If You ve Just Purchased Purebred German Shepherd ... Now What
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding rake, or an undercoat rake will reduce the amount of shed and keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation screen their dogs for hereditary diseases, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities, or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the vertebrae within the neck, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to your dog's hind legs. The signs start with hindquarters instabilities and then progress to paralysis, incontinence and decreased mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medication, exercise programs for Deutsche Schäferhundwelpen rehabilitation, and surgical procedures.
German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not treated appropriately. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and dilatable cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that supports heart health with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart with an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, including frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure area. They should not run especially near a jogger or bicycle as they can damage the growth of bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds should be active for a few hours each day, depending on their energy levels. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd because it will pay for veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. It also provides peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent they are quick to learn and extremely adept at training. They take their job serious, whether they're guard dogs police officers, deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen guard dogs or service animals. They thrive when their intelligence, energy and work ethic is given a outlet. Like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an easy, calm demeanor and to be alert.
The whole family should be involved in the training of a German shepherd. This is a very familial breed that forms bonds with their main handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a sociable and well-behaved companion in adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn them quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly directed. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to assist your GSD stay focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs are prone to be wary of those who aren't part of their immediate family. They must be socialized early to limit the potential for aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They also are prone to prey-drive and hunting which can be overemphasized if they are not properly socialized.
For example, many GSDs will engage in a barking or snarling attack on vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this can be a problem for certain, it's actually a very normal behavior that should be encouraged as it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other people and pets to play with. They will learn that interaction with other people and animals isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies have a short time of socialization in which they are exposed to about the world around them and make connections that affect how they perceive new experiences, deutsche schäferhundwelpen; advice here, often throughout their lives. It is important to introduce them to new situations and people as soon as possible.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, but once you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences.
It is important to share these experiences with them in a controlled, secure environment where they will feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid they might associate the experience as being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a way to reward their fearful behavior which is a sure way to create the habit of having phobias for life.
You can start by ticking a few things off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
This isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's about teaching them how to relax and focus on you even when another dog is nearby. This will help them become a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Find dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, deutscher schäferhund kaufen schäferhund welpe Kaufen (pattern-wiki.win) or shops to take your pup on a coffee date! This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sights and sounds scents, textures, and smells. This will allow them to accept the world outside when they reach the age of.
Car driving - German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in cars, so getting them used to being in a car early on can make your road trips much easier!
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or deutsche schäferhundwelpen garden centre. This will allow your puppy to become comfortable in these environments as an adult, and could be a great way to work on retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping, and lots of play for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues later in life.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than some other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were bred to help herd livestock. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job.
They are highly trainable and quick learners since they were bred to be work-oriented. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and are able to act quickly to defend their family members. They are also excellent service dogs who can aid police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.
A good way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him be social with 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 well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, thick and straight coat that is hard in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair will vary from one dog to another but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with a white chest and belly.