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 working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs for hereditary ailments, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems with large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises, and surgical procedures.
German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical exam.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running close to cyclist or jogger because it can cause damage to their growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus solely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trainable. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and so much more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence and work ethic. Like all breeds, require ongoing and intense training to keep a friendly, compliant demeanor and increased alertness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a close connection with its handler. It is important to start training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he can grow to be a good and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn them quickly. Their intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that might arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs may be cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at an early age so that they can reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
GSDs can bark or lunge in response to a vehicle passing by or people walking on the road or in parks. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn they will discover that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. During this time, they learn about their world and form connections that will influence the way they see new experiences. schäferhund welpe kaufen can last for the remainder of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new situations and people at an early age.
Once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility for continuing the process and building your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and experiences.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or scared, they'll associate the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of the specific thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging or calming those who are scared. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.
Begin by completing a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you when another dog is nearby. This will help them become a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Seek out dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle training you've been doing and also introduce them new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the world outside once they're fully grown.
Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles So getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much simpler!
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 your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult and can be a great way to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It is important to do this in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. For example running, jumping, and a lot of play can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can cause issues later on in life.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were designed to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job in hand.
Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their loved ones. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding the police in drug sniffing and aiding in search & rescue as well as providing security in banks and other prominent locations.
An effective way to help 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 socialize with dogs. This is a great method to encourage good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.