How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a very popular breed in America. They are wonderful 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 an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Breeders with a good reputation test their dogs for genetic diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include digestive disorders, bloat, and food sensitivities or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. It happens when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck, causing pinching of the nerves that send signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with instabilities of the hindquarters and can progress to paralysis incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise, and surgery.

German Shepherds are susceptible to glaucoma or Pannus. This is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can cause blindness if it is not treated appropriately. These conditions will require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other diseases. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is required. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the annual physical examination.

Puppies and adolescents German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be achieved by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should avoid running especially close to a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Based on their level of energy, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise a day to stay fit. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will provide veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance provides you and your vet peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and work ethic is given a outlet. But, like any breed they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their heightened sense of security and alertness.

The entire family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the primary handler. It is essential to begin training your puppy as soon as you can so that he will grow up to be a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and pick them up quickly. Their intelligence can lead to stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program that can assist your GSD remain focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors because of their natural instincts and dispositions.

GSDs can be wary of people who aren't part of their immediate family. They must be socialized early to limit the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a passing vehicle or other people walking along the path or in the park. Although this could be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior and Blaue SchäFerhunde (Git.Attnserver.Com) should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to get along with. In turn they will be taught that being around other humans and animals is fun and not a danger.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. In this period they get to know their world and develop connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last for the remainder 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, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen - http://git.eyesee8.com - it's your responsibility to continue the process and developing your pup's self-confidence to meet new people and experiences.

The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build their confidence and Altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen (just click the following web site) not feel intimidated or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being scared and could be fearful of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You should also protect them from making the error of encouraging or calming them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and could cause a lifetime of phobia.

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

This isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to be calm and focus on you when a dog is around. This helps them to be an empathetic, calm family dog when they are older.

Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, or shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great way to reinforce your settle-training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will help them adjust to the world around them once they are grown.

Take in a car. German Shepherds aren't exactly comfortable in cars and, therefore, if you get them used to driving at an early age it can simplify your road trips.

Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser or vet centre. This will allow your puppy to get comfortable in these settings as an adult, and could be a great time to play retrieval games.

Exercise

In addition to a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. But, this should be managed with care as over exercise can harm the skeletal structure of puppies. For example, jumping, running and playing a lot can put strain on a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can lead to problems as an adult.

Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were designed to manage livestock. This means they have an instinct for herding and an eagerness to do the job at hand.

Because they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and are highly capable of being trained. They are also natural guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and can quickly react to protect their loved ones. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places.

Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him basic commands that will come in handy in the future.

A German Shepherd that is properly breed will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be harsh in some areas but soft in others. The length of the coat can differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color will also differ from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with white belly and chest.