How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They are great for working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds have a few health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. It happens 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 symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen schäferhund kaufen österreich züchter [Source] including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and even surgery.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them for multiple walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. It is best to avoid running, particularly beside a jogger or bicycle as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate solely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and extremely trainable. They take their jobs very 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. However, just like all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that will develop a strong bond with the principal handler. It is crucial to begin training your puppy as soon as you can so that he will grow into a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Their intelligence is high and can lead to stubbornness, however, if it is not properly controlled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, 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 instincts and tendencies.
GSDs can be apprehensive of people who are not part of their immediate family. They must be socialized at an early age so that they can reduce the possibility of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with regular positive socialization.
GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a car or people walking on a path or through parks. While this might be a cause for concern to some, it’s in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that affect how they view new experiences – usually throughout their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new surroundings and people as quickly as possible.
Your breeder should have begun this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process, gaining your puppy’s confidence to interact with new things and people.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can build confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
You can begin by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy’s checklist of socialization. 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 to calm down and pay attention to you when a dog is close by. This will aid them in becoming a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle training you’ve been doing and introduce them to 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 aren’t generally at ease in vehicles So if you can get them used to driving early on, it will make your road trips easier.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult, and could be a great way to play retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running, and lots of play for instance, could put strain on the growing puppy’s ligaments and joints. This may lead to problems in adulthood.
The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to manage livestock. This means they have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job in hand.
They are extremely trainable and quick learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and can react quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search and 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 provide him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat that has a white chest.