How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are excellent pets for the family and are great as a working dog.
king shepherd kaufen www.entzückendescäferhundwelpen.de have thick double coats that shed heavily during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes a sluggish drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It is caused by a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or surgery can be found to aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.
German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. They require a balanced diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart using an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.
Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, including frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected space. They should avoid running, particularly beside a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds must be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is an excellent investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Insurance for pets gives both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely capable of being trained. They take their job seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and drive are provided with a means to express it. But, as with all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to keep their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.
The entire family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. This breed is very sociable and will form a tight bond with its primary handler. It is essential to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn new commands and can learn them quickly. Their intelligence is high and can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly directed. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise due to their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be cautious of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They need to socialized at a young age to limit the possibility of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized when they aren't appropriately socialized.
For instance some GSDs bark or lunge at vehicles passing by or people on a trail or walking through the park. While this might be a cause for concern to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and other people around. They will learn that interaction with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period, during which they learn about the world and form connections that influence how they perceive new experiences - usually for the rest of their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as you can.
Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but once you have brought your puppy home it is your responsibility to continue the process, gaining your pup's confidence to meet new things and people.
The key is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened, they may associate the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. Also, you must protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and a sure way to create the habit of having phobias for life.
Begin by completing some items from your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
This isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's about teaching them to relax and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become an empathetic, calm pet when they get older.
Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a fantastic opportunity 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 outside once they're fully grown.
Use in a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars, so if you can make them comfortable driving from a young age, it will simplify your road trips.
Take a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization activities by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdresser or a garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these settings as adults and can be an excellent occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
Alongside a balanced diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It is important to do this in moderation, since excessive exercise can damage the bones of puppies. For example, jumping, running and a lot of play can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues when they become adults.
The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. German Shepherds are predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to help herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and are determined to finish the task.
Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and will react quickly to protect their loved ones. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police with drug sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
A good method 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 be social with dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage 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 harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but it will usually be between 4-6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.