How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They make great pets for families and working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds may have a few health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders test their dogs for genetic diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one such disease that causes a drunken gait. This occurs when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgery.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. This is an autoimmune corneal condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other diseases. A healthy diet rich in omega fats, balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can examine the heart of your puppy using a stethoscope as part of his annual physical examination.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, deutsche Schäferhunde welpen kaufen öSterreich like numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected space. They should not run especially close to bikes or joggers, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise each day to keep their fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind to both you and your veterinarian, allowing you to focus on providing the best possible treatment for was kostet Ein reinrassiger schäferhund your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs police officers, service animals and many more. They thrive when given a place to exercise for their intelligence, energy, and work ethic. Like all breeds, require continuous and deutsche Schäferhunde Welpen kaufen österreich extensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and heightened alertness.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve all members of the family. This breed is very sociable and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is important to start training your puppy as early as you can so that he can grow into a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and grasp new commands with ease. Their intelligence can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that might result from their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs are often wary of people outside their immediate family. They require to be socialized at an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to prey drive and hunting that can become exaggerated if not properly managed with regular positive socialization.

For example, many GSDs will bark or was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. Although this could be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. As a result they will be taught that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time they are exposed to their world and develop connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. So, it is important to expose them to new people and situations as early on as possible.

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

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will think of the experience as being scared and schäferhund baby kaufen could be afraid of the specific thing 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 a reward for their fearful behavior - which is a sure way to trigger an entire life of phobias.

Start by taking note of the items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

This isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them to be calm and focus on you when a dog is nearby. This will aid them in becoming a calm and peaceful pet as they get older.

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and introduce them to new sights as well as sounds, smells, and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the outside world when they reach the age of.

Drive a car. German Shepherds aren't generally at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you make them comfortable driving from a young age it will make your road trips easier.

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

Exercise

Alongside a balanced diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be managed with care as over exercise can harm the bones of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues when they become adults.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. This is because they were designed to herd livestock. As such, they will have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job at hand.

They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred to work. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and will act quickly to protect their loved ones. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue and providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.

One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to meet other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful later on.

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