How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are one of the most loved breeds in America. They are great for pets for families and as working dogs.

german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Health

German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Reputable breeders check their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.

Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes an unsteady, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching nerves that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters and can progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. There are many treatments available, including medications as well as rehabilitation programs that include exercise and even surgery.

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

Like other large breeds, German Shepherds may suffer from heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They will need a healthy diet that supports the health of their heart with a blend of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can assess your puppy's heart with a stethoscope as part of his annual physical exam.

Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be done by taking them for multiple walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies within an enclosed, safe space. It is best to avoid running especially near a jogger or bicycle as it can cause damage to the growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their level of energy adult German Shepherds require a couple of hours of exercise every day to maintain fitness. Pet insurance is a good investment in the health of your German Shepherd as it will help pay for veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Insurance for pets gives you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and highly trained. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is provided with a means to express it. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and continuous training to maintain their compliant, friendly demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection.

Training a German Shepherd is a team effort that should include the entire family. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will develop a strong bond with its primary handler. It is essential to begin with your puppy as soon as you can to ensure that he can grow up to be a well behaved pet.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and grasp new commands with ease. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. Intensive 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 might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.

GSDs are typically wary of people outside their immediate family. They need to be socialized from an early age to limit their chances of exhibiting aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to prey drive and hunting which can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with frequent ongoing positive socialization.

GSDs can bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the path or in a park. Although this could be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior and should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to get along with. In turn they will discover that being around other humans as well as animals is fun and not scary or dangerous.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a very short time. During this time, they learn about their environment and make connections that affect the way they see new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. So, it is important to expose them to new environments and people as early on as possible.

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

The most important thing is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment in which they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel scared or frightened, they will associate the experience with being afraid and may then be fearful of that particular thing for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or deutsche schäferhunde welpen Kaufen österreich encourage them when they're scared as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior and a sure way to create an entire life of phobias.

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

This isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to calm down and concentrate on you when another dog is in the vicinity. This will aid them in becoming an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants, or 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 sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will allow them to accept the world outside after they have grown.

Take in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't exactly at ease in cars So if you can make them comfortable driving from a young age, it will make your road trips more enjoyable.

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

Exercise

In addition to a good diet In addition to a healthy diet, your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. It is important to do this in a controlled manner, as too much exercise can cause damage to the structure of the skeletal system of puppies. For instance, jumping, running and playing for a long time can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This may lead to problems as they grow older.

The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it requires. German Shepherds are prone to have a higher degree of drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd animals. They will have a strong desire to herd and be eager to finish the job.

They are highly trainable and quick learners due to their breeding for work. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs that aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.

One method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with dogs. This is also a great chance to promote positive behavior deutsche schäferhunde Welpen kaufen österreich in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy in the future.

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