How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.

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

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are many treatments available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation and surgical procedures.

Eye conditions that may 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 eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should not run close to bicycle or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their energy level adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise every day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and highly trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and drive are provided with a means to express it. But, like any breed, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.

The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed that will develop a strong bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can to ensure that your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and grasp new commands easily. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly directed. 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 diminish any destructive behaviors that may arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are often cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to limit their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz can become over-emphasized if they are not well-socialized.

GSDs can bark or lunge in response to a vehicle passing by or people walking on the path or in a park. While this can be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. In turn, they will learn that being around humans and animals is fun and schäferhund Welpen österreich kaufen not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that affect how they see new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new surroundings and people as soon as possible.

Your breeder should have begun this process for you, but once you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.

It is important to share these experiences with them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be fearful of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You must also prevent them from making the error of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.

Start by taking note of a few items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

It's not just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.

Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the world outside once they are grown.

Driving in a car german shepherd schäferhundwelpen kaufen (click here for info) Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to driving in a car early on can make your road trips easier!

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

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and a lot of play can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than some other breeds. This is because they were bred to help herd livestock. They will have a strong instinct to herd and will be determined to finish the task.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding for work. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and will act quickly to protect their family members. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other prominent locations.

One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and the chance to interact with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.

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