How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the spring and summer. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary ailments, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and even surgery.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that is supportive of the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running, particularly beside bikes or joggers as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. 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, quick learners, and highly capable of being trained. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are given a outlet. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a close bond with its primary handler. It is crucial to begin with your puppy as soon as possible so that he grows up to be a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly controlled. 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 could result from their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are typically beware of people outside of their immediate family and need to be socialized at a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if not properly managed by regular positive socialization.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or pedestrians walking on the road or in a park. While this can be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to play with. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they see new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.
Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and things.
It is essential to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel threatened they might associate the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. Also, you must protect from the common blunders of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour - an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.
You can start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you when a dog is close by. This helps them be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the outside world once they are grown.
Drive in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in vehicles So if you can get them used to driving at an early age it will simplify your road trips.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings as an adult and could be a great way to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can damage the bones of puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play, for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can lead to problems later on in life.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job.
They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior pup and teach him some basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in others. The length of the coat may differ from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with the chest and belly being white.