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AprilSo You've Bought Purebred German Shepherd ... Now What?
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most well-known breeds 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 reduces shed and keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Health
German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few health issues. Breeders with good reputations will screen their dogs to prevent passing hereditary diseases to their puppies such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are frequent problems in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then progress to weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs, or surgery can aid your dog to live longer and live a more comfortable life.
Eye conditions that could affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that can cause blindness if it is not properly managed. Your dog will require regular ocular examinations with your vet to assess these conditions.
Like other large breeds, German Shepherds can be afflicted with heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. A balanced diet that is rich in omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins, as well as an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your puppy's heart and lungs with a stethoscope during his annual physical examination.
Puppies and teenagers with German Shepherds require moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them for multiple walks, and (if appropriate) playing with other puppies in a safe, enclosed space. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to cyclist or jogger as this could damage their ligaments and bones that are growing. Based on their level of energy Adult German Shepherds will need a few hours of exercise every day to maintain fitness. Pet insurance can be an investment that is beneficial for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. It also gives peace of mind for both you and your veterinarian, so you can concentrate on providing the best treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent, fast learners, and extremely adept at training. They take their work seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. However, just like all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their friendly, calm demeanor as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protectiveness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should include the entire family. It is a very family-oriented breed that forms a strong bond with the principal handler. It is important to start training your puppy as soon as possible so that he grows to be a good and well-behaved pet.
German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and learn quickly. However, their high level of ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if they are not properly channeled. A thorough and specific puppy training programs, such as Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand, and reduce any destructive behavior that might result from their natural instincts and inclinations.
GSDs can be wary of people who aren't members of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age in order to reduce the risk of aggressive behavior and inconsiderate behavior. They are also prone to prey drive and hunting which can become exaggerated when not properly managed with frequent ongoing positive socialization.
GSDs can engage in a bark or a lunge when they are responding to a passing vehicle or pedestrians walking on a path or through a park. While this can be a problem for some but it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged since it will teach your German Shepherd that there are other animals and people to interact with. In turn they will be taught that being around other 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 form connections that shape how they perceive new experiences - usually throughout their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new situations and people as early as is possible.
Your breeder should have begun this for you, but once you bring 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.
The key is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might associate the experience with fear and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. Also, you must protect them from the common mistake of trying to sooth or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior which is an easy way to cause an entire life of phobias.
Start by checking off the items from your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs, it's also about teaching them to calm down and focus on the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm pet as they get older.
Seek out dog-friendly cafes, restaurants or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! This is a great chance to reinforce the settle training you've been doing and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can help them to accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't renowned for their comfort in cars and so getting them used to driving in a car early on can make your road trips much more enjoyable!
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult and can be a great way to practice retrieval games.
Exercise
In addition to a healthy diet In addition to a healthy diet, your German king shepherd kaufen puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, this must be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. Jumping, running, and lots of play, for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems when they become adults.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they need. As a breed that works, reinrassiger schäferhund (please click the next website) the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher level of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to help herd livestock. They will have a strong desire to herd and be determined to finish the task.
Because they were bred to work, they are quick learners and belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich welpen kaufen schweiz (https://dideriksen-timm-2.blogbright.net/why-you-should-be-working-with-this-buy-a-black-german-shepherd) are highly trainable. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs that can assist police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.
A good 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 and let him interact with other dogs. This is a great method to reinforce good behavior in your pup and teach him some basic commands.
A German Shepherd that is properly breeding will have a thick straight, clear, and straight coat. The fur may be hard in some places but soft in others. The length of the coat will vary from dog to dog but is usually between 4-6 inches long. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup however, most German Shepherds will have a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.
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