A German Shepherd's week bag has to satisfy a large body, a heavier coat than expected, and a working brain that clocks off never. Pack for a strong, loyal, easily bored dog: measured food, robust walking gear, daily grooming basics, and enough structured activity that the sitter's week stays calm rather than creatively destructive.
Food for a large dog, with no drift
Pack the German Shepherd's usual food for seven days plus at least one spare day, because a big dog eats through a bag faster than sitters estimate, and running out mid-week forces exactly the sudden food change you want to avoid. Pre-portion or clearly mark daily amounts, write feeding times, and note that meals should be followed by a calm period rather than immediate rough play. Include the treat allowance and specify that training treats come out of that allowance, since a Shepherd in daily training games can quietly earn a second dinner in rewards. Pack the usual bowls if the sitter lacks large ones, and add a note on water: this breed drinks messily and often, so the bowl area will need a mat or towel. Store instructions plainly: food bag sealed and out of reach, because a determined Shepherd opens cupboards.
Walking gear for strength and focus
Pack the German Shepherd's well-fitted harness or collar and a strong, comfortable lead, plus a spare, because this is not a dog to walk on frayed equipment. Add waste bags in quantity, a towel for mud, and a reflective layer for dark evenings. Write the exercise plan the sitter is actually following: total daily walk time split as you split it, any routes this dog loves, and the training cues to practise on walks, such as heel, wait at kerbs, and leave it, so exercise doubles as mental work. Note honestly how this Shepherd behaves around other dogs, cyclists, and strangers, and which situations the sitter should cross the road to avoid. If a long line is part of your routine in secure fields, pack it with the rules for its use written down, and state plainly whether recall is reliable enough for any off-lead time at all.
The double coat and a brush that earns its space
Pack the brush or rake you use on the German Shepherd's dense double coat, because a week without grooming during a shedding spell leaves the sitter's home wearing the dog. Ask for short, regular brush sessions rather than one marathon, and note the areas that tangle or pack down, such as behind the ears and around the hindquarters. Add paw wipes or a towel routine for wet days and a note to check ears and mention persistent scratching, head shaking, or odour. Include bedding that can handle heavy shedding and a familiar blanket from home, since even a confident Shepherd sleeps better with home smells in a strange house. If this dog is young and still growing, note any exercise limits you follow for developing joints, such as avoiding repetitive stair climbs and slippery floor games.
Brains, boredom, and the paperwork pocket
Pack the German Shepherd's enrichment deliberately: the puzzle feeders, scent games, training toys, and appropriate chews this dog already knows, with a short note on the daily training routine that keeps this mind occupied. A Shepherd without a job will assign himself one, usually involving the fence line, the postman, or the sitter's shoes, so structure is the kindest thing in the bag. In the paperwork pocket, put the vet's number, an emergency clinic, your contacts, and a backup person strong enough to handle this dog, plus a health summary covering normal appetite, energy, and any stiffness or tummy sensitivity the vet already knows about. Ask for a same-day vet call if eating stops, vomiting repeats, the dog seems bloated or restless after meals, or lameness appears. Checking the Shepherd's packed bag against KinsLe's Care Pass before departure confirms food, gear, grooming, and brain work all made the trip together.