How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They make great pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and helps keep the coat looking clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs for hereditary ailments, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause an unsteady drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters, and then progress to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery can be found to help your dog live longer and live more comfortably.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, including numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should avoid running close to jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in your German Shepherd's well-being as it will help provide veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and dedication to work are given a outlet. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and increased alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will form a close connection with its handler. It is essential to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he grows to be a good behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs can be apprehensive of people who are not members of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age so that they can reduce the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive that can become exaggerated when not properly managed by regular positive socialization.
GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a car or pedestrians walking on the road or in parks. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time, they learn about their environment and make connections that will influence how they view new experiences. This could last for the duration of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and experiences.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a secure, controlled environment where they can build their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You must also prevent them from making the error of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're afraid. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
You can start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
It's not just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is around. schäferhund kaufen will aid them in becoming an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them to accept the world around them when they are fully grown.
Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in vehicles, so if you can get them comfortable with driving at an early age, it will make your road trips easier.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will help them become comfortable in these settings as adults and could be a good occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping and playing for a long time, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues as they grow older.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd animals. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and are highly capable of training. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing security, search and rescue.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to socialize with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but is usually between 4-6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.