A candid conversation about dogs, while hiking with my German Shepherd Dog in Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. My GSD & Hiking compilation is a popular video, but it seems to draw the ire from over-protective dog owners, animal lovers and people who really don't understand pet ownership. Check out the video with almost a thousand comments!
What It's Like Owning a German Shepherd:
• What It's Like Owning ... --Trigger warning (haha, apparently.)
Too many people live in bubbles, with standards or lifestyles that don't reflect reality. There's nothing wrong with having and caring for a pet. But dogs are dogs, and they have their proper place in life. I've received an overwhelming number of comments about how I shouldn't let my dog do XYZ things (e.g., play with tennis balls, go down stairs, jump or pretty much "be a dog".)
This is my candid response to haters who are way too concerned about my dog especially, but come up with all sorts of nonsense about what you can and can't do with your dog. I got a German Shepherd to be adventurous, to have an active lifestyle, and enjoy their companionship. I did not get a GSD for a museum piece. Way too many comments saying German Shepherds shouldn't do (pretty much) anything. They're DOGS! So, let them be dogs.
Have fun, enjoy them as companion animals. You don't have to dedicate your life to your dog. Your dog is happy to be with you, go on adventures, and that is enough. No matter how well you take care of them - they don't last forever so make the time count. Stop babying your dog, pet or animals. This may be an extremely unpopular opinion, but people really need better priorities.
The long and short of it is: I would rather my dog have a full and exciting life day-to-day, than let them mope around inside or be confined to one floor of the house (because some people say they shouldn't go down stairs, lol,) or all the other ridiculous comments I've heard.
Life is not a museum. And my dog is super spoiled, lucky (stay-at-home mom, one kid and another on the way, work-from-home dad, gets special food and lots of exercise,) but you wouldn't believe how many negative comments we get because we just let her be a dog! She's a dog!
Let a dog be a dog…be outside and go!!!! 👍🏽
She's a beauty.
She’s a good dog! Get her two cheeseburgers. No pickles. Lol
She's a lovely Baby 🥰 I love German shepherds😊 Can I ask you a question please?@Janet
A very happy dog 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
These breeds get such a fulfilled satisfaction from Nature, and being fatigued is heaven to work dogs. And especially after couple miles of sniffing, hunting, splashing and running freeee, they actually smile. So thanks for sharing this hike. Lots of ❤️ to your fam , from ours!
100%, I don’t have access to places like this so I take my boy to the beach when nobody is there, he loves to run free.
Nope, you’re doing it RIGHT ON. She’s a GS, like ours, and they NEED what you do. The ones that don’t are who get hip dysplasia and torn ALC’s… my GS was watching yours tonight, and dreaming of the lake tomorrow!! Keep being YOU
Corey, people are jealous of your life! Mama always said, "Pick your battles". Meaning, only important things in life, ie. people, animals, and your home and country you love, and will love in the future are worth it. Within the everyday struggles we all face, bullcrap stupid jealousy ain't worth your time. You owe no one any explanation for being a fine young man that this parent of 5 would be very proud of! Its their problem! You don't have their problem! Cheers buddy pal!
Beautiful place, beautiful dog.
I love your dog. So cute. 🥰
Just found your channel and I too own a female GSD in the Chicago Are!! I walk her without leash at nights in my neighborhood since not many people are out but she loves it and listens. I feel that she trained herself lol because I'll admit I unintentionally let her leash go and she did run at first but as soon as there was some distance between us she came back and so I trusted her from that point on. She's learned to stop at intersections and I can trust her around busy streets like Ogden Ave. Seeing this video now though, I'm definitely making a day trip out there with her. I love how her name is similar sounding to yours lol. My girl is named Niska!
she sounds so much like our Rocky, He is 2 years old, and he is unreasonably energetic! Can't wait for it to pass. :)
My family had a female GSD when I was a teen ager. Misha has similarities in her character but also differences. I was sorry to hear of her health issues when she was a puppy but she seems OK now. It's wonderfull to see a GSD able to walk that much and having fun in water. (Just make sure she's vaccinated). Don't worry about her behaviour with cattle, she's a shepherd dog. I'm convinced she will show you amazing surprises in the next few years and you can post about it.
You do you man. Your dog;s eyes say it all.
Oh and I just showed my husband your upload here, and we agree with all your views , not just the GS you’re raising (right on) but all of them
that's why I like you and you know it's 100% dog
Fantastic we had a gsd mix lab he was such a fun dog we lost him last year God bless
I just found your channel. I love seeing you enjoy your dog. I own two GSD, one 12 months old, Sophie, and one 4 months old, Rocco. It is so fascinating their different temperaments. They are such fun animals. Enjoy your family, including Misha. I hear between the lines all that was stolen from you. I hold the same views. I hope you can rebuild with success. Blessings. P.S. What are you feeding Misha?
Thanks for the dog philosophy. I was a "museum dog" owner the first time around and am about to get a GSD. This video is what I want to be with the next dog. Beautiful/amazing dog!
Females are truly like this one.. we’ve got 2 males and a female, (whose the Boss) so she’s so spunky like this one, and imo , they’re more fun, so hopefully you get a “she” GS , for the first.. good luck and God bless
PS: with GS’s , imo, females are more fun than males, I’m jealous! My boy is cool, but our girl Kira (gorgeous sable) moved in with our newlywed daughter and her hubby’s male GS. We miss those two so much, but she reminds me exactly of your Meisha , lol
the dog is part of the family
We miss the Harly dude
A lot of dogs are smarter than their owners.
I think you should take her to Arizona with you. She is family too! A kennel is not good for her. She will think you left her. That is the only thing I see you doing wrong.
my dog is an alpha and is completely different
few people think like you
Please keep the language clean. Otherwise, I enjoyed your video.
cry more lol
you look after your dog as it should, but it is a beta dog