How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed 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 often with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny 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 to ensure that they do not pass hereditary illnesses to their puppies such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, Deutschen SchäFerhund Kaufen which can cause a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hind quarters and progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or Deutsche SchäFerhunde Kaufen surgery can help your dog live longer and live more comfortably.

German Shepherds may 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 need regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other illnesses. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. It is best to avoid running, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise for a short period of time each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in your German Shepherd's well-being as it will help pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance gives you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus entirely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly adept at training. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are provided with a means to express it. Like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.

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

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program that can aid your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs may be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age in order to reduce the possibility of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive that can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled by regular positive socialization.

GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a car or Blue Shepherds other people walking along the road or in a park. While this might be a problem for certain people, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process, gaining your puppy's confidence to interact with new things and people.

It is important to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience as being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect from the common blunders of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a reward for their fearful behavior Schäferhundwelpen kaufen which is which is a sure way to trigger an entire life of phobias.

Start by checking off a few items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions 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 pay attention to the dog that is close by. This will aid them in becoming a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.

Look for places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and also introduce them new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will help them accept the world outside once they're fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much easier!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will allow them to become at ease in these environments as they grow older and is a an excellent 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 structure of the skeletal system of puppies. Jumping, running, and lots of play for instance, could stress the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems as they grow older.

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 more drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to manage livestock. They will have a strong instinct to herd and are eager to finish the job.

They are highly trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.

Participating with 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 socialize with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him the basics of commands that will be useful later on.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat may differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.