How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They make great pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds may have a few health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders test their dogs for genetic diseases, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters and can develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises, and surgical procedures.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. schäferhund kaufen is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that supports heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart with an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure space. It is best to avoid running especially near a jogger or bicycle, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives 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 highly adept at training. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are given a outlet. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should include the entire family. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a close relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to start training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he will grow to be a good and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that can assist your GSD remain focused on the task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized from a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated when not properly managed by regular positive socialization.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a vehicle passing by or other people walking along a path or through a park. Although this could be a problem for some, it's actually a very normal behavior that should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to get along with. In turn, they will learn that being around humans as well as animals is fun and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that shape how they see new experiences - often for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as soon as you can.
Once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can build trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will be able to connect the experience with being scared and could be fearful of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect from the common blunders of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened because this could be perceived as rewarding their fearful behaviour and a sure way to create a lifetime of phobias.
You can begin by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
This isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This helps them to be a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them accept the world outside once they're fully grown.
Drive a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them used to driving from a young age, it can make your road trips easier.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. This will help them get comfortable in these settings as adults and can be an excellent occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. However, it is important to be balanced as excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Running, jumping and playing for a long time, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems in adulthood.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to manage livestock. As such, they will have an innate herding instinct and a desire to complete the job at hand.
They are highly trainable and fast learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. They are also great service dogs who can aid police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior pup and teach him some basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup but the majority of German Shepherds sport a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.