lambteller4

How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy German Shepherds are a popular breed in America. They are great for 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 using a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy. Health German Shepherds are smart and generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health concerns. Breeders with a good reputation check their dogs for hereditary ailments, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common issues in large breeds of dog. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders. Hereditary neurological disorders can affect your GSD and can cause Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes a weak, drunken-like gait due to spinal cord disease. This happens when the cervical vertebrae narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then advance to weakness, paralysis, incontinence, and loss of movement. Treatments, which could include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery, are available to ensure that your dog lives longer and more comfortably. German Shepherds can suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea disease that can lead to blindness if it is not treated appropriately. Your dog will need regular ocular examinations with your veterinarian to determine the severity of these conditions. German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other ailments. They require a balanced diet that promotes heart health by providing a mix of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian can evaluate the lungs and heart of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical exam. Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, including multiple walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure space. They should not run close to cyclist or jogger because it can cause damage to their 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. Insurance for pets can be a wise investment for your German Shepherd, as it will help pay for any unexpected injuries or illnesses. Pet insurance gives you and your veterinarian peace of mind and lets you focus entirely on the care of your dog. Training German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and highly capable of being trained. They are very serious about their work – as guard dogs as police officers, service animals, and many more. They thrive when given an outlet for their energy, intelligence and work ethic. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and ongoing training to keep their calm, friendly disposition as well as their heightened sense of alertness and protection. The entire family should participate in the training of a German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a close connection with its handler. It is essential to begin training as early as possible to ensure that your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood. German shepherd puppies are quick to master new commands and can learn quickly. Nevertheless, their high intelligence can also lead to stubbornness if not properly controlled. In-depth and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD stay focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that could arise due to their natural instincts and inclinations. GSDs are prone to be cautious of people who are not members of their immediate family. They require socialization early in order to reduce the potential for aggression and inappropriate behavior. They are also prone towards hunting and prey-drive which can be overemphasized in the absence of being appropriately socialized. For example there are many GSDs who be aggressive or bark at vehicles passing by or at people on a trail or walking through the park. While this may be a problem to certain people, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It teaches your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. As a result they will be taught that being around other humans as well as animals is fun and not a danger. Socialization German Shepherd puppies have a short socialization window that allows them to learn about the world and make connections that shape how they see new experiences, often for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new situations and people as early on as possible. Your breeder should have started this for you, but once you bring your puppy home, it is your responsibility to carry on the process, building your puppy's confidence to interact with new people and experiences. The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can build their trust and not feel threatened or overwhelmed. If they feel scared they might interpret the experience as being scared and become fearful for life. You must also prevent from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing them when they're afraid. This can be seen as rewarding fearful behavior and create a lifetime phobia. Start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's checklist of socialization. Here are some suggestions 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 calm down and focus on the dog that is close by. This will help them become a calm and relaxed pet as they get older. Seek out places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a coffee and cake date! Recommended Reading is a great opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you've been practicing and also introduce them new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that can help them accept the outside world when they are fully grown. Drive in a car – German Shepherds are not known for their comfort in vehicles, so getting them used to being in the car early can make your road trips much more enjoyable! Take your GSD puppy to the hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will help your GSD puppy be comfortable in these places as an adult and can be a great opportunity to play retrieval games. Exercise Alongside a balanced diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be carefully balanced because excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running and playing a lot for example, can cause strain on the developing puppy's ligaments and joints. This could cause problems later in life. The puppy's natural drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. This is due to the fact that they were developed to herd livestock. They will therefore have a strong instinct to herd and will be determined to finish the task. They are extremely trainable and quick learners due to their breeding to be work-oriented. They are also naturally guard dogs with a keen sense of danger and will act quickly to protect their family members. This is why they are great service dogs, assisting police with drug sniffing and security and aiding in search & rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other high-profile places. One way to help your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and let him interact with other dogs. It is also a great opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him basic commands that will be useful later on. A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is rough in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat may vary from dog to dog but will typically be between 4-6 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.