How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are excellent pets for families and as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and can progress to paralysis incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments, which may involve medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can be found to aid your dog to live longer and more comfortably.

German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.

German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, Deutscher SchäFerhund Zu Verkaufen and other illnesses. They will need a healthy diet that is supportive of the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart and lungs with a stethoscope during his yearly physical exam.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should avoid running especially near the bicycle or jogger as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise every day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, deutschen Schäferhund kaufen and extremely trainable. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund kaufen many more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and intense training to keep a friendly, compliant demeanor and to be alert.

Training for a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve all members of the family. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a close connection with its handler. It is crucial to begin training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and deutscher schäFerhund Zu verkaufen learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand Deutschen schäFerhund kaufen and reduce any destructive behavior that may arise as a result of their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs may be wary of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization at a young age in order to reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized in the absence of being well-socialized.

For example there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for some, it's actually a very normal behavior that should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. In turn, they will learn that being around other humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window, during which they learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences - often throughout their lives. It is essential to expose them to new surroundings and people as quickly as you can.

Your breeder should have started this for you, but once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new things and people.

The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will associate the experience with fear and will eventually be fearful of that particular thing for life. You should also protect from the pitfalls of encouraging or calming those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and could cause a lifetime of phobia.

Start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you going:

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 the dog that is in the vicinity. This helps them be a calm, relaxed pet when they get older.

Look for places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a coffee and cake date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will allow them adjust to the outside world when they reach the age of.

Take in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in vehicles So if you can make them comfortable driving from a young age it can simplify your road trips.

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult and could be a great time to practice retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be managed with care as over exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing for a long time can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.

Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to herd livestock. This means they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.

Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and are highly capable of training. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their loved ones. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping the police in drug sniffing and aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

Participating with 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 the chance to interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful later on.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another, but will be usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with white belly and chest.