How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing regularly using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their pups such as elbow dysplasia or SchäFerhundwelpen hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgery.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with a vet to assess these conditions.

German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A healthy diet rich in omega fats and balanced vitamins, as well as a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should avoid running especially close to bikes or joggers, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a couple of hours of exercise every day to stay fit. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best possible care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart quick learners and highly adept at training. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. Like all breeds, require continuous and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and increased alertness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms bonds with their main handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn them quickly. Their intelligence is high and can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly controlled. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise as a result of their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are usually 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 aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting and deutsche Schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich can become over-emphasized if they are not well-socialized.

GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a vehicle passing by or other people walking along the path or in a park. While this might be a problem to some, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization that allows them to learn about the world and make connections that affect how they view new experiences - often throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and situations as early as is possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process, gaining your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and deutscher Schäferhund Kaufen experiences.

The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll associate the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of the particular thing for life. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.

Start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some ideas to get you started:

This isn't just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you when another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.

Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will help them adjust to the world around them once they are grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to being in the car early 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 can be a great way to work on retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot, for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems later in life.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job.

They are highly trainable and quick learners due to their breeding for deutsche schäFerhunde welpen Kaufen österreich work. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, helping the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and schäFerhund Kaufen welpe other high-profile places.

An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will be useful in the future.

A German Shepherd that is properly breed 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 may differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color can also differ from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat with a white chest.