How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They are great family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their pups like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and can progress to paralysis incontinence and loss of mobility. Treatments, which could include medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery can ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should not run in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle, as this can damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Based on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise each day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Insurance for pets 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 extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs very serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are allowed to shine. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and to be alert.
The entire family should participate in the training of the German shepherd. It is a very family-oriented breed that will develop an enduring bond with the main handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he will grow up to be a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and grasp new commands easily. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to assist your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs can be cautious of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization at a young age to limit the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or other people walking along the road or in a park. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that influence how they view new experiences - often throughout their lives. It is important to introduce them to new situations and people as soon as possible.
Your breeder should have started this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
It is crucial to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. Also, you must protect from the common blunders of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior and an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.
deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen www.entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de can start by ticking a few things off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on the dog that is around. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.
Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will help them to accept the world around them once they are grown.
Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in cars, so if you can make them comfortable driving early on, it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult and could be a great time to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. However, this must be balanced as excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing for a long time can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. This is because they were bred to herd livestock. This means they have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job in hand.
Because they were bred for work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to respond quickly to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the coat can vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.