How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets and working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to ensure that they do not pass on hereditary diseases to their puppies like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe schäferhund welpe kaufen züchter (address here) loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.

Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds need a few hours of exercise a day to stay fit. 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. Pet insurance provides you and your veterinarian peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trainable. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are allowed to shine. However, just like all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor and their increased sense of alertness and protectiveness.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. It is a very family-oriented breed and will form a strong bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn them quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that will aid your GSD remain focused on the task and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs may be cautious of people who are not members of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age so that they can reduce the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive that can become exaggerated when not properly managed by regular positive socialization.

For instance, many GSDs will bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this might be a problem to some, it is an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result they will discover that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that affect how they see new experiences - often throughout their lives. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as possible.

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

It is crucial to present these experiences to them in a safe, controlled environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened they might associate the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour which is an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.

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

Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.

Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the world around them once they're fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles, so getting them used to driving in the car early can make your road trips much easier!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and can be an ideal chance to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. For example, jumping, running and German Shepherds are looking for a Home playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.

The puppy's natural drive will determine how much energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred to work. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will act 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 and providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.

Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but is usually between 4-6 inches long. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with the chest and belly being white.