How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation test their dogs for genetic diseases, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises and surgery.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if it is not properly managed. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. They'll require a nutritious diet that supports heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running, particularly beside a jogger or bicycle as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. 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, fast learners, and extremely trained. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and many more - and thrive when given an outlet for their energy, intelligence and dedication to work. However, just like all breeds, these pups require extensive and continuous training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of security and alertness.
The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a close bond with its primary handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as soon as you can so that he can grow up to be a well behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior because of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized if they are not well-socialized.
For instance some GSDs engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to play with. As a result they will discover that being around humans and animals is fun and not a danger.
deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that affect how they perceive new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people as early on as possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process and developing your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and things.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can develop their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll associate the experience with being scared and could be afraid of the particular thing for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging or calming them when they're afraid. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by checking off a few items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when another dog is around. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle training you've been practicing and also introduce them to new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that will help them to accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Car driving - German Shepherds aren't known for their ease in cars So getting them used to driving in the car early can make your road trips much simpler!
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings as an adult and can be a great time to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping and playing for a long time, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than some other breeds. They were bred to manage livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job.
They are extremely trainable and quick learners since they were bred to work. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and can act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
A good way 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 and let him be social with dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.