How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They make great working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation and even surgery.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. These conditions will require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other diseases. They require a balanced diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical exam.
schäferhundwelpen and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected area. They should avoid running, especially next to a bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance can be an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent they are quick to learn and highly capable of being trained. They take their job serious, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. But, as with all breeds, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the main handler. It is important to begin training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he can grow into a well behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. Their 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 help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that may result from their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They require to be socialized at a young age to reduce their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being properly socialized.
GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or people walking on the path or in a park. Although this could be a problem for some, it is an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. schäferhund kaufen welpe will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interaction with other animals and humans is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period, during which they learn about the world and form connections that shape how they see new experiences - often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new environments and people at an early age.
Your breeder should have started this for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your pup's confidence to meet new things and people.
It is crucial to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with fear and be afraid for their entire lives. Also, you must protect from the common blunders of trying to sooth or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.
Start by checking off a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:
It's not just about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on you when another dog is nearby. This will help them become a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.
Seek out pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a coffee and cake date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights, smells, and textures. This will allow them to accept the world outside after they have grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much easier!
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or a garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult and can be a great opportunity to play retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be balanced as excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance running, jumping, and a lot of play can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This may lead to problems as they grow older.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and an eagerness to do the job.
They are highly trainable and quick learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile locations.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful in the future.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.