How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great family pets and working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding, and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Reputable breeders screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. 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 progress to 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 surgery.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can lead to blindness if not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
As with other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fats balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.
Puppies and teens 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. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise every day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the health of your German Shepherd as it will help pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trainable. Learn Additional Here take their jobs very seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are allowed to shine. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is essential to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that will aid your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family and need to be socialized at an early age to lessen their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if they are not properly controlled by regular positive socialization.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a car or pedestrians walking on the path or in the park. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will learn that interaction with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they view new experiences - often throughout their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new people and situations as early as is possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility for continuing the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and objects.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of the particular thing for life. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing them when they're scared. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by taking note of some items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them to calm down and focus on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés, or shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe will help them adjust to the world around them after they have grown.
Drive in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars, so if you can get them used to driving at an early age, it will simplify your road trips.
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult and can be a great way to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. It should be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For example running, jumping, and a lot of play can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.
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 drive than other breeds. They were born to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job in hand.
Because they were bred to work, they are quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they are excellent service dogs, aiding police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to pup but is usually between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with white belly and chest.