How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most loved breeds in America. They are great family pets and working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Breeders with a good reputation check their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause 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 a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgical procedures.

Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not treated properly. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. They will need a healthy diet that supports the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on multiple walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running especially near a jogger or bicycle, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trainable. They take their job seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or SchäFerhund abzugeben service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is allowed to shine. These pups, like all breeds, require continual and intense training to keep a friendly, compliant demeanor schäFerhund baby schäferhundwelpen kaufen, Pdc says, and heightened alertness.

The entire family should participate in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very familial breed and will form an enduring bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible so that your puppy can be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and learn quickly. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to help your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior due to their natural instincts and dispositions.

GSDs are often wary of people outside their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized if they are not properly socialized.

For instance some GSDs be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a cause for concern to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn they will discover that being around other humans as well as animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. During this time they get to know their world and Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen form connections that affect the way they see new experiences. This can last the remainder of their lives. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as possible.

Your breeder should have begun this for you, however when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.

It is important to introduce these experiences to them in a safe, controlled environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel afraid, 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 to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and can cause a lifetime fear.

Start by taking note of the items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some ideas 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 how to calm down and focus on the dog that is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.

Look for places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the world around them once they are grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in a car in the beginning can make your road trips simpler!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow them to become at ease in these environments as adults and can be a good opportunity to work on recall games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Jumping, running, and lots of play for instance, could cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.

The puppy's natural drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to manage livestock. This means they have a strong herding instinct and reinrassiger Deutscher schäFerhund kaufen a desire to complete the job.

They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred to work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.

One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will prove useful in the future.

A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to the next, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen but will be usually between 4-6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.