How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

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

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed, and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause an unsteady drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and live more comfortably.

Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

Like other large breeds, schäFerhund kaufen österreich German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.

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. They should not run in close proximity to cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds should exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd because it will provide veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, which allows you to concentrate on providing the best possible care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, fast learners, and highly trainable. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and so much more - and deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy, and work ethic. Like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight bond with its primary handler. It is important to start training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and SchäFerhund Welpen öSterreich Kaufen learn quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD stay focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs may be apprehensive of people who are not members of their immediate family. They require socialization at an early age so that they can reduce the possibility of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive, purebred German Shepherd puppy which can be overemphasized when they aren't properly socialized.

GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the road or in the park. While this can be a problem for certain but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to interact with. As a result they will be taught that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and Deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.

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

It is essential to present these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of the particular thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging or calming them when they're afraid. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and create a lifetime phobia.

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

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

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights scents, textures, and smells. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the world around them after they have grown.

Drive in a car. German Shepherds aren't known for schäferhund welpe kaufen being at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them used to driving at an early age it will make your road trips easier.

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these settings as adults and could be an excellent occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. However, this must be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Jumping, running and playing for a long time for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems later on in life.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job in hand.

Because they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and highly capable of training. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and are quick to act to protect their family members. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.

A good 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 also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is rough in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color can also differ from pup to pup but the majority of German Shepherds sport a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.