A Calm German Shepherd Sits Guard Over the Pile of Presents

Among the kraft-paper gifts and a red plaid package, the German Shepherd sits like a calm guardian. His black-and-tan coat gleams, his ears are alert and his dark eyes look to the side, watching the room. The tree beside him is decorated with wooden stars, pinecones and soft lights, and a pair of slippers and a few scattered items on the carpet show that the household is relaxed and lived-in.

German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence and trainability, and a well-trained dog can be remarkably patient near a pile of tempting gifts. Even so, wrapped presents can carry food smells such as chocolate, jerky or treats, and dogs can sniff those out in seconds. Keep edible gifts on a shelf or hidden away. A quick training session on a command like "leave it" or "stay" is useful during the holidays, and a mat or bed near the tree gives your dog a place to settle.

Let's call him Max. He sits there like a seasoned professional, waiting for his name to be called. If a wrapped gift has his name on it, he'll know exactly which one it is, and probably get the box open faster than anyone else in the family. Sitting still near the presents is no small feat for a dog, and he deserves a good scratch behind the ears for it, along with a treat of his own.