How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved 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 in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and helps keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will check their dogs for health issues to ensure that they do not pass hereditary illnesses to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hind quarters and advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or surgery, are available to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.

Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as an array of foods that support heart health is required. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. It is best to avoid running especially close to bikes or joggers as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise for a short period of time each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and extremely trainable. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they are guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are given a outlet. They, like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the main handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as early as possible so that he will grow into a well behaved companion.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn quickly. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. In-depth and targeted 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 could arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs may be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at an early age so that they can reduce the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated when not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

For instance, many GSDs will bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this might be a problem to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result they will discover that being around other people as well as animals is fun and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that affect how they see new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new people and situations as early as is possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this for you, however when you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.

It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect from the common blunders of trying to sooth or encourage them when they are frightened because this could be perceived as a way to reward their fearful behavior and which is a sure way to trigger a lifetime of phobias.

Start by taking note of some items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few ideas to help you get 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 Deutscher Schäferhund kaufen pay attention to you while another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.

Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and also introduce them new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the world around them when they are fully grown.

Take in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars So if you can get them used to driving from a young age it can make your road trips 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 could be a great opportunity to play retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. It is important to do this in moderation, deutscher schäferhund kaufenschäferhund kaufen lebenserwartung (previous) as excessive exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. Jumping, running and playing for a long time for instance, could cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.

The puppy's natural drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to help herd livestock. This means they have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job at hand.

Because they were bred for work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and highly capable of training. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will act quickly to defend their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing, security and search and rescue.

An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to meet other dogs. This is also an excellent chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that's harsh in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from dog to dog, but will be usually between 4-6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with the chest and belly being white.