How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding, and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to avoid passing on 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 digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. There are german shepherd kaufen , including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgical procedures.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other illnesses. deutschen schäferhund kaufen 'll require a nutritious diet that is supportive of heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical exam.
Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. They should avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise for a short period of time each day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives you and your veterinarian peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trainable. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. But, as with all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and continuous training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor and their increased sense of security and alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and 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 important to start training your puppy as early as possible so that he grows to be a good behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and pick them up quickly. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are often beware of people outside of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated when not properly managed by regular positive socialization.
For example some GSDs bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to play with. As a result they will be taught that being around humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that shape how they see new experiences - usually throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new people and situations as early as is possible.
When you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and experiences.
The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can develop their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel scared they might interpret the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging or calming those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by taking note of a few items on your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on you while another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle training you have been doing and also introduce them new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will help them accept the world outside once they're fully grown.
Take a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in cars, so if you can make them comfortable driving early on it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these settings as they grow older and is a a good chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example running, jumping and a lot of play can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they need. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than some other breeds. They were born to manage animals. They will possess a strong urge to herd and are eager to finish the job.
They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.
One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to interact with other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the coat may vary from dog to pup but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with the chest and belly being white.