How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most well-known breeds in America. They are great family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and help keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with good reputations will test their dogs to prevent passing on hereditary diseases to their puppies such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. german shepherd kaufen are frequent problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. Treatments, which may involve rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery can be found to help your dog live longer and live more comfortably.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if not managed properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with a veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as an array of foods that support heart health is required. Your veterinarian can evaluate your puppy's heart and lungs using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them on numerous walks, and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an area that is safe and secure. It is best to avoid running especially near the bicycle or jogger as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in your German Shepherd's well-being as it will help to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs seriously 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 continual and intense training to keep an affable, obedient manner and heightened alertness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the principal handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and pick them up quickly. Their intelligence is high and can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can help your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce destructive behavior 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 limit their potential for 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.
GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a car or pedestrians walking on the road or in the park. While this may be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior and should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to play with. In turn they will be taught that being around other humans and animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window in which they are exposed to about the world and make connections that shape how they perceive new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. It is essential to expose them to new environments and people as soon as you can.
Once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility for continuing the process and building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and objects.
It is essential to share these experiences with them in a safe, controlled environment that makes them feel comfortable and not threatened. If they feel threatened or scared, they'll think of the experience as being afraid and may then be afraid of that particular thing for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared since this could be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour which is which is a sure way to trigger a lifetime of phobias.
You can begin by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy playing around with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you even when another dog is around. This helps them be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them accept the outside world when they are fully grown.
Use in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't known for being comfortable in vehicles So if you can get them comfortable with driving early on, it can simplify your road trips.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or the garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these places as adults and can be an excellent occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For instance running, jumping and playing a lot can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems when they become adults.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. As a working breed, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were designed to herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong desire to herd and be eager to finish the job.
Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They are also instinctive guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security and aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile places.
An effective way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and allow him to be social with dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will prove useful in the future.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick, straight, and clear coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in other. The length of the coat can vary from dog to pup but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The color can also differ from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.