How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They are excellent pets for families and as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to ensure that they do not pass hereditary illnesses to their puppies, schäFerhund kaufen such as elbow dysplasia and schäferhund Kaufen hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and progress to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments that may include rehabilitation exercises, medication, or surgery, are available to help your dog live longer and more comfortably.

German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can lead to blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fats, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical exam.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. It is best to avoid running close to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise each day to stay fit. Pet insurance is a good 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 for both you and your veterinarian, allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is allowed to shine. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and intensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and to be alert.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms bonds with their main handler. It is important to begin training your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows up to be a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn them quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if it is not properly controlled. 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, and help reduce any destructive behavior that might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs are usually cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being well-socialized.

For instance, many GSDs will engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or reinrassiger schäferhund baby kaufen (http://soosan.kr/) at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to play with. They will learn that interaction with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. During this time they get to know their world and form connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last for the remainder of their lives. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this for you, however when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and experiences.

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a secure, controlled environment where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. You should also protect from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.

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

This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be a calm, relaxed pet when they get older.

Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will allow them to accept the world outside once they are grown.

Take a car. German Shepherds aren't known for SchäFerhundwelpen Kaufen being comfortable in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving at an early age, it can simplify your road trips.

Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or a garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult, and could be a great time to play retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong desire to herd and be eager to complete the task.

They are highly trainable and fast learners due to their breeding to work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their loved ones. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile locations.

A good method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. 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 pup and teach him some basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup but the majority of German Shepherds sport a dark brown or black coat with a white chest.