How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They are great family pets and working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed and Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their pups such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises, and surgery.

Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected area. They should avoid running, particularly beside the bicycle or jogger, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help pay for veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent, fast learners, and extremely capable of being trained. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. But, as with all breeds, schäferhund baby kaufen these pups require extensive and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe continuous training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor and their increased sense of alertness and protectiveness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form a strong bond with the main handler. It is important to begin training your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows to be a good behaved companion.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly directed. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that might arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs may be wary of people who are not members of their immediate family. They require socialization at an early age to limit the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and reinrassiger deutscher SchäFerhund hunting, which can be overemphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.

GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a vehicle passing by or people walking on the path or in a park. While this may be a cause for concern to certain people, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and reinrassiger deutscher SchäFerhund people around. As a result they will discover that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that affect how they perceive new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.

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

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid, they may associate the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth or encourage them when they are frightened because this could be perceived as a way to reward their fearful behavior and which is a sure way to trigger a lifetime of phobias.

Start by taking note of the items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and pay attention to you while another dog is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming 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 coffee and cake date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights scents, textures, and smells. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the world around them when they reach the age of.

Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars, so if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it can make your road trips more enjoyable.

Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult and can be a great time to practice retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running and Deutsche SchäFerhunde Kaufen playing a lot for Altdeutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen instance, could put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues as an adult.

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 more drive than some other breeds. This is because they were developed to herd livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and be determined to finish the task.

They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred for work. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and can respond quickly to protect their family members. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to interact with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and teach him the basics of commands that will be useful in the future.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 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 white chest.