How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great working dogs and German Shepherd reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen (Is.Uniag.Sk) family pets.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the spring and summer. Regularly brushing using a deshedding rake or undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Breeders with a good reputation test their dogs for genetic diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs begin with a shaky appearance of the hind quarters and develop into weakness and deutsche schäferhunde Kaufen paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.

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

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that promotes the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed area. It is best to avoid running especially close to bikes or joggers as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will require a bit of exercise a day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd as it will help pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also gives peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best care for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners and extremely capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work - as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and many more - and thrive when given an outlet for their intelligence, energy and work ethic. They, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and to be alert.

Training a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms bonds with their primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as early as possible, so your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can pick them up quickly. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand, and help reduce any destructive behavior that could arise due to their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs are prone to be wary of people who are not part of their immediate family. They need to socialized early to limit the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone towards prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized in the absence of being properly socialized.

For instance some GSDs engage in a barking or snarling attack on a vehicle passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this might be a problem for some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It will teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result they will be taught that being around other humans and animals is fun and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world and form connections that shape how they perceive new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new surroundings and people as soon as possible.

Once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility for continuing the process and developing your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and experiences.

The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can build their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened or scared, schäferhunde Kaufen they'll associate the experience with fear and will eventually be afraid of that particular thing for life. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging to encourage or comfort them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.

Start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on you while another dog is in the vicinity. This helps them be a calm, relaxed family dog when they are older.

Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been doing and introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them accept the world around them when they are fully grown.

Use a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars So if you can make them comfortable driving at an early age, it will make your road trips easier.

Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these settings as adults and could be an ideal occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.

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. This is due to the fact that they were bred to herd livestock. They will have a strong instinct to herd and will be eager to complete the task.

Since they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also naturally guard dogs with an acute sense of danger and will act quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations.

One method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to socialize with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.

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