How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and helps keep the coat looking healthy and schäFerhundwelpen shiny.

Health

German Shepherds have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to ensure that they do not pass on hereditary diseases to their puppies like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. Symptoms start with instability of the hind quarters and progress to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises, and surgical procedures.

Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not managed properly. These conditions require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fats balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and SchäFerhunde suchen Ein zuhause lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. It is best to avoid running especially near the bicycle or jogger, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in your German Shepherd's well-being as it will help provide veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, fast learners, and extremely trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and dedication to work are allowed to shine. Like all breeds, require continuous and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and increased alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that will develop an enduring bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as you can to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and pick them up quickly. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program designed to help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and Deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich inclinations.

GSDs are prone to be wary of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization early in order to reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting and can become over-emphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.

For example, many GSDs will engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior that should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. In turn, they will learn that being around humans and animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that affect how they view new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as you can.

When you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and experiences.

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might associate the experience with being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. It is important to keep them from making the error of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and could cause a lifetime of phobia.

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

It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you when a dog is nearby. This will help them become an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.

Seek out pet-friendly restaurants, deutscher schäferhund pflege cafes or shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will allow them adjust to the outside world after they have grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds aren't known for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much more enjoyable!

Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them become at ease in these environments as adults and can be an ideal 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. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can harm the bones of puppies. For example running, jumping and playing for a long time can put strain on a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This may lead to problems as they grow older.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd animals. They will have a strong instinct to herd and will be eager to complete the task.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners since they were bred for work. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and schäferhundwelpen they will act quickly to protect their family members. They are also excellent service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing, security and search and rescue.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. It is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy and teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, Schäferhundwelpen but the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with the chest and belly being white.