How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are among 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 summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing often with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding, and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities, or allergies.

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence, Deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medications and rehabilitation exercises, and even surgery.

Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

As with other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. They'll require a nutritious diet that supports heart health by providing a mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure space. They should avoid running in close proximity to cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus solely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely trainable. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen service animals, and much more - and thrive when given an outlet for their energy, intelligence and work ethic. Like all breeds, require continual and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and increased alertness.

Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should include the entire family. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight bond with its primary handler. It is essential to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Their intelligence is high and can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program that will assist your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs are often cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They require to be socialized from an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated when not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

For instance there are many GSDs who engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this might be a problem to certain people, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. As a result, they will learn that being around other humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. During this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your pup's confidence to meet new people and experiences.

The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might associate the experience as being scared and become fearful for life. You must also prevent them from making the mistake of encouraging or calming them when they're afraid. This could be seen as rewarding behavior that is fearful and create a lifetime phobia.

Start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you going:

Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and focus on you when a dog is around. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.

Look for dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and bring your pup for a cake and coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and also introduce them to new sights, deutscher schäFerhund zu Verkaufen sounds, smells and textures that can help them accept the world around them once they're fully grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in cars and so getting them used to driving in a car in the beginning can make your road trips simpler!

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will help them get comfortable in these settings as adults and could be an excellent opportunity to work on recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. This must be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can harm the bones of puppies. Jumping, running and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund pflege schäferhund, Http://app.xaraonline.com, playing for a long time for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems as they grow older.

The drive level of your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than some other breeds. This is because they were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a keenness to perform the job at hand.

They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred to work. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

An effective method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your dog and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, clear, and SchäFerhund Welpe Kaufen straight coat. The fur can be harsh in some areas but soft in other. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but is usually between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have dark brown or black coat that has a white chest.