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 working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their pups such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes an unsteady gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters, and then progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or surgery can ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart of your puppy using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical exam.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed space. reinrassiger schäferhund should not run close to jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the highest quality care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and much more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. They, like all breeds, require continuous and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and to be alert.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This is a very familial breed that forms a strong bond with the main handler. It is important to start training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he can grow into a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn them quickly. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that will help your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They must be socialized early in order to reduce the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive, which can be overemphasized when they aren't well-socialized.
GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a car or people walking on the road or in parks. While this can be a problem for some, it's actually a very normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. As a result they will be taught that being around other people as well as animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that influence how they see new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and experiences.
It is crucial to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll think of the experience as fear and will eventually be afraid of the specific thing for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour which is a sure way to create the habit of having phobias for life.
Start by checking off a few items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and pay attention to the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them to accept the world outside when they reach the age of.
Drive a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly at ease in vehicles, so if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it will make your road trips easier.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or the garden centre. This will help them get comfortable in these places as they grow older and is a a good occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of young puppies. For example running, jumping, and a lot of play can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can lead to problems as an adult.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As reinrassiger schäferhund that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than some other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to manage livestock. This means they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.
They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your dog and teach him 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 others. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. 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.