German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets as well as working dogs.
German Shepherd puppies have thick double coats that shed a lot during the summer and spring. Brushing regularly with a deshedding tool or undercoat rake helps reduce shedding and keep the coat clean and healthy.Health
German Shepherds may have some health issues, but they are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation screen their dogs for hereditary ailments, like elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. These are common issues for large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders.
Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD such as Degenerative Myelopathy. It causes an unsteady gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. This happens when the vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to dog's hind legs. The symptoms begin with a lack of stability in the hindquarters, and then develop into weakness and paralysis, incontinence and loss of movement. Treatments that may include medication, rehabilitation exercise programs or surgery can help your dog live longer and live a more comfortable life.
Eye conditions that may affect your German Shepherd are glaucoma and Pannus, an immune-mediated corneal condition that could lead to blindness if it is not properly managed. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your veterinarian to evaluate these conditions.
German Shepherds are susceptible to heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and other ailments. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids, balanced vitamins and a mix that promotes heart health is necessary. Your veterinarian can assess the heart and lungs of your puppy by using a stethoscope during the annual physical exam.
German Shepherd puppies and adolescent German Shepherds should get moderate exercise, such as numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a secure and secure space. They should avoid running close to cyclist or jogger, as this can damage their ligaments and bones as they grow. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise for a short period of time each day, based on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in your German Shepherd's well-being, since it can help pay for veterinary care for injuries and illnesses that arise unexpectedly. It also provides peace of mind for you and your veterinarian which allows you to concentrate on providing the best possible treatment for your dog.
Training
German Shepherds are intelligent quick learners and extremely trainable. They are very serious about their work as guard dogs, police officers, service animals and many more - and thrive when given a place to exercise for schäferhund kaufen österreich their intelligence, energy and dedication to work. But, as with all breeds they require a lot of and ongoing training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition and their increased sense of alertness and protection.
The entire family should participate in the training of the German shepherd. This is a very familial breed that forms an enduring bond with the primary handler. It is crucial to begin training as soon as you can, so your puppy will be a pleasant companion when they reach adulthood.
German shepherd puppies are quick to learn and grasp new commands quickly. Their high intelligence can cause stubbornness, however, if it is not properly directed. Intensive and targeted puppy training programs, like Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training, can aid your GSD remain focused on the task at hand and diminish any destructive behaviors that may arise as a result of their natural instincts and tendencies.
GSDs are usually wary of people outside their immediate family. They require to be socialized from a young age to reduce their potential for aggression and inappropriate social behavior. They also are prone to hunting and prey drive which can become exaggerated when not properly managed with regular positive socialization.
For example some GSDs bark or lunge at the vehicle that is passing by, or other people on a path or walking through the park. Although this could be a cause for concern to some, it's in fact a normal behaviour that should be encouraged. It can teach your German Shepherd there are other pets and people in the vicinity. They will learn that interacting with other animals and people is not dangerous or scary.
Socialization
German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. Through this time, they learn about their world and develop connections that affect how they view new experiences. This could last for the duration of their lives. It is important to introduce them to new surroundings and people as quickly 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 experiences.
The most important thing is to expose them to these experiences in a secure and controlled environment, where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel afraid or frightened, they will think of the experience as being scared and could be afraid of that specific thing for the rest of their lives. It is important to keep them from making the error of encouraging or calming those who are scared. This can be seen as rewarding fearful behaviour and create a lifetime phobia.
Start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:
Meet other dogs - this isn't just about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them how to calm down and focus on you when a dog is in the vicinity. This helps them to be a calm, relaxed pet, even when they're older.
Find places that are dog-friendly, such as restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy out for a coffee and cake date! This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the training in settle you have been doing and also introduce them to new sights, sounds, smells and textures that can help them to accept the world outside when they are fully grown.
Take in a vehicle. German Shepherds aren't generally comfortable in cars So if you can get them comfortable with driving early on it will simplify your road trips.
Tick a few items off your GSD puppy's list of socialization by taking them to the vet, train shop, hairdressers or garden centre. This will help them get at ease in these environments as adults and can be a good occasion to practice recall games.
Exercise
In addition to a good diet Alongside a healthy diet, your German Shepherd puppy will need plenty of exercise. However, it is important to be balanced as excessive exercise can damage the skeletal structure of puppies. Running, jumping and playing a lot, for example, can stress the growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues as they grow older.
Your puppy's inherent drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have a higher level of drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd livestock. As such, they will have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job at hand.
Because they were bred for work quickly, they are quick to learn and extremely capable of training. They are also instinctive guard dogs, with a keen awareness of danger and are able to react quickly to protect their family members. They are also excellent service dogs that aid police with drug sniffing, security and search and rescue.
Participating with your German Shepherd puppy in obedience classes is an excellent way to give him the exercise he requires. This will give him mental stimulation and allow him to be social with dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and teach him basic commands that will be useful in the future.
A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that is hard in one place, but soft fur elsewhere. The length of the coat will vary from dog to pup but will typically be between 4-6 inches. The coloring will also vary from puppy to puppy, but the majority of German Shepherds are black or dark brown with the chest and belly being white.
