How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are wonderful family pets as well as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or SchäFerhundwelpen undercoat rake can help reduce shed and helps keep the coat looking healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich or allergies.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments that may include rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery, are available to aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart with the help of 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 close to a jogger or bicycle as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should be active for a few hours each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd as it will help pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance provides you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate entirely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and schäferhundwelpen (stay with me) highly trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, schäFerhund welpen österreich Kaufen intelligence and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve the entire family. This breed is very sociable and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to start with your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows into a well and well-behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior blaue schäFerhunde that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs can be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They must be socialized at an early age in order to reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized if they are not properly socialized.

For instance, many GSDs will bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem to certain people, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. In turn, they will learn that being around other humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window, during which they learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new surroundings and people as quickly as possible.

Your breeder should have begun this for you, however once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your pup's confidence to meet new things and people.

The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will be able to connect the experience with being scared and could be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect from the common error of trying to soothe, encourage or einen deutschen schäFerhund kaufen encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.

Begin by completing the items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

This isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you when a dog is around. This will help them become a calm and peaceful family dog as they grow older.

Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the world around them after they have grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars, so getting them familiar with a car in the beginning can make your road trips much more enjoyable!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult, and could be a great time to play retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For example running, jumping and a lot of play can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues when they become adults.

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were designed to herd animals. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and be determined to finish the task.

They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also naturally guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs who can aid police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.

An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.