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 shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary ailments, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and can progress to paralysis incontinence and Reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen Welpe (79Bo3.Com) loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.

Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them on multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. They should avoid running especially close to bikes or joggers as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance gives 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 extremely trained. They take their job seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and drive are given a outlet. Like all breeds, require ongoing and intensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and increased alertness.

The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he will grow up to be a well behaved companion.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn them quickly. Their intelligence is high and can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as 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 inclinations and instincts.

GSDs can be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age to limit the possibility of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.

For instance, many GSDs will bark or lunge at a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for certain individuals, blaue schäferhunde kaufen (http://Www.pcnews.com.tw) it's a normal behavior that should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. They will learn that interaction with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that shape how they see new experiences - often for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as soon as you can.

After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.

The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a secure, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior - an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.

Start by taking note of some items from your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and pay attention to you when a dog is around. This helps them be a calm, relaxed pet when they get older.

Seek out places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the world around them once they're fully grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to driving in a car in the beginning can make your road trips easier!

Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult and could 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 harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance running, jumping, and a lot of play can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems when they become adults.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were designed to herd animals. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job in hand.

Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely trainable. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their loved ones. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is a great way to get him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the hair will vary from dog to dog however, it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.