How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed 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 heavily in the spring and summer. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and helps keep the coat looking clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they do have some health concerns. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive issues.
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 in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hind quarters and develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medications, rehabilitation exercises or Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich surgery can be found to aid your dog to live longer and live more comfortably.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other illnesses. They'll require a nutritious diet that promotes the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected space. They should not run in close proximity to jogger, or a bicycle because it can cause damage to their ligaments and bones that are growing. Adult German Shepherds must exercise for a short period of time each day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets can be an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and schäFerhundwelpen highly adept at training. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and many more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. These pups, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and heightened alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands with ease. Nevertheless, their high ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs can be cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at an early age in order to reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and Schäferhund Baby Kaufen hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
For example some GSDs be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to get along with. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. During this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last for the duration of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.
Your breeder should have initiated this for you, but once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people.
It is essential to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel scared they might associate the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield from the common blunders of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause 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 started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and pay attention to you while another dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés, or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will allow them adjust to the world outside when they reach the age of.
Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in vehicles, so if you can make them comfortable driving early on it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings 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 healthy diet. It should be done in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. For example running, jumping, and playing a lot can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues later in life.
The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and be eager to complete the task.
Because they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly trainable. They are also guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile places.
An effective method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to meet other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will be useful later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but it will usually be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have dark brown or black coat with a white chest.