Why You Should Focus On Improving Purebred German Shepherd
How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherds are among the most loved breeds in America. They are great family pets and are also great working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and summer months due to their thick double coats. Brushing frequently with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Health
German Shepherds are intelligent and generally healthy dogs, but they have a few health issues. Reputable breeders test their dogs for genetic ailments, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common problems with large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD. Degenerative Myelopathy is one of the diseases that can cause a drunken gait. This occurs when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching nerves which send signals to the dog's hind legs. The signs begin with hindquarters instabilities and progress to paralysis, incontinence, and loss of mobility. There are many treatments available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation and surgery.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if not treated properly. These conditions require regular ocular exams by your veterinarian.
Like many other large breeds, German Shepherds are prone to be afflicted with heart disease and the condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. They require a balanced diet that supports the health of their heart with a blend of omega fats and balanced vitamins. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his yearly physical examination.
Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should receive moderate exercise, like frequent walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe and secure space. It is best to avoid running in close proximity to bicycle or jogger as this could damage their growing bones and ligaments. Depending on their energy level Adult German Shepherds will require a couple of hours of exercise each day to maintain fitness. Pet insurance is a good investment in the well-being of your German Shepherd, since it can help provide veterinary care for unexpected injuries and illnesses. Pet insurance gives both you and your vet peace of mind, allowing you to focus entirely on the care of your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are smart, quick learners and highly trainable. They take their job seriously, whether they are guard dogs police officers, guard dogs, or service animals. They thrive when their energy, intelligence and drive are allowed to shine. But, like any breed, these pups require extensive and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of alertness and protection.
Training for a German Shepherd is a collaborative effort and should involve all members of the family. This is a very familial breed that forms an enduring bond with the main handler. It is important to start 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 pick them up 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 aid your GSD stay focused on their task and minimize any destructive behaviors due to their natural instincts and dispositions.
GSDs are often wary of people outside their immediate family. They need to be socialized from a young age to reduce their chances of exhibiting aggressive behavior and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated if they are not properly controlled with frequent ongoing positive socialization.
GSDs may bark or lunge in response to a passing vehicle or people walking on the path or in the park. Although this could be a problem to some, it's actually a normal behavior that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people around. They will be taught that interfacing with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a short period of time. During this time they get to know their environment and make connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last the rest of their life. Therefore, it's important to expose them to new environments and people as early on as possible.
After you have brought your puppy home, it is your responsibility to continue the process and building your puppy's confidence in himself to interact with new people and things.
It is essential to present these experiences to them in a controlled, safe environment that makes them feel safe and not be in danger. If they feel afraid they might interpret the experience as being scared and then become frightened for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep from the pitfalls of encouraging, encouraging or soothing them when they're scared. This could be interpreted as rewarding behavior that is fearful and can cause a lifetime fear.
Start by checking off a few items from your GSD puppy's list of socialization. Here are Recommended Website to get you started:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy playing with other dogs, it's also about teaching them how to calm down and focus on the dog that is in the vicinity. This will help them become an empathetic and calm family dog as they grow older.
Look for pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for an afternoon tea and cake! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the settle-training you have been doing and also introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures that will aid them in adjusting to the outside world when they reach the age of.
Take a car. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars and, therefore, if you get them comfortable with driving early on it will make your road trips more enjoyable.
Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser, vet, or garden centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these places as adults and could be an excellent chance to practice recall games.
Exercise
Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise in addition to a healthy diet. However, this must be balanced as excessive exercise can cause damage to the skeletal structure of puppies. Jumping, running and playing for a long time for example, can stress the growing puppy's ligaments and joints. This can cause issues as they grow older.
The amount of drive in your puppy will determine the amount of energy and exercise it will require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have higher levels of drive than other breeds. They were designed to manage animals. Therefore, they have an instinct for herding and a keenness to perform the job in hand.
They are highly trainable and fast learners since they were bred for work. They are also guard dogs with a keen sense of danger, and can quickly react to protect their family members. They are also great service dogs who can aid police with drug sniffing security, search and rescue.
An effective method to ensure that your German Shepherd puppy get the exercise he needs is to enroll him in obedience classes. This will give him mental stimulation and the chance to socialize with other dogs. This is a great way to reinforce good behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands.
A properly 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 but is usually between 4 to 6 inches. The color of the coat will vary from puppy to puppy, however the majority of German Shepherds are dark brown or black with the chest and belly being white.