How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed, and keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will check their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dogs. 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. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and even surgery.

German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. They require a balanced diet that promotes the health of their heart with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine the heart of your puppy using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical exam.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. It is best to avoid running close to bicycle or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Adult German Shepherds should exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd as it will help provide veterinary care for belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich unexpected illnesses and belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen öSterreich injuries. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and highly trainable. They take their work serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is allowed to shine. But, as with all breeds dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and continuous training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of security and altdeutscher reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter schäferhunde kaufen - learn more about Holoo, alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should involve the entire family. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form bonds with their principal handler. It is important to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he will grow up to be a well behaved companion.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and learn them quickly. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program that can aid your GSD remain focused on their task and reduce destructive behavior due to their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs can be wary of those who aren't part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age so that they can reduce the potential for aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting that can become exaggerated if not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

GSDs can bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or other people walking along 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 teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that shape how they see new experiences, often throughout their lives. It is important to introduce them to new surroundings and people as quickly as possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your puppy's confidence to interact with new things and people.

It is crucial to present these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour - an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.

Start by taking note of some items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

It's not just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you when another dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants, or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will assist them adjust to the world outside after they have grown.

Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in cars and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving from a young age, it will simplify your road trips.

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

Exercise

In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be balanced as excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running, and lots of play, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This may lead to problems as they grow older.

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they need. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were developed to herd livestock. This means they have an instinct for herding and an eagerness to do the job in hand.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to work. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and can quickly react to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding the police in drug sniffing as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile locations.

One way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to socialize with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to another but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.