Protecting your German Shepherd hips...VERY IMPORTANT!!! Big Don and GSM 

I decided to go back and watch this again… I really miss Big Don, he was my favorite GSM dog! He’s in a good home now, but I just thought he was so cool.

I have a female German shepherd. Her dad was a working line and her mom was a show line German shepherd. My female is just so perfect. She has a well balanced energy level, obedience and loving nature. I think mixing these 2 line together really put out the best of both lines. I hope to fine another one soon.

Big DON, We love all seeing BIG DON 😉

I grew up with a german shepherd, unfortunately he was from a backyard breeder, and he got hip dysplasia at around 10 years old. We loved him and he was a wonderful pet, but I learned from it that when I get my own, I'd likely go to a police dog breeder as I know they've been bred for work, rather than to look good.

Had our 7 week old puppy a week and two days now the forth day he was already using the pads plus setting by front door to whine for potty time , super smart but wants to chew constantly those lil shark teeth are super sharp , live our kota

Hi German Shepherd Man, please do NOT apologize for the length of this video. You make your videos as long or as short as you want. I feel your passion about the German Shepherd breed😉😊 I have heard that you will talk about whatever you are the most passionate about. I believe that is true. I'm passionate about history, dogs, my family, Bible Study Fellowship: those subjects are what I talk about the most. I don't doubt that it seemed like Big Don looked like he just stepped up onto the table. Perhaps he did, and I wouldn't doubt it if he really did. I love Big Don, he is one of my favorites.

Thank God I followed your tips with my boy when he was a puppy. Now he is 3 years old and his hips are doing great, just did a x-ray last month and that's alright! Thank you for your precious advises Charles!

Big Don you're a star! So calm and under control, always a joy to see you.

Great Great GREAT! Advice. People don't know the importance of keeping your puppy from jumping. 👍

A few years ago, I took in a white German shepherd (not well-bred but not because she was white) that had been tied up for her entire life (two years) on a six foot logging chain. She had bad, bad, hips, and because she hadn't been socialized, she was afraid of everything. I met her mother, who had been kept as a normal dog, and she was pleasant nice. But keeping a dog that way can really mess them up physically and mentally. We found her a great home where she is a treasured baby.

Just want to say to all those on the fence- I decided to buy GSM's puppy training system....worth every penny. getting my pup from him this year and feeling PREPARED !! thanks GSM !!!

Ive watch this video 2 times already. 1. To get all the info 2. To watch big don with his tounge out and ears back. Happy

I have always loved BIG DON 😂🥰🙌. So handsome and so loving.

I agree very important information for the health of our fur babies❣️🐾❣️🐾

Loved the video.. we are spot on with Bella who is now 13 months old. She jumps in my jeep truck but never out. I still lift her out and put her on the ground. She has never jumped off anything because I manage her to protect her joints and growth plates.

Big Don, what a sweet heart ♥. Valentine is going from strength to strength! Dandruff is gone, pot belly is gone, all the side effects of steroids are now disappearing as quickly as they appeared! I started giving her non stinky stuff in her food and it's made a huge difference to her skin. Her muscle loss is getting better as well. It's something I'm very passionate about as well, I'm not losing Valentine to her hips or elbows going. It'll be old age, she's got a few years with us yet. Thanks GSM for educating people on what's so important for our fur babies

I like to see how much you love these dogs. You are a great person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I have been following all your instructions and let me tell you, I can see the difference. Toby is only 15 months and he looks amazing. I can see the difference with other German shepherd I had in the past.

big don is my favorite - so beautiful!

I'm sneaking into your compound finding big don and giving him a hug

Great video! Very informative anyone with a puppy needs to watch.

Thanks for making this important! I give my mutt puppy stuff like that, people think I nuts! I appreciate your advocating giving dogs good food and the benefits of feeding it ! Thank you thank you! 👍🐕

GSM, another great video with EXCELLENT information for GSD people. Love it.

Glad to see him back! Can you do some more videos of him

We all want a dog like Big Don. He is so calm and chilled. Beautiful dog. We need more video's off big Don. As usual your knowledge is on point. I have learnt so much from watching your video's. Thank you for sharing.

Great video. Thank you for all the great advice. Bella who is a Sargent/Ruby puppy is 15 months now and your so right. The handler has to protect them. Because they want to do things they shouldn't. Shes doing great.

I love your genuine passion for the dogs wellbeing. ❤️ That is a *true* dog lover in my opinion. No matter what dog breed one is thing of getting, it’s always so, so important to get all the right information, get the facts right, and learn as much as possible about that special breed, as well as learning about dogs in general. The goal after all, should be to get the right dog for *you.* Ask as many questions as possible, no questions are stupid, - after all that is how we learn. -And isn’t that a big part of what life is all about? Learning new skills, learning things about yourself, getting to know new people... those are some of the things that makes life exciting and keep the everyday interesting. 😄 - Phew 😅 getting all philosophical here, - but this is how I genuinely feel about life in general and when I see how passionate you are about the dogs and their wellbeing, it really makes me happy 😃 Thank you for a very informative and interesting video! Lots of love from Norway 🇳🇴😎

This man is on completely on point with this video!

Love that big dude. I’m still persistent with the advise you gave me on Luke’s aggression when he’s eating.... he will stop the aggression but he just wants to eat so fast like head butting the pan...

Big Don is so handsome. I really think this video is very informative. I don’t know my genetics if my GSD but want to protect her hips. I would never want her to have joint problems. I want a healthy GSD. That’s so important. ❤️❤️

Thank you so much! I’ve been concerned about this from hearing from other GSD owners!

Great Video, just about to get a brand new puppy so this is great information! Thank you! Wish I would have known not to have them jump around and I would have definitely done that with my first GSD.

My room is upstairs and my puppy koda 4 months and a half 50 pounds has been getting carried most of the time just recently started going down and up the stairs I’m Glad he’s able to be safe to go up and down the stairs thank you for confirming plus he’s a lean 50 pounds love him to death and thank you so much for this relief of stress and guilt for letting him go down the stairs

Big Don is so majestic looking!!

I grew up with Shepherds and have always loved them, but for whatever reason, I haven't had one since childhood. Well earlier this year, I had a situation just like our last childhood GSD. He walked up to my back porch one Saturday morning, very nearly literally starving to death. Ribs, hips and even spine visibly poking out. Same with the one from my youth. Well, I COULDN'T just ignore him or even call animal control. I took him in, medical care, fed slowly back to healthy weight and welcomed him into the pack... We already had 3 small dogs. Vet said he was just under a year old. His testicals hadn't even dropped yet. 6 months later, he is VERY well adjusted, and had no issues due to abuse or anything. We think he was a covid puppy. Somebody got him as a tiny pup during lock downs and then realized how much work And cost it would be. He's super smart (duh) EXTREMELY loyal and wonderful with the little dogs.... Even helping and protecting our 16 year old teacup chihuahua. Of course, these are all things I expected from a GSD. I would like to do more than basic training as he even responds perfectly to hand signals I've taught him. Would love to train him for basic protection and well as a helper dog for my wife and I, when we need it. I'm active enough to exercise him properly but my wife especially, as well as I occasionally could use some help with things like support if feeling weak, or even opening doors.

Strong work.

Mackkazzlen says, thanks.

Good info! Thank you I have a Great Pyrenees 10 yrs and a wolfhound/lab mix puppy 8mos. The pup walks up and down the stairs as you say.

My six month old looks just like him amazing my gsd name is Astro

Thanks for the informative video german shepherd man! Big Don looks so happy :) love from Australia

We bought a ramp for our pup to get into the SUV it’s going to be great for when he gets neutered and we won’t need to risk lifting him

Very informative video! We recently just got a new female puppy from the same breeder you got Layla from. She is an absolute angel loving every moment with her I had a few questions as well if there's some way we could connect. Thank you so much GSM.

Holy cow! You got old like me! No offense; I'm just part of the silver league as well now. Love this video. Needed it and have not seen this anywhere else. I have eight, one week old GSD puppies right now. Their daddy came from Germany to breed our girl but he climbed a six foot stockade fence to get to our mommy and really injured his shoulder when he did it. Will definitely follow this advice for our sweet, incredible pups! Thank you very, very much!

I'm new to here....I have two three german shepherds.... Big fan of them...

Diamond Naturals Is a great dog food for my sheppard

Love love love big don!! ❤

I think you’re a incredible German shepherd breeder. I do believe nutrition is key but the dog needs to adjust to its body slowly. I do agree. Keep the jumping to a minimum

Wow sir you are what i call expert dog guru

This is such a great reminder. Thank you!!!!

I will never forget how my German Shepherd protected me as a 7 year old 40 years ago I was playing in my father's garden and my father smacked me I started crying and my German shepherd turned on him😀😀😁🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

wish i knew this long time ago. my cairn terrier suffered with back and hip pain late in his life. he was jumping and running early when he was a puppy.

Love all the information!! So important!! ❤️🐶❤️

I love Big Don!!

Brilliant advice an great video too

Thanks a lot for this, new subscriber here. We have 3gsd and this is a great help

Just found your channel & I’ve been going through and binge watching all of your videos. So helpful and very informative. I love my 2 German Shepherds more than anything, so doing everything I can to give them a long, happy, healthy life is crucial. Thanks GSM!! You gained a subscriber from me.

Great channel 💜💖 Thank you very much for this information!

* Fall in Love with the Rear-end before you fall in Love with the Front-end, you will save a Lot of pain & hurt ! We want good Hips ! /. let's get rid of the bad breeders !

Great message, I've always cringed watching people playing Frisbee with their dogs getting them to see how high they can jump.

Thank you so much for telling us. God bless you

Thank you very much i will start buying supplements especially for my gsp pup i always see this joint supplement in the store and used to think was useless wow it’s great to learn

Always glad to see another informative post from GSM thanks. I have a ?. can I run my adult GSD to hard and hurt her hips, should I be concerned about this . Run her at least a few times a week, all out sprints. She loves it but the amount of force generated on her hind quarters has me wondering.

THANK YOU !!! My pup is 6 months old, gorgeous smart black sherperd. But I was stupid and overexercised him between the age of 3 and 4 months, Now I am super anxious about his hips. i am giving him quality food. But I am so scared I might have already damages his body. Any words or advice please ? Thank you for rhe amazing important content.

We have a few different floors in our house and yesterday my 9 week old puppy slipped out his back legs on his side. Trying to keep an eye on him as much as I can but this type of thing needs to also be learned naturally?(I keep him on carpet as much as I can) Should I be concerned that those small falls from feet height can effect him, he's from a healthy east line but is still a bit wonky with his back legs as he's still developing. Transitioning to the high end kibble today and looking at your supplements also because I want my boy healthy as possible for years to come. Thank you and loving your work!!

Thank you for the video!

Great information thank you for sharing 😀 👍

Hey GSM, awesome video! Can you make a video on how to teach the 'ok' command please, it would help me out so much. Thanks!

Great advice thankyou

I was told once that when teaching them to lay down to make sure their hips are on side (leg down to side like how your dogs is lying) vs laying on my both legs where hip is squared as that can cause more stress on hips over time, making it harder to get up and down over time. Not sure how true this is.

I‘m a big fan of millet. Thanks for sharing🍀✳️🍀✳️🍀✳️

Hey GSM, keep up the amazing videos! I recently got a gsd puppy about a week ago. He has a very shy personality and hides every time a person comes by, he doesn’t get aggressive, just afraid. How do I get him out of this fear?

Thanks for sharing have a blessed day in Jesus name

Are GSD's really that fragile? Is it just their hips? I thought they were very durable working dogs, Police, military, helping disabled folks, etc. Are they more fragile than Malinois? This is pretty surprising to me. I am looking for a new family member, four legged. We are pretty active, I don't know if we could coddle a dog like that for a year plus of their life. I guess something to be considered.

Hmm..seems like physics would say the front shoulders would be the issue jumping down from moderate declines..not hips..they land on their front feet first, right?

How does jumping off a porch or of the truck affect the hips? The weight/force goes on the front legs when they land, right?

What about doing a DM genetic test to determine if they are going to have a problem later in life. I was told to get my next dog that is DM free!!!

I give the supplements, vitamins and the salmon oil every morning.

My babysitter has a German shepherd and we found some today and my babysitter's house so we did not know where we found it and plus my dad found it

Great video

Great video! Would you do a video about dental care? Not sure how to to do it for my 10-month German Shepherd! Thanks!!

Very informative! I just subscribed. These videos are so valuable. I'm going to get a puppy from far north Texas here very soon.

Please recommend me a British breakers that breads dogs like the one in the video. I have had a German shepherd many years ago . I had a dog from 8weeks old till almost 14yrs old till I had to have hime put to sleep due to his kidneys failure. I've never had a dogs since due to the pain I've felt from losing that brilliant dog. The dog was from a show line his grandad was worth £11k when I bought him in the early 1980's. Both his parents were show dogs. Those were the days before they messed up the bread with making thier backs too slopey. 😪

i heard back in the day wolf make a elevator to help them go up the mountain.

Big Don is beautiful. He reminds me of my Sherman

What a good boy. Mine is just like that.. as long as I’m scratching his head haha. Even if I have to scratch my nose, he will intercept and nudge his head back underneath my hand. Such a loving breed. How much does Big Don weigh?

I love me some Big Don

My puppy was a stray when we took him in, 2 months, he’s turning 11 in October and barely started having problems, I’m feel selfish for letting him go on with the pain, but I feel like he wants to pull through. I give him short walks literally only down the block and back but I feel like it’s still too much for him, probably because it’s the beginning but he is on some meds, in two weeks we’ll have to decide if we want to put him down or not because that’s when he has another doctors appointment and he said it could be cancer because he had one of his legs with inflammatory. So it’s really difficult..

Boy his head really got very DDR. Wow.

Thanks for this video. Is it ok to throw the ball on a flat concrete floor? She is 7 months old GSD

Thank you for the info! Can you tell us specific tricks that may be good or bad for german shepherd hips? I recently adopted a 1 year old german shepherd and I often wonder if tricks like “sit pretty” or “dance” are bad for his hips. He loves to learn new tricks but he definitely has lean hips and a large chest so I sometimes worry that he’s too top heavy for this kind of thing. Thank you for any info!

Hey brother. Love your videos. Got our GSD puppy on Dec 17th 2020. Hes almost 4 months old. Weighed 43 lbs at the vet yesterday. The vet says he looks great and based off his parents he could be well over 100lbs. You have taught me so many things that I feel like you are my personal trainer that I have used to teach him many many things! My question for you is, we have been giving him Purina Puppy Chow. The breeder had been giving him this. Do you think this is an ok food? Can you recommend a food? Thank you sir.

Big Don is a beautiful boy

😲 my 4 month GSD plays with my 7y.o dog & the puppy will jump on her, and plays like she's a big girl😩 I now need to supervise them when they play.

Hi Mr.Miller, I am writing this again because I don't think the first one went though..I do give the salmon oil and seameal twice daily, was wondering is that too much? When I get the supplements and joint DS tabs, is it wise to give once or twice daily...The reason I'm asking is because I got my 3yr old female german shephard as a gift when she was a puppy...our saying at the vet clinic is nothing is for free...lol... When she was 6 months old I had her spayed and x-rays taken and found out that both hips and both knees are bad. Rotten luck....Is it possible to over do everything like the supplements, oil, joint and seameal? Because I don't want to over do it. Well thank you for all you do and the information that you give, I always look forward to your videos...thank you

How about when to spay your GSD? I've been reading that the longer you wait to spay your dog the better it is for its joints to allow the hormones to do its work for its growth. I have a GSD and I'm trying to get her spayed at the one year mark. She's coming up to 6 months of age.

GSDM loved this video, would request you to cover the topic of degenerative myelopathy if you can....

Hi I have 2months female GSD I would like to learn training my puppy.

As someone who has owned small breeds, but has worked with large breeds, can the supplements you suggested be started when the pup is young? We will be getting ours at 8 week old...purebred German Shepherd 🐶

Hi German Shepherd man, I've been seeing your videos since I have my puppy, he is now 10 months, and HIS HUGE. He is of a very good working line, and I bought him from the best breeder in the country. Do the supplements work even though he is way bigger than the usual?

Thank you for providing such great information. My GSD is 11.5 years old and the vet recently said she has degenerative myelopathy. I do notice her gait getting more and more wobbly, it is very sad. Do you think any of the supplements on your website would help her with this? I understand that there is no cure for this disease and it progresses quickly. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.