20 Great Tweets From All Time Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are a well-loved breed in America. They are great family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed heavily during the spring and summer. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake reduces shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are afflicted with some health issues, however they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders who are reputable will test their dogs to avoid passing hereditary illnesses to their puppies, such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat, digestive disorders, and food sensitivities or allergies.
Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a sluggish gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. The cervical vertebrae narrow, causing nerves to be pinched which send signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with hindquarters instability 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 even surgery.
Eye problems that can affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with a vet to assess these conditions.
German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other illnesses. A healthy diet rich in omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and an array of foods that support the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can assess the lungs and heart of your puppy with a stethoscope during his yearly physical exam.
Puppies and teens with German Shepherds need moderate exercise. This can be accomplished by taking them on numerous walks and (if appropriate), playing with other puppies in an enclosed, safe space. They should avoid running especially near bikes or joggers, which can damage growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level Adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise a day to maintain fitness. Insurance for pets is a great investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus only on the health of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs police officers, service animals and many more - and thrive when they have a outlet for their intelligence, energy, and work ethic. They, like all breeds, require continual and intensive training to maintain a friendly, compliant demeanor and increased alertness.
Training for a German Shepherd is a team effort and should involve the entire family. This breed is very family-oriented and will develop a strong relationship with the handler who is their primary. It is essential to start training your puppy as early as you can so that he can grow into a well and well-behaved pet.
More Help are quick to master new commands and learn quickly. Their intelligence is high and can cause stubbornness, however, if not properly channeled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a specific and intense puppy training program designed to assist your GSD stay focused on their task and reduce any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs can be cautious of people who are not part of their immediate family. They must be socialized at a young age in order to reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
For instance, many GSDs will be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or other people on a path or walking through the park. While this might be a cause for concern to certain people, it's an acceptable behavior that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will learn that interacting with other animals and humans isn't dangerous or frightening.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. Through this time, they learn about their world and develop connections that affect the way they perceive new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new people and situations at an early age.
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 pup's confidence to meet new people and experiences.
The trick is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment in which they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel scared, they may associate the experience as being scared and become fearful for life. You also need to protect from the common error of trying to sooth, encourage or encourage them when they are frightened since this could be seen as a reward for their fearful behavior and a sure way to create a lifetime of phobias.
Begin by completing a few items on your GSD puppy’s socialization list. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't only about your puppy playing with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to settle down and focus on you while 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 a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you've been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can aid them in adjusting to the world outside when they are fully grown.
Driving in a car German Shepherds are not known for their comfort in cars, so getting them used to driving in a car early on can make your road trips easier!
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help them become comfortable in these settings as adults and can be a good opportunity to work on 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 harm the skeletal structure of young puppies. For example running, jumping and a lot of play can strain the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues when they become adults.
Your puppy's innate level of 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. They were born to help herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong desire to herd and will be determined to finish the task.
Because they were bred to work quickly, they are quick to learn and highly capable of training. They are also naturally guard dogs with an acute sense of danger, and they can quickly react to protect their loved ones. They are also great service dogs who can aid police in drug-sniffing as well as security and search and rescue.
Enrolling your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to provide him the exercise he needs. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to be social with dogs. This is also a great chance to promote positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him the basics of commands that will come in handy later on.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is rough in one area with soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from dog to dog however, it will usually be between 4 and 6 inches. The color will also vary from pup to pup, but the majority of German Shepherds sport a black or dark brown coat, with a chest of white.