How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are wonderful family pets and are also great working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds have some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with good reputations will check their dogs for health issues to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their pups, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological disorders 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, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with instabilities of the hindquarters and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.

Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, such as multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. It is best to avoid running, especially next to a bicycle or jogger because it can cause damage to their ligaments and bones that are growing. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds need a few hours of exercise every day to keep their 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 to both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They take their jobs very 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. Like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and increased alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve all members of the family. This is a very familial breed that will develop an enduring bond with the principal handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and grasp new commands easily. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly controlled. In-depth 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 reduce any destructive behavior that may arise as a result of their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They require to be socialized at a young age to reduce their potential for aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized when they aren't properly socialized.

GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a vehicle passing by or other people walking along a path or through the park. Although this could be a problem for some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result, they will learn that being around other humans and animals is enjoyable and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window that allows them to learn about the world and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.

Once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and objects.

The key is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can build confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You must also prevent them from making the mistake of encouraging, encouraging or soothing them when they're afraid. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.

You can start by ticking a few things off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

This isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them to calm down and concentrate on you even when another dog is around. This helps them be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.

Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sights and deutscher schäferhund pflege reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen schwarz deutsche schäferhunde kaufen [made a post] sounds as well as smells and textures. This will help them to be more comfortable with the world outside after they have grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them used to being in a car in the beginning can make your road trips more enjoyable!

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

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the bones of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing for a long time can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues as an adult.

The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than some other breeds. This is because they were designed to manage livestock. This means they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile places.

One method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will come in handy later on.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to the next, but will be usually between 4-6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with white belly and chest.