How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most well-known breeds in America. They are great family pets and working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing hereditary diseases to their pups, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters and can develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medications, rehabilitation exercises or surgery can ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.

Eye conditions that may affect your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.

As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed area. They should avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their 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. Pet insurance can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, which allows you to concentrate on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent they are quick to learn and highly capable of being trained. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and schäferhund Beschützerinstinkt dedication to work are allowed to shine. Like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and heightened alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will form a close relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is important to begin training your puppy as early as you can so that he grows up to be a well and well-behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. Their intelligence is high and can lead to stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that may result from their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs may be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization at an early age so that they can 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 there are many GSDs who be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. They will learn that interaction with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. During this time they get to know their world and develop connections that will influence how they view new experiences. This could last for the rest of their life. It is essential to expose them to new situations and people as soon as you can.

When you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and building your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and objects.

It is important to present these experiences to them in a safe, controlled environment where they feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel threatened, they may associate the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a reward for their fearful behavior and a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.

You can begin 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 having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.

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

Car driving - German Shepherds aren't known for their ease in cars So getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much simpler!

Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to be comfortable in these places as an adult and could be a great way to work on retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and playing a lot can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems as they grow older.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were bred to manage animals. This means they have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly trainable. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

Inscribing 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 also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy in the future.

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