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 a lot during the summer and spring. Regularly brushing using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds may have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause an unsteady drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters and can advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog should undergo regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected area. They should not run especially near bikes or joggers, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a couple of hours of exercise each day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives you and your veterinarian peace of mind and lets you focus solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart quick learners and extremely adept at training. 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 dedication to work are allowed to shine. But, like any breed they require a lot of and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of security and alertness.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is essential to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and grasp new commands easily. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that will help your GSD remain focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and dispositions.

GSDs are often cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to be socialized at an early age to limit their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled by regular positive socialization.

For example some GSDs be aggressive or bark at a vehicle passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. In turn they will discover that being around other humans and Schäferhund kaufen öSterreich animals is enjoyable and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that affect how they perceive new experiences - often for the rest of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.

After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process and developing your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.

The most important thing is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened, they may associate the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect them from the common mistake of trying to soothe or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as rewarding their fearful behaviour 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 some ideas to help you get started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on you while another dog is around. This will help them become a calm, schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz relaxed family dog when they are older.

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, or shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the training in settle you have been doing and also introduce them new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the outside world when they are fully grown.

Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving early on, it can make your road trips more enjoyable.

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich hairdressers or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult, and could be a great opportunity to practice retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. However, it is important to be balanced as excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. Jumping, running, schäferhund kaufen [Info] and lots of play for instance, could stress the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd livestock. They will possess a strong urge to herd and will be eager to finish the job.

They are highly trainable and quick learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will act quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and 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 needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and the chance to 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 breed will have a thick straight, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to another, deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich but will be usually between 4-6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with the chest and belly being white.