How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will test their dogs to ensure that they do not pass hereditary diseases to their pups, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgical procedures.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. reinrassiger schäferhund Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund 'll require a nutritious diet that promotes the health of their heart with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected area. They should avoid running in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle because it can cause damage to their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise every day to stay fit. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd 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 only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is given a outlet. Like all breeds, require ongoing and intense training to keep an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will develop a strong connection with its handler. It is crucial to start training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he can grow into a well and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that will assist your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to be socialized at an early age to lessen their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
For instance there are many GSDs who engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem for some, it is an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. As a result they will be taught that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. During this time they get to know their world and form connections that affect how they view new experiences. This could last for the rest of their life. It is important to introduce them to new surroundings and people as quickly as you can.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, but once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your pup's confidence to meet new people and experiences.
The most important thing is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with fear and become fearful for life. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by checking off the items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to calm down and focus on you while another dog is around. This helps them be an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the outside world when they are fully grown.
Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in cars, so getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips more enjoyable!
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult and can be a great time to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. For example running, jumping and a lot of play can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems as an adult.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd animals. As such, they will have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.
Because they were bred to work, they are quick learners and highly capable of training. They are also naturally guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to interact with other dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next but is usually 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 a white chest and belly.