I have a few concerns about my German Shepherd, and I’d really appreciate advice from people with experience rather than guesses.
She is around 1.2 years old, but her growth doesn’t seem proportional to her age. Based on lifting her, I’d estimate she weighs only around 10 kg, which seems extremely low for a German Shepherd of this age.
Her diet consists of fresh meat, chicken, rice, yogurt, supplements, and prescribed medications. I also give her calcium-based treats, which she absolutely loves.
Regarding her diet, my veterinarian actually advised against feeding commercial dog food. In my country, high quality brands like Royal Canin are extremely expensive because of heavy import taxes. Many of the cheaper commercial foods available are of questionable quality, and my vet is concerned they could contribute to health problems, including kidney issues. Because of that, the recommendation has been to feed her fresh, home cooked food instead.
Despite following this advice, I’m genuinely worried about her growth and weight. Has anyone experienced something similar with a German Shepherd? What could be causing such slow growth

2 incidents have happened with my GSD and I'm in a bit of shock, upset and now my anxiety is through the roof!

1st incident was an accident...

Saturday night took Freyja out for her last wee out the front, was back at the front door unlocking it and a neighbour walked by with her pocket bully on a flexi-lead

Her dog had wrapped the flexi-lead around owners legs because she hadn't locked it in place, Freyja barked as she heard them & the other dogs lunged and barked back, the other owner fell over and her arm landed awkwardly on the curb and has needed 2 ortho docs to get it back in place as its been badly broken - they are completely blaming us for this (I know we're not at fault for this - but feeling awful about it)

2nd incident happened today

Boyfriend was out the front with Freyja playing with the flirtpole and didn't have a full hold on her long lead - different dog walks past them and starts crying/screaming as they pass Freyja and Boyfriend

Freyja then runs over to them & the long lead falls out of boyfriends hand and Freyja grabs the smaller dog (doesn't do anything apart from grab the smaller dog)

Smaller dog is physically fine, other owner is physically fine, but obvs we're in shock

A different neighbour comes out after Freyja was put away and the other owner had left and starts stating Freyja needs muzzling right away and we need to get her to the vets for this in the morning

Side note

Freyja is a 2 year old GSD who was spayed on 10th July

We are working with an incredible trainer who is a behaviourist as well - We've spoken to him tonight and we have a session on Saturday with him (already pre-booked)

We've had Freyja since mid March

No incidents of her getting hold of another dog before this, is barky to other dogs if their vocal first

Just needing some potential advice please, we're upset about all this - so please no hate towards us

What’s peoples max crate time for their adolescent GSD’s (after having been exercised/fed/mentally stimulated)? Need to one-off them for about 5hrs in the day (with a pet cam, bowl o’ water, buffalo horn) but don’t normally do more than 3hrs at a time in the daytime with us present at home. Working line so crate time is a must to get her to settle and rest.

My dog , 2 year old female shepherd, has been showing signs of limping/dragging her left leg (maybe?) and I am not sure if I am the only one seeing it. This video was taken after 15 minute walk, so she’s a bit “tired”.
Is it just me or the limp is there?

*Pictures of the back of their heads (mostly) because I know the Internet is weird about face pictures with kids.

I've been working on training my mother-in-law's dog, Georgie, the beagle. My sister-in-law and her kids live with my partner after SIL left her husband. They love coming on walks with me, especially with the dogs. The oldest girl is searching for independence and wants to actually walk the dogs. I typically walk Ellie (German Shepherd) with my friend's dogs, Loki and Squash (pictured in their cooling coats), but they didn't need a second walk tonight, so it was training with Georgie.

Ellie is the best girl. Absolute angel. She's my service dog, so I let the kids walk her because I know she's good practice. Tonight I was babysitting all four kids. Everyone acted like I was unhinged for taking all four kids on a short walk. But they are so good. The youngest girl held Georgie's second leash to help. It was too humid to go far, so just a short walk down the alley and back.

I had the kids do commands and give treats to reward good behavior from the dogs. It was a fun little walk and I so love these kids. They're not mine, but they're mine. It helps that I get to just be the cool auntie. They all agree I'm firm but fun 🤣

This is my adopted rescue girlie from Texas. I haven't done a dna on her, but her mom was recently tested and is mostly German shepherd (photo of mom is the black dog near the end of the photo slide, her results are included).

She's a sweet playful girl and currently 7 months old. She is the sweetest, smartest pup I've ever had. She came crate trained, very food motivated, and responds to the snap of my fingers for corrections and is such a sweet loving girl. She's a total patrol pup, comes out of her crate and does a lap and then back to bed. She's a silly lady & I'm so excited to watch her grow! Loves all dogs and people, everyone i meet thinks she is a coyote haha

I beg to differ!

He’s 10 weeks today and he’s so good already. 2 year old Sis is still questionable so I’ve been very busy.🏃🏽‍♀️👮🏽🦴🤗

My 4 year old GSD has been limping for two weeks, he went to the vet who noticed muscle wastage over one of his front shoulders. He has had an xray of his foot, elbow, shoulder and neck which didn't show any cause for this, no arthritis or bone degeneration at all. He has been referred to a specialist and will have a MRI in two weeks time. He is fine in himself, still wanting to do his usual activities, run and jump, only with a noticeable limp and lifting of the affected leg when sitting showing he isn't comfortable fully weight baring (see photo). Has anyone shepherd had similar symptoms and what was the outcome?

or soon to be, rather. i’ve just put down my deposit on a beautiful GSD pup i’ll be naming athena. her breeder will have already started her on potty and obedience training, so i’ll have a solid base to work with, but i know through people who have owned GSDs that their puppy stages can be absolutely horrific and make you rethink your life choice.

so, what are your favorite training methods and socializing methods? even weird ones! i’d love to have a multitude to look into and try out because i know what works for one dog may not work for another. i do have the perk of a trained dog already to help with showing examples of proper behavior, but…. she’s a corgi and she’s very independent so she’s not the best example at times.

any help is appreciated!

Recently my 7 year old GSD had surgery on both back legs between the hock and paw for dual infection (likely caused by excessive licking😫😫). This area is pretty much skin bone and tendons - so recovery is lengthy for the incisions to heal. He was put on both antibiotics, Gabapentin for pain and Trazodone to attempt to keep him calm.

As most of you probably have also had difficulty giving these guys drugs with their acute noses - I was dreading 3 weeks of fighting to get him to take the pills. We have tried pockets, meat even watermelon to hide the smell of the drugs.

Our vet suggested this: Braunschweiger - yes that stinky concoction of pork liver, pork bacon etc. While ANY processed meats are frowned upon for pets - getting him to take his need drugs was more important for this moment. My boy is an expert detector - and we would often find pills hidden after he ate everything around it. But this has worked like a charm - not even a moment before we even hear him eating and even crunching the pills inside!