artificial insemination should only be used as a last resort. The natural mating process offers much greater rates of success, and is always the preferred option of artificial insemination
The term “whelping” is used to describe the final stages of canine pregnancy and the birthing of litters. As is true for pregnancy in any mammal, a pregnant canine will require care and attention to unsure that the whelping goes smoothly and that the pups are born without difficulty or complication. Unfortunately, some complications are impossible to avoid, but knowing what to expect and when to expect it will help you prepare for the best possible whelping scenario.
Canine pregnancy typically lasts about three months from the date of conception. This varies from breed to breed, but is generally true of most medium-sized dogs, such as the German Shepherd. Mark the expected date of birth on your calendar. The litter may not necessarily be born on this exact date, but it should serve as a good reference for when to start preparing for whelping. One to two weeks before the litter is expected, your dog should be noticeably pregnant, with an enlarged abdomen. You should being taking your dog’s temperature regularly during this time, as changes in body temperature will mark the first signs of labor.
Labor typically begins between 24 and 48 hours before birth. The first stages may not be immediately noticeable, but the temperature of your dog will begin to drop from its regular temperature of about 99-101°F. As her temperature drops, she will begin to pant heavily. She may vomit, or begin shaking, and will likely need to urinate frequently. Her temperature should bottom out at about 98°F, at which point she will begin giving birth within 2-12 hours, depending on whether or not it is her first litter. At this point, your dog will be in her second stage of labor, and will be visibly straining with contractions. Newborn German Shepherd puppies will not be far behind, so be sure not to leave her side during this period.
Of course, having your veterinarian on speed-dial is a necessity during whelping. Complications in whelping can risk the life of the pups as well as the bitch. Be prepared to transport your dog to a veterinary hospital if the need arises. Hopefully, all will go well, and your female German Shepherd will have successfully whelped a healthy litter of German Shepherd puppies.
The decision to have a female dog spayed is one that is often made under the assumption that caring for a dog in heat is too much work. For those who’ve decided to keep their female German Shepherd intact, knowledge and preparation are all it takes to keep things under control without it being hassle, and for those who’ve decided to take on the task of breeding, knowing your dog’s cycle becomes key to success.
The first step is being able to predict when your dog is going to be in season. Unlike some animals who enter mating season at specific times of the year, female dogs can be in heat at any time during the year. However, this does not mean that your dog is ready to mate for the entire year. In dogs, mating follows a regular cycle. It varies between breeds, and between individual dogs, but the majority of female German Shepherds will be in season approximately once every six months. Take note of the end of your dog’s last cycle, and you can predict that it will happen again another six months from that time.
You will know that your dog is in season because she will begin menstruating. Bleeding typically lasts about a week, and is followed by about three weeks during which your dog is fertile. Unless you plan on breeding, it is very important that you keep your dog separated from male dogs during this time. Nearing the end of this time, your dog may require more attention and petting than usual.
Whether you’re planning for German Shepherd puppies, or have kept your female German Shepherd intact for other reasons, knowing your dog’s cycle and knowing what to do when your dog is in season are extremely important.
Humans have been leaving their mark on animals for thousands of years. While cattle and livestock have been branded since the times of ancient Egyptians, working dogs have typically been identified by collars. Unfortunately, collars can come off, but there are several identification methods available to us today that serve the purpose of being permanent as well being safe and humane. The purpose of having a permanent identification method for working dogs is important in a legal sense, and especially important for registration purposes.
The two most popular identification methods today are the use of small tattoos, and the implantation of a microchip from which information can be digitally read. While the microchip is certainly the high-tech option, it loses the benefit of making the dog immediately identifiable, and requires possession of a special microchip reader. In the United States, microchips and tattoos are encouraged, but no permanent form of identification is enforced. However, several other countries, including Canada, have made the use of identification tattoos mandatory for canine registration.
Identification tattoos should be given when the puppies are at about six weeks of age. It is important that the tattoo is administered properly, and placed appropriately. The skin will stretch and distort the numbers as the dog ages, making them unreadable if done improperly. Of course, the numbers to be tattooed should be the litter registration number, and the registration number of the individual puppy. Cleanliness is the first priority in order to avoid infection. Properly sterilized tools should be used, and the area should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol before-hand. The puppy should be on its back, and held down by an assistant to keep the legs from moving. Tattoos are typically placed on the inside of the upper-thigh where there is less fur to obstruct the tattoo. Make the numbers small and dark to help the withstand the effects of stretching and distortion over time. Tattoos can also be placed on the inside of the ear, although this is becoming less common.
The process is not entirely painless, but having a guaranteed proof of ownership in the event that someone attempts to steal your German Shepherd puppies or Belgian Malinois puppies is well worth the mild discomfort of having them tattooed. If, at any point, you are unsure about the tattooing process, you should not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for further advice.
The Belgian Malinois puppies from Cindy and Ducko are now six months old.
The three males that we held back for fetcher protection dogs, Brutus, Nero and Caesar, are doing well in their training. They are now at a point in their training where they are doing aquatic training, climbing a ladder at a 45 degree angle, man scent tracking, finding an article, and being deployed off lead at 80 yards to take a bite on a K.N.P.V. bite suit.
Not a day goes by that we don’t do some form of training with them, whether it is agility training, man scent tracking, obedience, bite work, or simply just taking them out for a long walk in a downtown environment. The work that we do at Command Control K9 is very special. It is as important to us as it is to our clients that when we deliver a personal protection dog, it is well rounded and will fit right into your home.
The work that we do at CCK9 is unique and very special. As a rule, we usually do not release videos showing training. However, in this case we have made an exception. Our most recent litter of Belgian Malinois puppies are everything we were expecting and more. They are the product of breeding Cindy and Ducko, both Level III personal protection dogs. The above video shows Brutus taking a bite and holding onto a bite suit. He is only 5 weeks old. The other pups from this litter are also highly intelligent and are learning at the same level. As we have said before, genetics are a major factor in producing top notch, highly intelligent protection dogs. We took into account the genetics of both of the parents and grandparents in planning this litter. All will be suitable to train for our Level III program.
All dogs are smart, but certain breeds are consistently at the head of the class. And German Shepherd puppies are one of them. PetMD recently released their list of the 10 Smartest Dogs, and to no surprise, the German Shepherd was number three on the list. The two breeds smarter than the German Shepherd were the Standard Poodle and Border Collie.
German Shepherds were ranked high for their intelligence, courage and dependability. They noted that German Shepherd dogs are easily trained and will obey commands the first time they are given. German Shepherds were originally bred to be intelligent, athletic herding animals, so they made the transition to guard dogs, police dogs and protection dogs quite easily. In fact, German Shepherd protection dogs are now used in countries and cultures around the globe.
What is an ear mite? Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms, similar to ticks, that infect the ear canals of dogs and cats. They are so small that to the naked eye, the look like a little white dot. Ear mites feed on the epidermal debris and ear wax. After burrowing into the ear canal, they cause inflammation which leads to the body creating more wax. Ear mites are usually transmitted through physical contact. This means that they are very contagious, so it is important for all of your pets to be treated at the same time. Ear mites are extremely painful and irritating because of the nonstop itching they cause your guard dog. As a result, the first symptom you will see is your dog constantly scratching, itching and shaking their head. A dark, waxy discharge can also be seen in your guard dogs ears after awhile, caused from the ear mites. The amount of symptoms you see will also depend on the severity of the infestation. With more advanced infestations, the ear canals will begin to appear on the outside of your dog’s ear canal.
If you are the type of owner who is committed to doing everything they can to ensure that their guard dog is completely healthy, it is very important to learn about worm control. Worms, which are also known as parasites can be very detrimental to your dog and can cause many different health problems. There are many different types of worms such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms. Roundworms are the most common type found in dogs, they affect the intestines and cause a pot-belly. Hookworms and whipworms, hook to the inside of the intestine and sucks blood from the dog, causing anemia and possibly death. Tapeworms also infect the intestines and can cause abdominal pain, nervousness, sever itching, vomiting, and weight loss. There are many different causes of dog worms, these are good to know to help prevent the worms in anyway you can. One way is through infected soil, that your dog comes in contact with. The worm eggs often live in this type of environment and can easily stick to human hands, clothing, or the dog itself. A way to prevent this if by having yourself and your family wash their hands each time before coming in from outside. Worms can be transmitted to 
So you have finally made the decision to bring home a new addition to your family? Before bringing home your first German Shepherd puppy there are many things that you need to think about and plan for. Getting a dog can be such a rewarding experience but it is important to realize that it also comes with years of responsibility. Make sure that you are ready for years of daily care, exercise, vet visits and the ability to give unconditional love to this animal.
Understandably, the desire to mate is strong among most intact canines. It is an act in which potential sires and dams are usually more than eager to participate in. However, rare circumstances sometimes lead to situations in which natural mating cannot occur. The possible reasons for this are numerous, and vary from aggression between the intended sire and dam, to trying to preserve a strong bloodline from a sire who is too old to continue mating naturally. The solution in such situations is artificial 
The term “whelping” is used to describe the final stages of canine pregnancy and the birthing of litters. As is true for pregnancy in any mammal, a pregnant canine will require care and attention to unsure that the whelping goes smoothly and that the pups are born without difficulty or complication. Unfortunately, some complications are impossible to avoid, but knowing what to expect and when to expect it will help you prepare for the best possible whelping scenario.
The decision to have a female dog spayed is one that is often made under the assumption that caring for a dog in heat is too much work. For those who’ve decided to keep their female German Shepherd intact, knowledge and preparation are all it takes to keep things under control without it being hassle, and for those who’ve decided to take on the task of breeding, knowing your dog’s cycle becomes key to success.
Humans have been leaving their mark on animals for thousands of years. While cattle and livestock have been branded since the times of ancient Egyptians, working dogs have typically been identified by collars. Unfortunately, collars can come off, but there are several identification methods available to us today that serve the purpose of being permanent as well being safe and humane. The purpose of having a permanent identification method for working dogs is important in a legal sense, and especially important for registration purposes.
The Belgian Malinois puppies from Cindy and Ducko are now six months old.