How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great for pets for the family and are great as a working dog.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can reduce shedding and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they do have a few health issues. Reputable breeders will test their dogs to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies like elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, which pinches the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters and can advance to weakness, paralysis, Schäferhundwelpen kaufen incontinence, and loss of movement. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication and rehabilitation exercises and surgical procedures.

German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or schäferhund kaufen österreich Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. They require a balanced diet that is supportive of heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs by using a stethoscope during the annual physical exam.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Depending on their energy level adult German Shepherds require a couple of hours of exercise a day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance gives you and your veterinarian peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trainable. They take their jobs seriously as guard dogs, police officers, service animals, and so much more. They thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence and dedication to work. These pups, like all breeds, require continuous and intensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and heightened alertness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and grasp new commands easily. Their intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program that will aid your GSD stay focused on the task and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and Deutscher SchäFerhund welpen kaufen inclinations.

GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized in the absence of being properly socialized.

GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a car or other people walking along a path or through parks. While this may be a problem for Schäferhund kaufen österreich certain but it's actually a normal behavior and should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and humans is not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time they get to know their world and develop connections that affect how they view new experiences. This can last the duration of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new environments and people as early on as possible.

After you have brought your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.

The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and schäferhund kaufen welpe not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid they might associate the experience with being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the mistake of encouraging, encouraging or soothing those who are scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.

Begin by completing some items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are a few ideas 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 how to calm down and pay attention to you when a dog is around. This will help them become an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.

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

Take a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars So if you can get them used to driving early on it can simplify your road trips.

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and could be a good occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. However, it is important to be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For instance running, jumping and a lot of play can strain the joints of a puppy's growing ligaments. This can lead to problems when they become adults.

The puppy's natural 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 developed to help herd livestock. This means they have an innate herding instinct and an eagerness to do the job in hand.

Because they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and highly capable of training. They are also naturally 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 in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue and 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 let him interact with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him basic commands that will prove useful later on.

A German Shepherd that is properly bred will have a dense, straight, and clear coat. The fur can be rough in certain areas but soft in others. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to the next, 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 a white chest and belly.