German Shepherds need plenty of physical activity but they are also highly intelligent dogs who also need mental stimulation to keep them healthy.
As their owners, we want to give them the best quality of life so that means we need to know how to entertain a German Shepherd.
If you have ever taken your dog for a walk just to find that they are just as energetic when you get back then it means the walk wasn’t mentally stimulating enough for them. They may be bored with the route or it may not have delivered enough sights, sounds and smells to get their senses working.
As you will probably know German Shepherds were originally bred to be working dogs to herd sheep in Germany. To carry out this role they needed to understand commands quickly and have their wits about them as well as be strong and athletic.
An issue many owners of intelligent dogs such as the German Shepherd find today is that these types of dogs also need to exercise their minds as well as their bodies.
As working dogs, their minds would constantly be stimulated by the rural environment they were working in. Their senses would be put to work from being on high alert for predators, looking for lost sheep and listening to the commands of their Shepherd on a daily basis as well as physically running around in the fields all day herding up the flocks.
If you are just providing physical exercise by walking them round the block then you are simply building your dog’s physical stamina. This alone won’t tire them out unfortunately all that will happen is they will be able to walk for even longer.
Get The Balance Right
In order to tire them out enough to settle down and relax at the end of each day you need to get them to use their brains too. If you get the balance of physical and mental exercise right you will have mastered how to entertain a German Shepherd and got yourself a healthy, happy, well-behaved dog.
So What Are A German Shepherd’s Exercise Requirements
All German Shepherds need exercise, but some may need more than others depending on their age and health.
Puppies
Puppies under 6 months old should have 3 short walks a day totalling no more than 30 minutes until they are used to walking. Once your pup is used to walking you can start to increase the time and distance gradually. Just be aware that puppies’ attention spans are very short and they tire very easily too.
Their mental stimulation needs can be met with some very simple and short training sessions lasting just a few minutes at a time, for example teaching them the basic commands to sit, stay, lie down etc. Mix this up with some socialization sessions, a few games and chew toys throughout the week and this should be sufficient to keep your bundle of fluff sufficiently entertained.
Adult German Shepherds
A healthy adult German Shepherd should be walked for at least 45 minutes twice a day, more if possible. In addition to this, they will need at least another 30 to 40 minutes of mental stimulation activities throughout the day.
Although making sure their walks are interesting and varied will help to keep your dog’s mind stimulated adding some extra activities such as short training sessions, games and puzzle toys will ensure your dog’s exercise needs are met. If you find your dog is still not tired then increase the exercise times a little bit and mix up the activities to keep them interested.
Older German Shepherds
Older German Shepherds may not be able to walk for as long as the younger ones, but they still need some form of exercise every day. A good way to provide this is by taking them for shorter walks more often or playing fetch in the garden. Playing mind-stimulating games that don’t involve much physical strength such as hide and seek or puzzles are also great activities you can do with an older dog who is less mobile.
What Can You Do To Keep Your German Shepherd Entertained?
The best ways to keep a German Shepherd entertained are those that use your dog’s natural instincts. Long walks that provide plenty of new things for them to sniff and interactive games such as tug of war, fetch, and hide and seek are all great options that will not only provide your dog with some much-needed exercise but will also help keep their minds active.
Take them on long walks or runs
This is by far one of the best ways to keep your German Shepherd entertained. Exploring the great outdoors is what these fantastic dogs thrive on. Try mixing up where you take them on a daily basis in order to give them the chance to engage in new smells whilst burning off some of that energy.
They love to sniff and investigate new places. This type of activity not only gives their bodies some much-needed exercise it stimulates their minds as they experience new sights and sounds. Their natural tracking senses also come into play as they take in all of the exciting and different scents they pick up.
If you live in an area with hiking trails, that’s even better. Your German Shepherd will love the opportunity to sniff around and explore nature. Just be sure to keep them on a leash and under control at all times.
This is especially so if you are using public footpaths that cross private land or you are walking near any livestock. Also, remember to take some water with you and take breaks often to rest in the shade.
Play fetch with them.
Another great way to keep your German Shepherd entertained is to play fetch with them. They love chasing after balls or Frisbees and will be happy to bring them back to you again and again.
Kong toys are great for this as they tend to have an unpredictable bounce. This means your dog will have to focus really hard and keep a keen eye on the toy if they want to stand a chance of catching it.
This type of activity is great if you are not that physically fit yourself too as it’s your dog that will be doing most of the running around. It’s also great for providing them with some of that much-needed brain stimulation as they will have to stay focused in order to catch or fetch the object.
Just be sure to have a good grip on the ball or Frisbee so they don’t accidentally chomp down on your fingers!
Set up an agility course for them to run through
German Shepherd dogs are really good at agility so if you have the space, setting up an agility course for your German Shepherd to run through is a great way to keep them entertained.
They’ll love jumping through hoops and climbing over obstacles.
You can buy simple agility sets online from places like Amazon quite cheaply but it’s also possible to create a simple course in your backyard just using items around the house you already have.
If you don’t have the space you can take them to a local park or sign up for classes at a local dog training centre.
Teach them tricks and obedience commands
German Shepherds love to learn new things. Teaching them tricks and obedience commands is a great way to keep their minds active. You can start with simple commands like sit, stay, down, and come. Once they have mastered those, you can move on to more complex tricks like playing dead or rolling over.
If you’re not sure how to get started, there are plenty of resources available online or you can sign up for classes at a local dog training centre.
Have regular play sessions with them
Make sure to have regular play sessions with your German Shepherd to keep them entertained. They are extremely loyal dogs and there is nothing your German Shepherd will love more than being able to play games with you and the family.
This is also a great opportunity for you to bond with your dog. Dogs that have a really good bond with their owners tend to be most obedient too.
There are plenty of ways to play with your German Shepherd that will be enjoyable for you both. You can play fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek.
Just let your imagination run wild and have fun!
German Shepherds love to socialize with other dogs, so taking them to the dog park is a great way to keep them happy and entertained. This is also a great opportunity for you to meet other dog owners in your area.
Just be sure to keep an eye on your dog at all times and make sure they’re playing nicely with the other dogs. If meeting for the first time it is always advisable to keep all dogs leashed.
Sign them up for dog sports or activities
German Shepherds are natural athletes, so signing them up for dog sports or activities is a great way to keep them busy. There are plenty of options available, from dock diving to flyball. Just find an activity that you think your German Shepherd would enjoy and sign them up!
Get them a doggy companion to play with
If you’re not able to be home with your German Shepherd all the time, getting them a doggy companion to play with is a great way to keep them company and each other busy.
Just make sure to introduce the dogs slowly and supervise them at all times to make sure they get along well.
Foster their natural herding instincts by letting them help you around the house or yard.
German Shepherds love to be helpful, so foster their natural herding instincts by letting them help you around the house or yard. You can have them help you with simple tasks like shutting doors after you, carrying groceries or laundry.
Put Their Noses To Work – Treasure Hunts
German Shepherd Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and you can use this to provide mental stimulation for them. They love to use their noses to find things so a treasure hunt is a perfect way to keep them entertained. Hide some of their favourite toys around the house or garden and let them find them.
I play this game with my German Shepherds a lot as they love to rummage around trying to find the toys I have hidden. I named all of their toys which they have learned to understand so I just ask them to go and find whichever toy I have hidden.
You can really see the concentration on their faces as they set about their hunt. Those keen noses don’t take long to find the target though especially when I have a pair of them on the job working as a team.
Encourage their natural curiosity with puzzle toys or feeders
German Shepherds are naturally curious, so encourage their curiosity with puzzle toys or feeders. Puzzle toys will challenge their minds and keep them entertained for hours. They usually involve your dog finding a way to get to a treat that is hidden inside.
There are a number of different puzzles designed specifically for dogs that are great for mental stimulation. And feeders will give them a chance to use their noses to figure out how to get the food out. Just make sure to choose puzzles and feeders that are appropriate for your dog’s age and skill level.
Give them plenty of chew toys to keep them occupied
German Shepherds love to chew and they can keep themselves entertained for quite a while with a good chew toy. Chew toys also keep their teeth healthy and can be a great way to redirect chewing habits if they start to chew on things they are not supposed to.
So it’s important to give them plenty of toys of this nature to supplement their daily exercise routine. From Kongs filled with treats to rawhide bones, there are plenty of options out there. Just be sure to choose toys that are made of durable materials and are the appropriate size for your dog. Also, you must supervise your dog while they’re chewing to make sure they don’t choke on anything.
Be creative and have some fun with your furry friend!
Top Tips On How To Keep A German Shepherd Entertained
Tip #1 – Create a schedule
German Shepherd dogs love routine. If you develop a routine they will learn it in a very short space of time. This is good as your dog will come to expect to go out at a certain time of day rather than nagging you all day long.
A good entertainment routine will include a good mix of different things. Remember a German Shepherd needs physical exercise, mental exercise and periods of quiet rest too.
By making a schedule you can plan ahead to ensure that your dog is getting a good variety of exercise which you know is going to fit in with your lifestyle. Just make sure to mix up the activities and places that you go to regularly over the week. German Shepherd Dogs can easily become bored of the same places and smells so the more variety you can incorporate over the week the better.
Tip #2 – Don’t leave them on their own for long periods of time
If you commit to owning a German Shepherd you have got to commit to doing what’s best for their health and wellbeing. Whilst they are happy resting at home for some of their day they are social dogs and will soon become bored and lonely.
A bored German Shepherd Dog can also be very vocal and destructive. They will make their own entertainment so if you want to avoid holes in your yard, a chewed sofa or complaints from your neighbours about the barking then you need to make sure you have a good entertainment routine up and running and you stick to the schedule.
Tip #3 – Keep them mentally and physically challenged with new experiences
Another word of advice on boredom. German Shepherd dogs can also become bored if given the same things to do each day.
One way to avoid this is to mix up the activities and exposing them to new experiences is always good for socialization skills too. This can be anything from going on a hike to visiting a new dog park. Just make sure to start slowly and increase the difficulty level as your dog gets more comfortable.
Tip #4 – Make sure they have a comfortable place to rest and relax
After a long day of playing and exploring, your German Shepherd will need a comfortable place to rest and relax. This can be anything from a dog bed to a blanket in your living room. Just make sure their resting spot is in a quiet area where they won’t be disturbed.
Tip #5 – Give them lots of love and attention!
German Shepherds are social animals that need plenty of love and attention. So make sure to spend time with them every day, playing games, going for walks, and just cuddling on the couch. They’ll love spending time with you and it will help strengthen your bond.
Final Thoughts
I hope I have given you some great ideas here to help you keep your German Shepherd entertained. One of the things I love most about German Shepherd Dogs is their intelligence and versatility. They are quick to learn and they can do just about anything. You just have to look at the jobs they do around the world today to see them in action.
All you need is a little bit of imagination. Think about what German Shepherds naturally want to do. They like to use their noses to track things, they love to chase and catch things, they love being with you and other dogs you get the idea. Then come up with some exciting things to do that incorporate those natural traits.
Because you are responding to their natural instincts and needs you will find they want to do it, enjoy it and are good at it too!
Just remember to be creative and have fun! Your dog will love spending time with you no matter what you’re doing.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post if you would like to share any activities you do with your German Shepherd Dog please feel free to do so in the comments below.
