How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They are great family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt who are reputable will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their pups like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common issues for 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 disorder that causes a drunken gait. The cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and then progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. Treatments that may include rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery can help your dog live longer and more comfortably.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal disease that can lead to blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should not run, particularly beside a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Based 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 investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely adept at training. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs police officers, service animals, and much more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy, and work ethic. Like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened 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 tight connection with its handler. It is important to start training as early as you can to ensure that your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn quickly. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if not properly channeled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be cautious of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized at an early age to limit the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized if they are not appropriately socialized.
For example some GSDs be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to get along with. In turn they will be taught that being around humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time, they learn about their environment and make connections that affect 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.
Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process of building your pup's confidence to meet new people and things.
The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened, they may associate the experience with fear and be afraid for their entire lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This can be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.
Begin by completing a few items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This helps them be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle training you've been doing and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will help them accept the outside world when they are fully grown.
Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in cars and, therefore, if you get them used to driving from a young age, it will simplify your road trips.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet, 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 work on retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play, for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems when they become adults.
The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were designed to manage livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and are eager to finish the job.
Since they were bred to work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs that can assist police in drug-sniffing security, search and rescue.
One way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him the basics of commands that will be useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will differ from dog to dog but is usually 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 a white chest and belly.