How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to ensure that they do not pass hereditary illnesses to their puppies like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are many treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and even surgery.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise every day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian allowing you to focus on providing the best care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs police officers, service animals and much more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. Like reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter , require continual and intense training to keep an affable, obedient manner and to be alert.
The entire family should participate in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a close bond with its primary handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and grasp new commands quickly. Their intelligence is high and can lead to a stubbornness however, if it is not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program designed to assist your GSD stay focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs are prone to be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They must be socialized at an early age to limit the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being appropriately socialized.
GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the road or in parks. Although this could be a problem for some, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. In turn they will be taught that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. Through this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that affect the way they see new experiences. This could last for the remainder of their lives. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as soon as you can.
When you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. It is also important to shield from the common error of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.
Start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
It's not just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when another dog is nearby. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the outside world once they're fully grown.
Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't known for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much more enjoyable!
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will allow them to become at ease in these environments as adults and can be an excellent chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It should be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can damage the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot for instance, could put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen could cause problems later in life.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. They were born to help herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and will be eager to complete the task.
Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they are excellent service dogs, aiding police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to socialize with dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will be useful later on.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that's harsh in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from dog to dog, but will be usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.