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 working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions 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, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters and can advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery can aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds can suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teens with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. They should not run, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle, as this can damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help pay for veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. It also provides peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, which allows you to concentrate on providing the best possible care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and highly adept at training. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and so much more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. However, just like all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor and their increased sense of security and alertness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is essential to begin with your puppy as soon as you can so that he grows to be a good behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands with ease. However, their high level of intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program designed to assist your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior because of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are prone to be wary of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized early so that they can reduce 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 well-socialized.
GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a car or pedestrians walking on the path or in a park. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will learn that interaction with other animals and humans is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that shape how they view new experiences - often throughout their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.
When you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
It is essential to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will think of the experience as fear and will eventually be afraid of the specific 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 can be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and can cause a lifetime fear.
Begin by completing some items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions 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 you when a dog is around. This will aid them in becoming an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.
Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and introduce them to new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that will help them to accept the world around them when they are fully grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their ease in cars So getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much simpler!
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to become comfortable in these environments as an adult, and could be a great time to play retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. This must be done in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the bones of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can stress the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can lead to problems when they become adults.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were designed to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job in hand.
Because they were bred for work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
A good method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to interact with other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful later on.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is rough in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next but is usually between 4 and 6 inches. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt can also differ from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat with a white chest.