How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

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

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds may have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause an unsteady, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. There are many treatments available, Belgischer schäferhund beschützerinstinkt welpen kaufen österreich (stokholm-nicholson.thoughtlanes.net) including medications and rehabilitation exercises and surgery.

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

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is required. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

Puppies and teens with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running close to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should 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 cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the highest quality care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain an affable, belgischer schäferhund kaufen schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen deutsche schäferhunde kaufen österreich (imoodle.win) obedient manner and to be alert.

The whole family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly channeled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and reduce any destructive behavior that may arise due to their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs may be apprehensive of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization at a young age to limit the possibility of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also tend to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not well-socialized.

For example there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem for certain people, belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn they will discover that being around humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. During this time they get to know their world and form connections that affect the way they perceive new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. So, it is important to expose them to new situations and people as early on as possible.

Your breeder should have begun this process for you, belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich but 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.

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience as being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep them from making the mistake of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.

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

This isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.

Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the world outside once they're fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars, so getting them familiar with the car early can make your road trips much easier!

Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them get comfortable in these places as they grow older and is a a good opportunity to work on recall games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be balanced as excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping and playing for a long time for instance, could cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This may lead to problems later in life.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.

Because they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and are highly trainable. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their loved ones. 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 at banks and other high-profile places.

Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another, but will be usually between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.