The Ultimate Guide to Your 6 Month Old German Shepherd: From Puppy to Pro - Shepherd Sense (2024)

Of course, you’ve heard that 6 month old German Shepherds and their behaviors are unpredictable, stressful, and frustrating.

Your once-angelic puppy pushes your boundaries and…

Your patience!

But I’ll teach you how to master and survive these puppy growing pains

You’ll learn the fine art of raising a 6 month old German Shepherd like a seasoned pro.

Ready, set, let’s go! ✅

What to Expect Owning a 6-Month-Old German Shepherd?

Owning a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy can be both rewarding and challenging. Expect a lively and energetic companion who is still in the process of growing and learning. Be prepared for ongoing training, socialization, and exercise needs.

Anticipate some puppy behaviors like biting, jumping, and scratching. Keep up with consistent guidance and patience, and you’ll watch your pup develop into a loyal and well-rounded adult dog.

Of course, having the right care system in place for you dog is also essential to keeping their training and behaviors in check.

6-Month-Old German Shepherd Puppy Care Checklist ✅

Caring for a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy involves a well-balanced approach. Ensure they receive a high-quality puppy food, adjust portions to maintain a healthy weight, and establish a consistent feeding schedule. Engage in daily exercise and mental stimulation, focus on obedience training, and provide socialization opportunities. Regular grooming, including brushing and nail trimming, and routine veterinary checkups are also essential for their health.

Lastly, address any behavioral challenges, such as biting, through training and positive reinforcement techniques.

Taking the time with your puppy now to correct any unwanted behaviors and improve your bond together will pay off 10-fold when they grow larger and stronger.

6 Month Old German Shepherd Height and Weight

Your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy has been on quite the growth spurt! 📈

At this stage, your little friend is growing steadily. In terms of size, expect your pup to be well on their way to adulthood, with an average weight of 45-55 pounds (20-25 kg). When we talk about height, your 6-month-old German Shepherd will typically stand around 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall at the shoulder. Each pup is unique, so some may be slightly bigger or smaller, but this gives you a good ballpark figure to work with.

Now, let’s dive into the details:

• Size Expectations: German Shepherds are a large breed, and they grow quickly during the first few months. Expect your pup to continue growing until they’re around 18 months old.
• Feeding for Growth: They’re growing fast! Expect them to reach about 60-70% of their adult size by the end of this month. Brace yourself for those gangly limbs! Make sure you’re feeding your puppy high-quality puppy food to support their development.

When it comes to the size of a German Shepherd at 6-months-old, keep an eye on steady growth. Ensure they’re neither underweight nor overweight, as balanced growth is crucial for joint health.

In terms of height, some variations in height are normal among pups, but it’s vital to monitor for any sudden or extreme deviations that might indicate potential health issues. Weight-wise, maintaining an appropriate weight is crucial for their overall well-being; too much or too little weight can lead to joint problems.

Common 6-Month-Old German Shepherd Puppy Temperament

German Shepherd puppies can experience all types of behavior issues (as you already know!).

While these issues generally do pass with time, they can become a problem if you don’t let your six-month-old puppy know how to act appropriately.

Let’s see the solutions to the most common behavior problems of six month old German Shepherds:

1. Becoming more independent.

At six months of age, your German Shepherd puppy is hitting that milestone of independence. They’re exploring the world with newfound curiosity and developing their own ways of engaging with it.

It’s adorable, no doubt, but remember, they’re not those tiny fluffballs anymore. They can weigh upwards of 50 pounds or more and are already 75% of their adult size.

These pups are powerful even at this young age!

Now, what used to be playful puppy exploration can sometimes turn into an all-out assault on your belongings. Chewing, fixtures torn apart, and furniture demolition may start happening regularly. 😲

Your puppy also desires more freedom to roam indoors and outdoors. This means it’s time to think about a secure leash, collar, or harness for outdoor adventures, and the strategic use of pet-safe baby gates to create designated safe zones indoors.

And just when you thought your pup was fully potty trained, they may start having accidents again. Given the chance to explore freely in your home, they might discover secret spots for toileting indoors.

Solution 1: Increased Exercise and Mental Stimulation

• Channel your puppy’s newfound independence by providing them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
• Longer walks, interactive toys, and puzzle feeders can help tire them out mentally and physically, reducing destructive behavior.

Solution 2: Structured Training and Socialization

• Continue with obedience training and socialization to ensure your puppy is well-behaved.
• Enroll in training classes or work with a professional trainer to reinforce good manners and teach them to redirect their independence towards positive activities.

Solution 3: Revisit Potty Training Basics

• Since your puppy might have accidents while exploring independently, it’s essential to reinforce potty training. Take them outside regularly, especially after meals and playtime, and reward them for doing their business in the designated outdoor area.
• Supervise them closely indoors to catch any signs of needing to go, and if an accident occurs, avoid punishment and instead redirect them to the outdoor spot.

2. Getting bigger and bolder personalities.

Alright, listen up, here’s the deal with German Shepherds at six months of age- these pups are smart as a whip!

But if you don’t show them the right ways to act, they’ll start ruling the roost like a little four-legged dictator. 👿

Now, we definitely don’t want that, do we?

So, it’s time to take charge and give ’em more positive reinforcement training. Once they know the drill, you can also keep them to a daily routine and schedule to help you avoid any furry power struggles.

At this age, she’ll know almost all the basic commands (if you’ve been training her), but she’ll be selective in her response as she develops bolder ideas of his own (MAGSR).

If your previous training hasn’t been up to snuff, it’ll become evident by now.

And here’s the kicker – their biting, jumping, and body barging can become quite a handful.

They might start testing the waters with her newfound independence!

Solution 1: Positive Reinforcement Training

• Use treats and praise to reinforce good behavior.
• Consistency is key; make sure everyone in your household follows the same training rules.

Solution 2: Daily Routine

• Stick to a consistent daily routine for feeding, exercise, and playtime.
• This routine will help your pup understand boundaries and expectations.

Solution 3: Address Biting and Jumping

• When your pup bites or jumps, redirect their attention to a toy or treat.
• Learn how to discipline your puppy for biting the correct way.

Certainly, here’s the table with a different problem for each solution:

3. Developing pushiness with other dogs.

Play becomes rougher as your dog tries to dominate the situation. They will rough house with more force, pushing at other dogs in hormonal play.

Some German Shepherd puppies around 6 months old will challenge other male or female dogs as their hormones peak.

You must be ever watchful to avoid these confrontations that can cause injuries!

Your larger puppy may now rush up to other dogs as they develop more boldness and their hormones fluctuate. A once-shy dog is now a brash go-getter that doesn’t totally understand socially acceptable dog encounters.

But that doesn’t stop your bolder 6-month-old German Shepherd from sticking its face right up to another strange dog!

6 Month Old Male and Female Behavior Changes

Arm yourself: your puppy is heading into the dreaded puppy puberty zone! 🆘

As surging hormones swing over the next year, their behaviors become unpredictable.

Roughly between 6 months and 12 months of age, some German Shepherd puppies develop aggressive reactions to unfamiliar people. This is stronger in the German Shepherd breed than others (research).

With the onset of sexual maturity, male puppies experience more unruly behaviors. Scent marking, even inside your home, roaming, selective deafness to your commands, and general disobedience are all consistent with puppy growing pains.

These raging hormones cause males to become more territorial and to develop higher levels of intolerance for other male dogs. And female pups start to show signs of dominance, as well. Some research suggests that stranger-directed aggression is more likely to develop during this time.

While your GSD continues to develop and grow, their reactivity may increase. If you see any signs of aggression in your German Shepherd pup work through addressing the issue now!

Female German Shepherd Puppies

As their hormones fluctuate as a prequel to sexual maturity, scent marking and aggression, particularly towards other male dogs, shows in a young male Shepherd.

In young females, insecurity, mood swings, and indifference to once enjoyable and known things await owners.

Female puppies during the beginning of heat may become insecure, subdued, or even aggressive to other dogs and their owners.

Focus on your pup’s socialization skills, training with positive reinforcement, and helping them to learn impulse control.

How to Train Your 6-Month-Old German Shepherd To Avoid Bad Puppy Behaviors

Training a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy involves consistent positive reinforcement methods. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Use rewards like treats and praise to encourage desired behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging. Socialization with other dogs and people is essential, and enrolling in puppy training classes can provide structured guidance.

Use these puppy training tips to have less stress with your puppy:

1. Stay on top of their exercise needs.

Begin adding in more exercise and intensity, but don’t run or jog on any hard surfaces until around 18-months to be sure your GSD’s growth plates fuse properly.

Increase exercise slowly to avoid an injury that comes from too much impact on unfused joints and bones. Use these German Shepherd puppy safe and healthy exercise routine ideas which are proven ways to burn your dog’s energy safely.

2. Increase your puppy’s reward-based training.

While your puppy still lacks maturity and focus, you can increase training to help teach your dog obedience skills.

Increase daily obedience and practice to help them learn training basics.

Your beautiful German Shepherd puppy will grow very quickly! Teaching them when they are puppies will pay off for the rest of their life. Simple training should start the moment your puppy arrives home. Using the same word for the same activities will help them learn quickly.

gsdca.org

Stick to an obedience program to help avoid future behavior problems.

Many German Shepherd puppy owners help their dog’s behavior by enrolling them in an online positive dog training course that is scientifically backed and proven to increase the bond with your rebellious puppy. 💡

3. Give them the right chew toys.

As your Shepherd’s strength increases so do their desires to chew things. It’s natural, so don’t get caught off guard!

Look for more indestructible toys to keep your German Shepherd busy and continue to offer chew treats to work their jaws.

Don’t buy just any chew toys, as German Shepherds have one of the most powerful bites.

Find the right chews for you puppy so you minimize the potential for choking and their jaws get a good workout. Your puppy’s adult teeth are still pushing through and this can cause pain, but chewing helps to soothe their gums.

It’s a fact that chewing also helps your puppy to calm themselves.

Use some of these balls for German Shepherd puppies as a distraction toy to get their focus away from your fingers and onto the toy. Giving your puppy a chew toy when they are biting an unapproved item redirects their attention to the right item.

4. Include mental stimulation for their minds.

Your German Shepherd puppy is one of the world’s smartest breeds.

If you’re not including mental stimulation daily then you’re asking for unwanted behaviors from a 6-month-old German Shepherd!

This intelligent dog need more than physical exercise.

Their minds need to learn and become involved in their world in new and interesting ways. There are many ways you can include mental stimulation.

Many of these ways involve teaching a new brain challenge or mental game.

Need to reduce your pup’s boredom and keep them busy?

Here’s an easy guide to boredom-busing games that can increase their metal stimulation. ⏩

5. Keep them supervised.

6-month-old German Shepherds are fluffy balls of mischief!

A GSD pup can find trouble even in the best of situations, so make sure their environment is clear of things that you don’t’ want to be chewed.

If your once potty-trained pup has now forgotten their potty manners, then use pet-safe baby gates to contain them or leash them to you to supervise their actions at all times.

Pet safe gates like these allow your dog to still see you and feel they have watched over their family. Pet gates are a safe option that prevents your dog from getting its head stuck (or worse).

Shutting a German Shepherd behind a closed door increases their anxiety and can make unwanted behavior worse!

Instead, use the baby gate in a safe area to give them less run of your house. It’s better to leash them to you and watch their potty behaviors to avoid any accidents, but when you can’t you can place them in a safe area where they can still feel part of the family. 👪

Set Your Pup Up for Success!

Every day is an opportunity for you to become a more successful leader.

For example:

• If they want to go outside ask them for a sit first.
• If they bring you a ball to throw, ask for a down before you engage in play.

Setting up expectations of accepted behavior helps them learn how to behave more appropriately.

And these successful moments can help speed up how long it takes to train a German Shepherd.

Even tiny successes are great confidence builders for your puppy and for you.

These bursts of training are easier for your pup to understand. Plus, they can help build positive associations for your dog and they’ll learn to love training with you! 💜

6-Month-Old German Shepherd Puppies: Lovable Balls of Fur with Difficult Behaviors

The behavior of a 6-month-old German Shepherd is sometimes unpredictable and difficult to understand.

The most telling sign of your little puppy growing up is unpredictable behaviors.

It’s like having two different GSDs–the precious angel you enjoyed and the rebellious dog temperamental in their actions. 😇

Think Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but in a furry adorable body!

Hormones, rebellion, confusion, and curiosity all add up to puppy puberty.

But with the proper home management techniques and setting expectations, you can overcome these common puppyhood challenges.

Don’t forget…

There’s more free for you. 😃

Free German Shepherd Puppy Training Log and Happy Pup PDF Guide

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With the easy-to-use Training Log, you can track your pup’s progress and stay organized, making training a breeze.

And my short Happy Puppy Guide is packed with helpful tips and tricks to ensure your furry friend grows up to be a happy and well-behaved companion.

Your 6-month-old German Shepherd will thank you for it.

Plus, you’ll become the ultimate puppy parent in no time!

I fetched it for you right here! 😀