How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved 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 in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and even surgery.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not managed properly. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other illnesses. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can examine the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected space. They should not run close to bicycle or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will provide veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind to both you and your veterinarian, allowing you to focus on providing the best treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart quick learners and extremely adept at training. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and much more. They thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protectiveness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve all members of the family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands easily. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if it is not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that could arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs may be apprehensive of people who aren't part of their immediate family. They must be socialized at an early age so that they can reduce the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.
GSDs may engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or people walking on a path or through the park. While this may be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. They will learn that interacting with other animals and humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. Through this time they are exposed to their world and develop connections that will influence the way they perceive new experiences. This could last for the rest of their life. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new environments and people at an early age.
After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and things.
It is important to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment where they feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.
Begin by completing some items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them to settle down and pay attention to you while another dog is close by. deutsche schäferhunde kaufen will help them become an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.
Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a coffee and cake date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle training you have been doing and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can help them to accept the world around them once they're fully grown.
Drive a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly at ease in vehicles So if you can make them comfortable driving early on it will simplify your road trips.
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these places as adults and could be an ideal opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for instance, could cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.
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 drive than some other breeds. They were bred to help herd livestock. They will possess a strong urge to herd and are eager to complete the task.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and are highly capable of training. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile 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 the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior 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 others. 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, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with white belly and chest.