How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds may have a few health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs for genetic diseases, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instability and can progress to paralysis incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and surgical procedures.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if not treated properly. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical examination.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. They should not run especially near the bicycle or jogger as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise a day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance 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 jobs seriously as guard dogs police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. They, like all breeds, require continual and intense training to keep an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve all members of the family. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is important to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he will grow up to be a well behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn them quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that will help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and reduce destructive behavior as a result their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are often beware of people outside of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive that can become exaggerated when not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or people walking on a path or through the park. While this may be a problem for certain individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to interact with. They will learn that interacting with other animals and humans is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. In deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich are exposed to their environment and make connections that affect the way they perceive new experiences. This could last for the remainder of their lives. 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 is your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
The most important thing is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by taking note of some items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on you even when another dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet, even when they're older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and introduce them to new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that will help them to accept the outside world when they are fully grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles, so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much more enjoyable!
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these places as adults and could be 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 moderation, as excessive exercise can harm the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot, for example, can stress the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems as an adult.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to manage livestock. They will have a strong instinct to herd and will be determined to finish the task.
They are highly trainable and quick learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and can react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
An effective method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful in the future.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is rough in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color can also differ from pup to pup but most German Shepherds have dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.