How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most well-known breeds in America. They are great for working dogs and family pets.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake can reduce shedding and help keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their pups like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive issues.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and surgical procedures.

Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

As with other large breeds, german shepherd kaufen Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical exam.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an enclosed, safe space. They should not run especially near a jogger or bicycle, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise every day to keep their fitness. Pet insurance can be an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to you and your veterinarian allowing you to focus on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trained. They take their jobs seriously - as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and extensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.

Training for a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve all members of the family. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to begin training your puppy as early as you can so that he grows into a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if they are not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that can assist your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and dispositions.

GSDs may be apprehensive of those who aren't members of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age to limit the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to prey drive and hunting, which can be exaggerated when not properly managed with regular positive socialization.

GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a vehicle passing by or people walking on the path or in the park. While this may be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to interact with. In turn they will discover that being around other people as well as 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 view new experiences, often throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new environments and people as early as is possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.

The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can develop their confidence and deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen schäferhund schäferhundwelpen kaufen schweiz (http://ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/) not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or scared, they'll associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of the particular thing for life. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging, encouraging or soothing them when they're afraid. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and deutscher schäferhund kaufen öSterreich (buch-joseph-6.technetbloggers.de) create a lifetime phobia.

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

Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs, it's also about teaching them to settle down and concentrate on the dog that is around. This will help them become a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.

Look for places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or deutscher Schäferhund kaufen schweiz shops and take your puppy for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle training you've been doing and also introduce them new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them accept the world around them when they are fully grown.

Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in cars, so if you can get them used to driving from a young age it will simplify your road trips.

Take your GSD puppy to a 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

In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For example running, jumping, and playing a lot can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues in adulthood.

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having more drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were designed to manage livestock. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and be eager to finish the job.

Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and are highly trainable. They are also natural guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and are quick to act to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, helping police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.

A good way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and also the chance to socialize with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.

A properly bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from one dog to another, but will be usually between 4 and 6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.