How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They are excellent working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and helps keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. The cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The signs begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments, which may involve rehabilitation exercises, medication, or surgery can aid your dog to live longer and more comfortably.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not managed properly. These conditions require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. They should not run, particularly beside the bicycle or jogger, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd because it will provide veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly capable of being trained. They take their jobs very serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and intense training to keep a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened alertness.
The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will develop a strong bond with its primary handler. It is essential to begin training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he will grow to be a good behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly directed. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that could result from their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs can be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized early to limit the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.
For instance there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may 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 others and animals to get along with. They will learn that interacting with other animals and humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. In this period they are exposed to their world and form connections that affect the way they see new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as soon as you can.
Your breeder should have begun this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your pup's confidence to meet new things and people.
It is crucial to share these experiences with them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience as being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield from the common blunders of trying to sooth or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause a lifetime of phobias.
Start by checking off the items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:
It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on you when another dog is around. This helps them be a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the world outside once they're fully grown.
Use a car. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you make them comfortable driving at an early age, it can make your road trips easier.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to be comfortable in these places as an adult and could be a great opportunity to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It is important to do this in moderation, as excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For example, jumping, running and a lot of play can put strain on a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems as an adult.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd animals. This means they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job.
They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred for work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and can act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to socialize with dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will be useful in the future.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat may vary from dog to pup 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 the chest and belly being white.