How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They are great for working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Reputable breeders will test their dogs to ensure that they do not pass hereditary diseases to their pups such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a sluggish, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgery.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fats balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should avoid running especially near bikes or joggers as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen need to be active for a few hours each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in your German Shepherd's well-being because it will pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Insurance for pets gives you and your veterinarian peace of mind, allowing you to focus solely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They take their job seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are allowed to shine. These pups, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can, so 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 intelligence is high and can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program designed to help your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior as a result their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized if they are not properly socialized.
For example, many GSDs will be aggressive or bark at the vehicle that is passing by, or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. In this period they get to know their environment and make connections that affect how they view new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
It is important to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for life. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by taking note of the items on your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and pay attention to you when a dog is close by. This will help them become an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in vehicles So if you can make them comfortable driving at an early age it will make your road trips more enjoyable.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help them become at ease in these environments as they grow older and is a an ideal occasion 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 harm the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example, jumping, running and a lot of play can put strain on a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to manage livestock. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and a desire to complete the job in hand.
Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will be useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.