How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are excellent pets for families and as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing often using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed, and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to avoid passing hereditary diseases to their pups such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The signs start 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 ensure that your dog lives longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated properly. These conditions will require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the lungs and heart of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the yearly physical exam.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running close to cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the best possible care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, service animals and so much more. They thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds they require a lot 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 that should involve the entire family. This breed is very sociable and will form a close connection with its handler. It is crucial to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he grows to be a good behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. Their intelligence is high and can lead to stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are often beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized at an early age to limit their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with regular positive socialization.
For instance, many GSDs will engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this may be a cause for concern to some, it is an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn, they will learn that being around other people and animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. During this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This can last for the duration of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new environments and people as quickly as you can.
Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
It is essential to present these experiences to them in a safe, controlled environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will think of the experience as fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.
Start by checking off some items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some ideas to get you started:
This isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when a dog is around. This helps them to be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.
Seek out pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will help them to accept the outside world when they reach the age of.
Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in cars and, therefore, if you make them comfortable driving from a young age it will make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow them to become at ease in these environments as adults and could be an excellent chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can harm the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for instance, could stress the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues in adulthood.
The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. They were bred to help herd animals. This means they have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.
They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred for work. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing, security and search and rescue.
Participating with 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 let him interact with other dogs. This is a great method to encourage good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich may be hard in some places but soft in others. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog 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 dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.