Welcome to the forum, MyDogBitz! Great to have you here. An 8 month old shepherd is right in that teenage stage with lots of energy, lots of personality, and plenty of laughs. Bomber is a great name. I don’t think your photo came through on the post though. If you get a chance, try uploading it...

One of the most important things you can do for your German Shepherd puppy is proper socialization. A well-socialized shepherd grows up confident, stable, and a joy to live with. Skip it, and you risk reactivity, fear, or behavioral issues later. Here’s a simple roadmap: When to start...

You don’t need a club to start. Scent work can be as simple as hiding kibble around the house, and beginner agility is just safe obstacles like boxes or benches. Clubs are great later, but you can have plenty of fun at home.

The five-minute rule is just for structured leash walks. Free play in the yard or zoomies don’t count the same way since pups will naturally take breaks when they need to.

Glad that clicked for you, Kaia. Confidence building is one of those things that looks like play to us, but to a pup it’s a big deal. Walking across a wobbly board, stepping onto metal grates, or climbing over a small log might not seem like training, but it builds resilience that carries over...

One of the first questions new owners ask is: “How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?” It’s a great question and an important one, because not meeting a shepherd’s exercise needs is one of the top reasons people struggle with behavior problems. Here’s a breakdown based on age and type...

Great question, Kaia. Honestly, the best approach with a young shepherd is to think of training as life skills rather than strict obedience drills. At 8 weeks, their brains are like sponges, so it’s less about “perfect sits” and more about building positive habits. For me, the priorities were...

That’s the best part of shepherds, they’ll keep you laughing with their quirks as much as they impress you with their brains. Can’t wait to hear what funny habits your future pup comes up with.

Will do. Thanks for the warm welcome

One of my favorite things about shepherds is how much personality they pack into that big frame. Sure, they’re serious working dogs when it’s time to be, but in the in-between moments? Absolute goofballs. For example, my guy has this habit of trying to help me with chores. If I’m carrying...

Great question, Kaia and welcome again. Don’t worry, everyone feels a bit overwhelmed at first. Picking the right breeder is one of the biggest steps you’ll take, and the fact that you’re asking these questions tells me you’re already on the right track. A few things I always look for in a...

Thanks for the welcome! Don’t worry about being new, we’ve all started somewhere. Honestly, the learning never really stops with shepherds, they’re always throwing something new at you. Excited to hear about your journey as you dive in. Feel free to ask anything, that’s what we’re all here for.

Haha, classic shepherd move. They always act like the first few thousand steps are just a warm-up lap. Mine has this look halfway through like, “Okay, now we’re finally getting somewhere.” Meanwhile, I’m the one plotting the quickest route back to the coffee pot. Truth is, we don’t own them, we...

Hey Kaia, welcome aboard! Great to have you here. The puppy prep stage is exciting, and trust me, you’re not overdoing it. With shepherd pups, being prepared saves a lot of headaches later. At 8 weeks, here’s what I’ve had good luck with: Kongs – Go for the puppy version since the rubber is...

Last summer, I took my shepherd, Koda, out to a quiet lake I like to visit when I need to reset. It was one of those hot afternoons where the water looks like glass, and I figured it’d be a perfect chance to let him swim and work off some steam. Now, Koda loves water… but in his mind, if I so...

Hey pack, If there’s one thing every German Shepherd owner learns quickly, it’s that a tired shepherd is a happy shepherd. These dogs are built to work... whether it’s herding, tracking, or just inventing their own “job” around the house. For me, one of the most effective ways to burn off my...

Hey pack, One of the things I love most about life is how many different journeys we all take with our shepherds. Some of us are in the thick of raising pups, others are years into competing, and some are just enjoying life with a loyal companion by our side. When I look back at my own...

Happy to be here, thanks for the invite and for the OG role.

Hey pack, I’m Malakai a longtime German Shepherd devotee, handler, and all-around working-dog nerd. I’ve been living and breathing shepherd life for years, from the boundless energy of wild little pups to the steady presence of seasoned adults who’ve seen and done it all. What hooked me on...