When it comes to dog training goals, many people think of training as something that has an endpoint — a “finished product.” But this is the wrong way of looking at it. Training is not about checking a box or reaching a finish line. It is a continual process, filled with both setbacks and small […]
Dog Training Goals: Why There’s No “Finished Product” in Training Read More »
IGP Tracking Book by Lars Lentz: A Podcast Episode That Explains It All In this week’s episode of The Total German Shepherd Podcast, we dive into the motivations behind Lars Lentz’s decision to write a book on IGP tracking — and why his voice is so necessary in a landscape already filled with manuals, methodologies,
Lars Lentz is Writing a Book on IGP Tracking Read More »
One of the most common concerns new German Shepherd owners share is: “My dog barks at strangers, hesitates with new people, and doesn’t want everyone to pet them. Is something wrong?” The short answer: No. In fact, this behavior is exactly what the German Shepherd Dog was bred to do. The German Shepherd Temperament According
Why German Shepherds Don’t Always Love Strangers — And Why That’s Normal Read More »
For as long as I can remember, the German Shepherd community has been divided: working-line versus show-line, each side convinced the other has lost its way. The argument is old, predictable, and rarely productive: two camps, two ideals, two different dogs. Max von Stephanitz, the breed’s founder, warned us plainly: “The breeding of shepherd dogs
Bridging the Divide: Crossbreeding Working & Show Lines Read More »
Recently, Ajay shared a few videos of Hemi, our young German Shepherd, trotting effortlessly across the field. His movement was fluid, his topline level, his angulation moderate. In short — a dog built to work. In response, a seasoned breeder named Ed, with 38 years in the breed, wrote: “A correct dog absolutely NO extreme.
Form Follows Function: Why Balance Matters in the German Shepherd Dog Read More »
Dogs don’t guard because they’re trying to “dominate” you — that’s an outdated myth. They guard because they see a person or place as a valuable resource. In the canine world, controlling access to important resources (like food, a prime resting spot, or a beloved human) is a natural instinct, especially if they feel insecure
Why Dogs Guard People or Spaces Read More »
Introduction Summer brings warmth, long hikes, and endless adventures with your dog — but it also brings flea & tick problems, the tiny parasites that can cause big health problems. Many owners today want to avoid harsh chemicals and look for natural, DIY solutions to protect their dogs safely. This guide covers topical home remedies
Ultimate Natural Flea & Tick Defense for Dogs this Summer Read More »
By Abhai Kaul We’ve all seen it — the dog who can’t take his eyes off the ball, completely tuned out to the world, waiting for that magical throw. For many owners, this intense focus feels like a dream: a way to keep their dog engaged, motivated, and, importantly, distracted from unwanted behaviors like barking
Building Ball Drive: Turn Focus Into an Unbreakable Bond Read More »
Ethical Consequences of misapplying the the findings from DM Genetic Testing. Individual Categories Overlapping Categories All Three Categories: (Overlap of Genetic Testing, Bayes’ Theorem, and Ethics) What This Means 1. The biggest concern (18) is ethical, indicating that how we use test results matters as much as the science behind them. 2. Genetic testing (10)
While DNA testing for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a diagnostic tool in partially identifying genetic predisposition, it does not provide a definitive diagnosis. A dog testing “At Risk” (homozygous for the SOD1 mutation) means it carries two copies of the gene associated with DM, but it does not guarantee the dog will ever develop the
Understanding DM Test Results Through Bayes’ Theorem: Addendum – Abhai Kaul. Read More »
