How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed 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 summer and spring. Brushing frequently using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Reputable breeders test their dogs for genetic diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems with large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive issues.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. This occurs when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hind quarters and develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog should undergo regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and a blend that supports heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should avoid running, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help pay for veterinary care for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and dedication to work are given a outlet. But, like any breed they require a lot of and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor and their increased sense of alertness and protection.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve the entire family. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form bonds with their main handler. It is important to start training as soon as you can to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn them quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and help reduce any destructive behavior that could arise due to their natural inclinations and instincts.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family. They need to be socialized at a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also tend to prey-drive and hunting, which can be overemphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or other people walking along the road or in a park. Although this could be a problem for certain people, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. In this period, they learn about their environment and make connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This could last for the duration of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as possible.
Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and things.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can build trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might interpret the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is which is a sure way to trigger the habit of having phobias for life.
You can start by ticking a few things off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you when a dog is nearby. This will help them become an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.
Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy out for a coffee and cake date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will help them adjust to the outside world after they have grown.
Take in reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter . German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in vehicles, so if you can get them used to driving at an early age it will simplify your road trips.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult and could be a great opportunity to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can harm the bones of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can lead to problems as an adult.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen are predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is because they were developed to help herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong desire to herd and will be eager to finish the job.
They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to work. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.
altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage 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 others. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to the next but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.