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 shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and help keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders with a good reputation check their dogs for hereditary diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

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, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can aid your dog to live longer and live more comfortably.

Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, schäFerhund welpe kaufen an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and a blend that supports heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the annual physical examination.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, like multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. It is best to avoid running, especially next to a bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, deutscher schäferhund kaufen service animals, and so much more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of alertness and protectiveness.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve the entire family. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin with your puppy as soon as possible so that he will grow into a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn quickly. Nevertheless, their high ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. 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 help reduce any destructive behavior that might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs are often cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to limit their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if not properly managed with regular positive socialization.

For SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen Schweiz example there are many GSDs who engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result, they will learn that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. Through this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that will influence the way they perceive new experiences. This can last the duration of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as you can.

Your breeder should have started this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.

It is crucial to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpen deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen schweiz (click here to read) safe environment where they feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel scared or frightened, they will think of the experience as being scared and could be afraid of that particular thing for life. It is also important to shield from the common blunders of trying to soothe or encourage them when they are frightened because this could be perceived as a way to reward their fearful behavior and a sure way to create a lifetime of phobias.

Start by checking off some 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 playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you when a dog is close by. 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 out for a cake and coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the outside world once they're fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their ease in cars and so getting them used to being in a car in the beginning can make your road trips much simpler!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and could 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 moderation, as excessive exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For instance running, jumping, and a lot of play can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems when they become adults.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. They were designed to manage animals. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job in hand.

Because they were bred for work quickly, deutsche Schäferhunde kaufen they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they are excellent service dogs, aiding police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will provide him with mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.