How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They make great pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and help keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hind quarters and develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and surgical procedures.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the annual physical exam.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them for multiple walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in an area that is safe and secure. They should not run especially close to the bicycle or jogger as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs seriously - as guard dogs police officers, service animals, and much more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence, and work ethic. Like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
The entire family should participate 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 training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn them quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD remain focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are usually beware of people outside of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to limit their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting, which can be exaggerated when not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
For instance some GSDs be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. In turn, they will learn that being around other humans as well as animals is fun and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and make connections that affect how they perceive new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as early on as possible.
Your breeder should have initiated this for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new things and people.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or scared, they'll think of the experience as being scared and could be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging or calming them when they're afraid. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
Start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and focus on the dog that is close by. 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 on a coffee date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the world around them once they are grown.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in cars, so getting them used to driving in a car early on can make your road trips much simpler!
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings as an adult and could be a great opportunity to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be balanced as excessive exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz , jumping, running and a lot of play can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were born to help herd animals. This means they have a strong herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.
Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely trainable. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen sense of danger and will respond quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding the police in drug sniffing and aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to be social with dogs. It is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will come in handy in the future.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is rough in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another, but will be usually between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.