How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They make great pets for the family and are great as a working dog.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding, and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation and surgery.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other diseases. They'll require a nutritious diet that supports heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs with a stethoscope during his annual physical exam.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. It is best to avoid running especially near bikes or joggers as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise every day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, service animals and much more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. However, just like all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to keep their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of alertness and protection.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed and will form a strong bond with the main handler. It is important to start training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program designed to assist your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce destructive behavior because of their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are typically beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to limit their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive that can become exaggerated if not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

For instance 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. Although this could be a problem for certain people, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. Through this time, they learn about their world and form connections that influence the way they see new experiences. This could last for the remainder of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new situations and people as soon as you can.

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

It is essential to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid they might associate the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a reward for their fearful behavior which is a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.

Start by checking off some items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on the dog that is close by. This will help them become a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.

Find 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 training in settle you've been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the world outside when they reach the age of.

Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't known for their ease in cars and so getting them used to driving in the car early can make your road trips much more enjoyable!

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

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot for instance, could put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were born to help herd animals. They will possess a strong urge to herd and will be determined to finish the task.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners because they were bred for work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and can act quickly to defend their family members. They are also great service dogs that can assist police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to meet other dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your puppy and schäFerhund kaufen teach him basic commands.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that's harsh in one spot, and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich österreich; trainweb.com, soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to another but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.