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 in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and helps keep the coat looking clean and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat 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. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. Treatments, which could include rehabilitation exercises, medication or surgery can ensure that your dog lives longer and live more comfortably.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated corneal disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A healthy diet rich in omega fats and balanced vitamins, as well as a mix that promotes the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess the heart of your puppy using the help of a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should not run especially near the bicycle or jogger as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Pet insurance can be an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it can help cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and extremely trainable. They take their job seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is given a outlet. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protectiveness.
The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very familial breed that will develop a strong bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and pick up new commands quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a targeted and intensive puppy training program that can assist your GSD remain focused on the task and reduce destructive behavior as a result their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family. They need to be socialized at an early age to limit their risk of aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also have a tendency to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if not properly managed by regular positive socialization.
GSDs may engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a car or people walking on a path or through parks. Although this could be a problem to some, it is actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will learn that interaction with other animals and humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. Through this time, they learn about their world and form connections that influence the way they perceive new experiences. This can last the duration of their lives. So, it is important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.
Your breeder should have started this process for you, but once you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process of building your pup's confidence to meet new things and people.
It is important to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment where they will feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being scared and could be fearful of that particular thing for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth or encourage them when they're scared because this could be perceived as a reward for their fearful behavior which is which is a sure way to trigger an entire life of phobias.
You can begin by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and focus on you when a dog is close by. This will aid them in becoming an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle-training and introduce them to new sounds, sights as well as smells and textures. This will assist them to accept the world outside when they reach the age of.
Use a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in vehicles and, therefore, if you make them comfortable driving from a young age, it can make your road trips more enjoyable.
Check off a few items from your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or the garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these places as adults and could be an excellent opportunity to work on recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be balanced as excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems later on in life.
Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. visit the next site are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to herd livestock. Therefore, they have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job.
They are extremely trainable and quick learners because they were bred for work. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they will act quickly to protect their family members. This is why they are excellent service dogs, aiding police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue as well as providing security in banks and other high-profile places.
A good way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will provide him with mental stimulation and let him socialize with dogs. It is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy as well as teach him basic commands that will be useful in the future.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is rough in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color can also differ from pup to pup, however, most German Shepherds will have a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.