How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing on hereditary diseases to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises and even surgery.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fats, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his annual 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 a safe, enclosed space. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Adult German Shepherds should be active for a few hours each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart quick learners and highly adept at training. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and many more. They thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. But, like any breed, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
The whole family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is essential to begin training as early as possible so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands easily. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly channeled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like 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 may arise due to their natural inclinations and instincts.
GSDs may be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized early to limit the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive, which can be overemphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
GSDs can bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on a path or through a park. While this might be a problem for some, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. In turn, they will learn that being around other humans as well as animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. Through this time they get to know their world and develop connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This could last for the remainder of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as you can.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and experiences.
The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with fear and be afraid for their entire lives. It is also important to shield from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and which is a sure way to trigger an entire life of phobias.
You can begin by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions 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 to calm down and pay attention to the dog that is close by. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the world around them after they have grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in vehicles So if you can make them comfortable driving at an early age, it will make your road trips easier.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and could be an excellent occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can harm the bones of puppies. For schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen , jumping, running and playing for a long time can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.
The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were bred to manage livestock. Therefore, they have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job in hand.
Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing security, search and rescue.
A good method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next but is usually between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat that has a white chest.