How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most well-known breeds in America. They make great pets for families as well as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and helps keep the coat looking clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing hereditary diseases to their pups, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions 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 nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters and can advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or surgery can be found to help your dog live longer and live more comfortably.

German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected area. It is best to avoid running especially close to a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Insurance for pets 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 trained. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and Schäferhund kaufen welpe work ethic is allowed to shine. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and continuous training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor and their increased sense of security and alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve the entire family. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to begin training your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows to be a good and Schäferhund kaufen welpe well-behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands with ease. However, their intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to help your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior as a result their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to limit their potential for aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized when they aren't well-socialized.

GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on a path or through a park. Although this could be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to interact with. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that influence how they view new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as possible.

After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.

It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment where they feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth, Deutscher SchäFerhund Pflege encourage or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a way to reward their fearful behavior and which is a sure way to trigger an entire life of phobias.

Start by checking off the items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

This isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you when another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm and peaceful family dog as they grow older.

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, Deutsche schäferhunde welpen Kaufen öSterreich or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle training you have been doing and also introduce them new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that will help them accept the outside world once they're fully grown.

Take in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars So if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it will make your road trips easier.

Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help them become at ease in these environments as adults and can be an ideal occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. It should be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and SchäFerhund Kaufen Welpe ligaments. This may lead to problems later in life.

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to herd livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile locations.

Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. This is also an excellent chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy and teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful in the future.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one spot, Deutsche Schäferhunde kaufen and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.