How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are great family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their pups, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disorder that causes a drunken gait. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters and can advance to weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgery.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. schäferhund kaufen should undergo regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. They should avoid running especially close to a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise every day to stay fit. Pet insurance can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of security and alertness.
Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed and will form bonds with their principal handler. It is important to start training your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he will grow to be a good behaved companion.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn quickly. However, their intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and diminish any destructive behaviors that might arise due to their natural inclinations and instincts.
GSDs are usually beware of people outside of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from an early age to limit their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting that can become exaggerated if not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the path or in parks. While this can be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to get along with. They will learn that interacting with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. In this period, they learn about their environment and make connections that affect the way they see new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and experiences.
It is crucial to share these experiences with them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel scared or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with being afraid and may then be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour - an easy way to cause the habit of having phobias for life.
Start by checking off a few items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to help you get 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 the dog that is close by. This will help them become an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.
Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a cake and coffee date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and also introduce them new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can help them accept the world around them once they're fully grown.
Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in vehicles, so if you can get them used to driving at an early age, it will simplify your road trips.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. schäferhund kaufen österreich will help them get comfortable in these settings as adults and can be a good opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For instance running, jumping, and playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems later on in life.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were developed to manage livestock. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job.
Because they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly trainable. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile locations.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the hair will vary from dog to dog but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.