The social German Shepherd Dog.

The family friendly German Shepherd dog LOVES attention.  They actually thrive on attention from their human family.  The GSD will grieve when ignored and will even quit eating and can develop some serious behavior problems if not included in sufficient quality time with his or her 'people.' 

The GSD becomes part of the human family. The dog doesn't understand family in the ways or sense that we understand human family relationships.  The GSD assumes that the human family is ordered and functions as a dog's pack would.  The dog never ceases to be a dog, no matter how much training they've been through.  A human often will have trouble with their dog if they do not understand at least a little bit about the 'law of the pack.'  There is a certain order in a dog's pack and they understand it and expect you to understand it too.  One of the responsibilities of the pack leader is to provide food for the pack.  Since you are the one feeding the dog (I assume that you don't expect it to go running through the neighborhood finding something to kill and eat!) the dog assumes that you are the pack leader. Another thing that the pack leader must do is to provide a safe environment for the pack and also to maintain the social order within the pack. . .  mediate doggy disputes.  So your dog looks to you for order in the family environment and the sense of security is  greatly enhanced as you play with, talk to, groom, and socialize with your dog.

When the dog know's that you are happy with him or her, all (or at least mostly all) is well in the doggy's world! . . .  So keep your doggy feeling safe and content . . . give him or her lots of hugs today and remember to whisper 'sweet nothings' in those big GSD ears.

Until next time . . .   Eliot      follow Mia's stories on Twitter:  @MiaRosehall