How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great for pets for the family and are great as a working dog.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing often using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will test their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. This occurs when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. The signs start with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgery.

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

As with other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as a mix that promotes the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected area. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, schäferhund kaufen quick learners and extremely trainable. They take their job serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is given a outlet. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of alertness and protectiveness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is important to start training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to help your GSD remain focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs may be cautious of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age in order to reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being well-socialized.

For instance there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they see new experiences - usually throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, Schäferhundwelpen kaufen however when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process, building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.

The key is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, schäferhund Kaufen welpe controlled environment where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience with being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This can be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and could cause a lifetime of phobia.

You can start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to calm down and pay attention to you when a dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen sounds, smells and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the world around them once they're fully grown.

Use a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in cars, Schäferhund kaufen Welpe so if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it can simplify your road trips.

Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and can be a good occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. It is important to do this in moderation, as excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and a lot of play can put strain on a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues as an adult.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd livestock. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

Because they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police with drug sniffing and security 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 in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that is rough in one spot, Deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from dog to dog however, it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.