How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They make great pets for families and working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to avoid passing hereditary diseases to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments that may include rehabilitation exercises, medication, or surgery, are available to ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as a blend that supports heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed space. They should not run in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle because it can cause damage to their ligaments and bones as they grow. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in your German Shepherd's well-being, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Insurance for pets gives you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus solely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart quick learners and extremely trainable. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals and many more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds they require a lot of and continuous training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of security and alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve the entire family. This breed is very sociable and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is important to start training as early as you can to ensure that your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are typically beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized at an early age to lessen their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to prey-drive and hunting and can become over-emphasized when they aren't well-socialized.
For instance there are many GSDs who be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this might be a problem for some, it is an acceptable behavior 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 humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. In schäferhund baby kaufen are exposed to their world and develop connections that affect the way they perceive new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as you can.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, but once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll associate the experience with being afraid and may then be fearful of that particular thing for life. You should also protect from the pitfalls of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're scared. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Begin by completing some items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and also 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.
Drive in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in vehicles, so if you can make them comfortable driving from a young age, it can simplify your road trips.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings as an adult, and could be a great way to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. It is important to do this in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing a lot can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems as an adult.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. They were designed to herd livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and will be eager to complete the task.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and are highly capable of training. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to another but is usually between 4 and 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup but most German Shepherds have a dark brown or black coat with a white chest.