How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They make great working dogs and family pets.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will test their dogs to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their pups, such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. This occurs when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich deutscher schäferhund pflege pflege (Highly recommended Resource site) decreased mobility. Treatments that may include rehabilitation exercises, medication, or surgery can be found to aid your dog to live longer and more comfortably.

German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can lead to blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that is supportive of the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart and lungs with a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.

Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them for multiple walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. It is best to avoid running especially near the bicycle or jogger, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to be active for a few hours each day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely adept at training. They take their job seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and intensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and increased alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve the entire family. This is a very family-oriented breed that will develop an enduring bond with the principal handler. It is crucial to begin training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that will assist your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs are prone to be apprehensive of those who aren't part of their immediate family. They require socialization early in order to reduce the potential for aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized in the absence of being properly socialized.

GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a car or people walking on the road or in a park. While this may be a problem to some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. As a result they will discover that being around other people as well as animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window, during which they learn about the world around them and make connections that shape how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.

It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will associate the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of that particular thing for life. It is important to keep 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.

Begin by completing some items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas 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 the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.

Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the outside world when they are fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds are not known for their comfort in cars and so getting them familiar with a car in the beginning can make your road trips much simpler!

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will help them become at ease in these environments as adults and could be a good chance to practice recall games.

Exercise

In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It should be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot for instance, could cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues as they grow older.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd animals. As such, they will have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and Reinrassiger deutscher Schäferhund kaufen are highly capable of being trained. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search and 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 needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. This is a great method to encourage good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in others. The length of the coat may differ from dog to dog but is usually between 4-6 inches long. The color can also differ from pup to pup but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.