How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are excellent working dogs and family pets.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

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

Hereditary neurological diseases may affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a sluggish, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in 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 progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises and even surgery.

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

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and blaue schäferhunde [valetinowiki.Racing] other diseases. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess the lungs and heart of your puppy with a stethoscope during his annual physical exam.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should not run, especially next to a cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise every day to stay fit. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd 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, allowing you to focus on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trainable. They take their work seriously, Deutscher SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is allowed to shine. They, like all breeds, require continuous 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 is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the main handler. It is essential to begin training as early as you can so that your puppy can be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can pick them up quickly. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly directed. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can help your GSD remain focused on the task at hand, and reduce any destructive behavior that might arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey drive and hunting which can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with regular positive socialization.

For example there are many GSDs who bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. In turn they will discover that being around other people and animals is enjoyable and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period that allows them to learn about the world around them and deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen öSterreich make connections that influence how they see new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new situations and people as soon as possible.

Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process of building your pup's confidence to meet new people and things.

It is important to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid or scared, they'll be able to connect the experience with being scared and could be afraid of that particular thing for life. It is also important to shield from the common blunders of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.

Start by checking off the items on your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some ideas to get you started:

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

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is a great chance to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that will help them to accept the world around them when they are fully grown.

Drive in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being at ease in vehicles and, therefore, if you get them used to driving early on, it can simplify your road trips.

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 time to work on retrieval games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a balanced diet. It should be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. For deutsche schäferhunde Welpen kaufen österreich example running, deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich jumping, and playing a lot can put strain on the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This could cause problems in adulthood.

Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine how much energy and exercise they require. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have an instinct for herding and a desire to complete the job.

They are highly trainable and fast learners because they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.

Inscribing your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to interact with other dogs. This is a great way to encourage good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.

A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be rough in certain areas but soft in other. The length of the hair may vary from dog to dog, but will be 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 black or dark brown coat with a white chest.