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 shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing often with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake can reduce shedding, and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds may have some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation check their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, which pinches the nerves that send signals to your dog’s hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. There are reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe of treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can cause blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that promotes the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical examination.

Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on numerous walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. They should avoid running close to bicycle or jogger, as this can damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise for a short period of time each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in your German Shepherd’s well-being because it will pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also gives peace of mind for you and your veterinarian which allows you to concentrate on providing the best treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They take their job seriously, whether they’re guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are allowed to shine. But, like any breed they require a lot of and continuous training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protectiveness.

Training a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can, so your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and pick up new commands with ease. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite’s Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that may result from their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs can be wary of people who aren’t members of their immediate family. They must be socialized early in order to reduce the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if not properly managed by regular positive socialization.

GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a vehicle passing by or pedestrians walking on the road or in parks. While this might be a problem for some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. In turn, they will learn that being around other people and animals is fun and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window, during which they learn about the world around them and make connections that influence how they perceive new experiences – usually for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it’s important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.

Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and developing your pup’s self-confidence to meet new people and things.

It is essential to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience with fear and become fearful for life. You must also prevent them from making the mistake of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they’re afraid. This could be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and create a lifetime phobia.

Start by checking off the items from your GSD puppy’s list of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you 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 concentrate on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm pet, even when they’re older.

Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a cake and coffee date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will assist them to be more comfortable with the outside world when they reach the age of.

Driving in a car German Shepherds aren’t renowned for their comfort in cars and so getting them familiar with a car early on can make your road trips much easier!

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow your puppy to 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, this must be managed with care as over exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play for example, can put strain on the growing puppy’s joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.

Your puppy’s inherent drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than some other breeds. They were designed to herd animals. Therefore, they have an innate herding instinct and a desire to complete the job at hand.

They are extremely trainable and quick learners because they were bred to work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, helping police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue and providing security at banks and other prominent locations.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great method to keep your dog in good behavior dog and teach him basic commands.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to the next however, it will usually be between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat with a white chest.