How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. schäferhunde kaufen who are reputable will test their dogs for genetic diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hind quarters and progress to weakness as well as paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgical procedures.
deutscher schäferhund pflege that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A healthy diet rich in omega fats, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies within a safe, enclosed space. It is best to avoid running, particularly beside bikes or joggers, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise a day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners, and highly trainable. They take their work seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and dedication to work are allowed to shine. They, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened alertness.
The entire family should participate in the training of a German shepherd. This breed is very family-oriented and will develop a strong bond with its primary handler. It is crucial to start training your puppy as early as you can to ensure that he can grow into a well and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and learn quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized at an early age to limit the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
GSDs may engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or people walking on the road or in parks. While this might be a problem to some, it is an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. As a result, they will learn that being around humans and animals is fun and not a danger.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period, during which they learn about the world around them and make connections that shape how they perceive new experiences, often throughout their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, however when you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to carry on the process, gaining your puppy's confidence in meeting new people and things.
It is crucial to share these experiences with them in a safe, controlled environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is also important to shield them from the common mistake of trying to soothe, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior and a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.
You can begin by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a cake and coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will assist them adjust to the world around them after they have grown.
Use a car. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in cars So if you can get them comfortable with driving at an early age, it will simplify your road trips.
Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will help them get comfortable in these places as they grow older and is a an excellent chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. It is important to do this in moderation, as excessive exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example running, jumping and playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to manage livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and are eager to complete the task.
They are highly trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will be useful in the future.
A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the coat may differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color can also differ from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat that has a white chest.