How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They make great pets for the family and are great as a working dog.

German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and helps keep the coat looking healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders who are reputable will screen their dogs to prevent passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive issues and food sensitivities or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching nerves that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instabilities and can progress to paralysis incontinence and loss of mobility. Treatments, which may involve medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can be found to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably.

German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or deutscher einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen Schweiz (http://segolo.com) Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated properly. These conditions require regular eye examinations by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are prone to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. They will need a healthy diet that promotes heart health with a blend of omega fatty acids and schäFerhund kaufen österreich (uaemensclub.com) balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart with an stethoscope in his annual physical exam.

Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure, enclosed space. They should avoid running, especially next to a jogger, or a bicycle as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a bit of exercise a day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will cover any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also provides peace of mind to 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 trainable. They take their jobs seriously - as guard dogs police officers, service animals, and so much more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for their energy, intelligence and dedication to work. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their enhanced sense of alertness and protection.

The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. It is a very family-oriented breed and will form an enduring bond with the main handler. It is important to start training as soon as you can so that your puppy can be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands with ease. Their intelligence is high and can lead to a stubbornness however, if not properly channeled. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and reduce any destructive behavior that could arise as a result of their natural inclinations and instincts.

GSDs are usually beware of people outside of their immediate family. They need to be socialized from 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 become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a car or other people walking along the path or in the park. While this might be a cause for concern to some, it is in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people isn't dangerous or frightening.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a brief socialization period in which they are exposed to about the world around them 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 situations and people as quickly as you can.

Once you bring your puppy home, it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and objects.

It is essential to introduce these experiences to them in a controlled, secure environment that makes them feel at ease and not be afraid. If they feel afraid, they may associate the experience as being scared and be afraid for their entire lives. You must also prevent from the pitfalls of encouraging to encourage or comfort those who are scared. This can be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia.

Start by taking note of the items on your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to get you 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 concentrate on you while another dog is around. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.

Seek out places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and bring your pup for a coffee and cake date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sounds, sights, smells, and textures. This will assist them to accept the world around them once they are grown.

Car driving - German Shepherds are not known for their comfort in vehicles and so getting them familiar with a car in the beginning can make your road trips much simpler!

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet or train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy get comfortable in these settings as an adult and could be a great time to play retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. This must be done in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and a lot of play can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This could cause problems later in life.

The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are prone to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were bred to herd livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job.

Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and are quick to act to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing security, blaue SchäFerhunde search and rescue.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. 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 pup and teach him some basic commands.

A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, straight and dense coat that is rough in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will differ from dog to dog however, it will usually be between 4 to 6 inches. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with the chest and belly being white.