How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They make great pets for families and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds have some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems with large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery, are available to ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. They will need a healthy diet that supports heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart and lungs with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should not run especially near the bicycle or jogger as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance gives you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely trainable. They take their job seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. However, just like schäferhund abzugeben , these pups require extensive and continuous training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protectiveness.
The entire family should participate in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very familial breed that will develop bonds with their principal handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as you can, so your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands quickly. However, their intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can aid your GSD stay focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs may be apprehensive of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They must be socialized early so that they can reduce the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting and can become over-emphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
For instance some GSDs engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to play with. As a result they will be taught that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that affect how they see new experiences - usually throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new situations and people at an early age.
Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and building your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and things.
It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of the particular thing for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and which is a sure way to trigger a lifetime of phobias.
Begin by completing a few items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are some ideas to get you started:
This isn't just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you when a dog is around. 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 for a coffee and cake date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will help them to be more comfortable with the world around them after they have grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their ease in cars, so getting them used to being in a car in the beginning can make your road trips simpler!
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will allow your puppy to be comfortable in these places as an adult and can be a great opportunity to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. However, this must be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping and playing for a long time, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. This is because they were bred to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have a strong herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.
Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and can react quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.
A good method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the coat will vary from dog to pup but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color can also differ from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.