How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They make great pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs for genetic diseases, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and even surgery.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using the help of a stethoscope during 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 in an enclosed, safe space. It is best to avoid running close to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Depending on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise each day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise 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 provides you and your veterinarian peace of mind and lets you focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, fast learners, and highly 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 drive are provided with a means to express it. Like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very family-oriented and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and learn them quickly. However, their intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are typically beware of people outside of their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to lessen their potential for schäferhund kaufen aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized in the absence of being appropriately socialized.
For example there are many GSDs who be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to play with. They will learn that interaction with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. Through this time they get to know their world and form connections that influence the way they see new experiences. This can last for the duration of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations 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 introduce them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with fear and become fearful for life. You should also protect from the pitfalls of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and could cause a lifetime of phobia.
Start by taking note of the items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when a dog is nearby. This helps them be a calm, relaxed pet when they get older.
Seek out places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a cake and coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle training you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them to accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Take a car. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in cars So if you can get them used to driving at an early age it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult and can be a great way to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of young puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to manage livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.
Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and highly trainable. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting the police in drug sniffing and aiding in search &