How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds in America. They make great working dogs and family pets.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to avoid passing on hereditary diseases to their pups such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are many treatments available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises and surgery.
German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fats balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the lungs and heart of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure protected area. They should not run, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd as it will help provide veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, which allows you to concentrate on providing the best possible care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and extremely trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are given a outlet. But, like any breed, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor and their increased sense of alertness and protection.
The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. mouse click the next webpage is a very familial breed that forms bonds with their main handler. It is important to begin training your puppy as early as you can so that he will grow up to be a well behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands with ease. Their high intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. Intensive 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 help reduce any destructive behavior that might arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are prone to be wary of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They require socialization early to limit the potential for aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized when they aren't properly socialized.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the path or in a park. While this might be a cause for concern to some, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn, they will learn that being around other people as well as animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that affect how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.
Your breeder should have begun this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and things.
The most important thing is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure, controlled environment where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel scared they might associate the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause a lifetime of phobias.
Start by taking note of the items on your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you even when another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm and peaceful family dog as they grow older.
Find dog-friendly restaurants, cafés or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sights and sounds as well as smells and textures. This will allow them to accept the world around them once they are grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving from a young age, it can make your road trips easier.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy become comfortable in these environments 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 healthy diet. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example, jumping, running and playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can cause issues when they become adults.
The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than other breeds. They were born to herd animals. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and will be eager to complete the task.
They are highly trainable and quick learners due to their breeding for work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will react 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 prominent locations.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and also the chance to interact with other dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior puppy and teach him basic commands.
A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to the next but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with a white chest and belly.