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How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are wonderful family pets and are also great working dogs.

German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot in the spring and summer. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake reduces shed and keep the coat clean and healthy.

Health

German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, however they have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will test their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are frequent problems for large dog breeds. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders and food sensitivities or allergies.

Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak drunken-like gait caused by spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, causing nerves to be pinched that transmit signals to the dog's hind legs. Symptoms start with instability of the hindquarters and can develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which may involve medications, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery, are available to ensure that your dog lives longer and live more comfortably.

Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular ocular examinations by your veterinarian.

German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can examine your puppy's heart using an stethoscope in his annual physical examination.

Puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe, enclosed area. It is best to avoid running close to bicycle or jogger because it can cause damage to their ligaments and bones as they grow. Depending on their energy level, adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd because it will to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries. It also gives peace of mind to you and your veterinarian, which allows you to concentrate on providing the highest quality treatment for your dog.

Training

German Shepherds are smart, fast learners, and extremely capable of being trained. They take their jobs seriously - as guard dogs as police officers, service animals and so much more. They thrive when they have a outlet for their energy, intelligence and work ethic. These pups, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain an affable, obedient manner and increased alertness.

The whole family should be involved in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very family-oriented breed that will develop bonds with their primary handler. It is important to start training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a well-mannered companion in adulthood.

German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and master new commands easily. However, their high level of intelligence can also result in stubbornness if not properly directed. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and reduce any destructive behavior that might arise due to their natural instincts and tendencies.

GSDs are typically cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family and need to be socialized from an early age to lessen their risk of aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive, which can be exaggerated if not properly managed by regular positive socialization.

GSDs may be agitated or bark in response to a car or other people walking along the path or in a park. While this can be a problem for some, 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 get along with. As a result, they will learn that being around humans and animals is fun and not dangerous or scary.

Socialization

German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window, during which they learn about the world and make connections that affect how they view new experiences - often throughout their lives. It is crucial to expose them to new situations and people as quickly as possible.

Your breeder should have initiated this process for you, but when you bring your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process, gaining your puppy's confidence to interact with new things and people.

The key is to expose them to these experiences in a safe and controlled environment, where they can develop their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will associate the experience with being afraid and may then be fearful of that particular thing for the rest of their lives. You also need to protect from the common blunders of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior - an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.

Start by ticking a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to get you 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 in the vicinity. This will help them become a calm and relaxed family dog as they grow older.

Find dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or even shops to take your puppy out on a coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce your puppy to new sounds, sights scents, textures, and smells. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the outside world after they have grown.

Drive in a car - German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in vehicles, so getting them used to driving in the car early can make your road trips much easier!

Take a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization list by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or a garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and could be a good occasion to practice recall games.

Exercise

Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a healthy diet. However, it is important to be managed with care as over exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of young puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot, for example, can put strain on the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues later on in life.

The level of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it needs. As a breed that works, the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were designed to help herd animals. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and will be eager to complete the task.

Since they were bred to work and learn quickly, they are fast learners and are highly capable of training. They are also instinctual guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and can respond quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make excellent service dogs, aiding police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile locations.

An effective method to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he requires is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to 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 prove useful later on.

A properly 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 coat can differ from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup but the majority of German Shepherds sport a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.