How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great pets for families and as working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders with good reputations will check their dogs for health issues to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, which pinches the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. Treatments, which could include rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery, are available to aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.

Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to suffer from heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical exam.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure and secure space. It is best to avoid running, particularly beside bikes or joggers as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets can be an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus only on the health of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly trained. They take their jobs very serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are allowed to shine. These pups, like all breeds, require ongoing and extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and to be alert.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve all members of the family. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the main handler. It is important to start training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he grows to be a good behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if they are not properly controlled. In- deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that might arise as a result of their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs may be apprehensive of people who are not members of their immediate family. They need to socialized early to limit the potential for aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to prey drive and hunting, which can be exaggerated if not properly managed by regular positive socialization.

For instance there are many GSDs who engage in a barking or snarling attack on the vehicle that is passing by, or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem for certain but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to play with. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that shape how they see new experiences - often for the rest of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.


The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can build their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience as being scared and become fearful for life. You must also prevent from the pitfalls of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behaviour and create a lifetime phobia.

Start by taking note of some items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some ideas to get you started:

This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when another dog is around. This will help them become a calm and relaxed pet as they get older.

Look for places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and also introduce them new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the outside world when they reach the age of.

Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in vehicles, so if you can make them comfortable driving early on, it can make your road trips easier.

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to become comfortable in these environments as an adult and could be a great time to play retrieval games.

Exercise

Alongside a balanced diet Alongside 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 cause damage to the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues as an adult.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. They were designed to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding for work. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they are excellent service dogs, helping police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other prominent locations.

Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. 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 white chest.