How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Brushing often with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed, and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with a few health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their pups such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the 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 medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgery.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other diseases. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart of your puppy using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund is best to avoid running, particularly beside a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a couple of hours of exercise each day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a great investment in your German Shepherd's well-being, since it can help pay for veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Pet insurance provides you and your veterinarian peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and extremely trained. They take their work seriously, 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. They, like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and increased alertness.
The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very sociable and will form a close bond with its primary handler. It is important to start training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are often beware of people outside of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to limit their potential for aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being well-socialized.
For instance some GSDs be aggressive or bark at vehicles 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 as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to get along with. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. In this period, they learn about their world and form connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last for the duration of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.
Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and objects.
It is important to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll think of the experience as fear and will eventually be fearful of that particular thing for life. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is a sure way to create a lifetime of phobias.
You can start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
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 when another dog is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.
Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the world around them when they reach the age of.
Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much simpler!
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments as an adult and can be a great time to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. This must be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and playing for a long time can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. 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. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than some other breeds. This is because they were bred to help herd livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job at hand.
Because they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will respond quickly to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing security, search and rescue.
Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he requires. This will provide him with mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.