How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They are great family pets and working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds may have some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to ensure that they do not pass hereditary diseases to their pups, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat, and food sensitivities or allergies.
reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen 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, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and progress to weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery, are available to aid your dog to live longer and more comfortably.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if it is not properly managed. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart with the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed space. They should not run, particularly beside the bicycle or jogger, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Pet insurance provides you and your veterinarian peace of mind which allows you to concentrate entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and much more. They thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of security and alertness.
The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed that will develop bonds with their main handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Their intelligence is high and can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that will aid your GSD remain focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs may be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized early in order to reduce the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive, which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
For example, many GSDs will engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. In turn, they will learn that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world and form connections that shape how they see new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new people and situations at an early age.
When you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
It is crucial to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being scared and could be afraid of that particular thing for life. It is also important to shield from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior - a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.
Start by checking off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you while another dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Seek out pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great chance to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and also introduce them new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can help them to accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Take in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving from a young age it will make your road trips more enjoyable.
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 can be a great opportunity to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It should be done in moderation, since excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues as an adult.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than some other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to manage livestock. This means they have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job in hand.
Because they were bred for work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of training. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that can assist police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
One method 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 allow him to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to pup but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.