How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds 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 regularly using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders with good reputations will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. This occurs when the cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters and can develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises and Deutsche SchäFerhunde Kaufen surgical procedures.

Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that could lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. They should not run in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in your German Shepherd's well-being, since it can help pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and highly adept at training. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and much more. They thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. But, as with all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor and their increased sense of security and alertness.

The entire family should participate in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the main handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can pick them up quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if it is not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program designed to aid your GSD remain focused on the task and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and dispositions.

GSDs are typically beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

For instance there are many GSDs who engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a cause for concern to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time they get to know their world and form connections that will influence the way they see new experiences. This could last for the rest of their life. It is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as possible.

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

It is important to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel scared they might interpret the experience with fear and become fearful for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.

Begin by completing a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and focus on you while another dog is close by. This will help them become a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, deutscher schäferhund kaufenschäferhund kaufen welpe lebenserwartung (more resources) restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the outside world when they reach the age of.

Driving in a car German Shepherds are not known for their ease in cars So getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much easier!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will allow them to become at ease in these environments as they grow older and is a an ideal opportunity to work on recall games.

Exercise

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

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to manage livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job.

Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing, security and search and rescue.

One method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will come in handy in the future.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that's harsh in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from dog to dog but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color can also differ from pup to pup however, deutsche SchäFerhunde welpen kaufen österreich most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.