How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing hereditary diseases to their pups such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching the nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and can progress to paralysis incontinence and loss of mobility. Treatments, which may involve rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery can be found to help your dog live longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure and secure space. They should avoid running, particularly beside the bicycle or jogger as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise every day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a great investment in your German Shepherd's well-being because it will provide veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance provides you and your veterinarian peace of mind, allowing you to focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and extremely adept at training. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and intensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that will develop a strong bond with the principal handler. It is important to start training your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows into a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands with ease. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if not properly directed. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and reduce any destructive behavior that may arise due to their natural inclinations and instincts.
GSDs may be cautious of people who are not members of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age in order to reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated when not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.
GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a car or pedestrians walking on the path or in parks. Although this could be a problem to certain people, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. As a result they will be taught that being around humans as well as animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences - usually throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.
Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.
schäferhund abzugeben is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can develop their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid, they may associate the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior and which is a sure way to trigger a lifetime of phobias.
Start by checking off the items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become a calm and relaxed pet as they get older.
Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a coffee and cake date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the outside world after they have grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them used to driving at an early age, it will make your road trips easier.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult and could be a great time to play retrieval games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. For example running, jumping and playing for a long time can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were designed to manage animals. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job at hand.
Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and are highly capable of being trained. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and are able to respond quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue and providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to socialize with dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior puppy and teach him basic commands.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from dog to dog however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.