Physical exercise: Most adult shepherds do well on one to two hours of activity a day, plus free time to sniff and potter. Walking is not the only option — structured play, training and off-lead time (where safe) all count.

Mental stimulation: This is often the missing piece. Sniffing, puzzle work, training, scatter feeding and problem-solving tire a shepherd as much as miles do. A shepherd with a busy brain is a calmer dog.

Rest: German Shepherds need real downtime. A dog who is constantly stimulated can become as frayed as one who is bored. Teach your dog that quiet is safe.

Enrichment: Let them use their nose and their head. Chews, sniff walks, scatter feeding and new experiences all enrich a life that could otherwise be repetitive.

Over-exercising puppies: Growing joints are vulnerable. There is no universal minute-by-age exercise formula suitable for every puppy. Exercise should be age-appropriate, varied, largely self-paced and adjusted to the puppy's build, health, confidence and response. Free, self-paced movement, sniffing and exploration, short positive outings, play on suitable surfaces and frequent rest build a sound adult. Stop before fatigue, and avoid forced-distance walking, repetitive jumping, sustained road running, endless high-speed ball chasing, and repeated sharp turns and stops. Appropriate movement supports development; repetitive overload and forced exertion create avoidable risk.