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How to Care For a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in America. They are wonderful family pets as well as working dogs. German Shepherd puppies shed heavily in the spring and in the summer due to their thick double coats. Regularly brushing with a deshedding tool, or an undercoat rake can help reduce shed and keeps the coat healthy and shiny. Health German Shepherds may have some health issues, but are generally healthy and intelligent dogs. Breeders with a good reputation test their dogs for genetic ailments, like elbow and hip dysplasia. These are common problems in large breeds of dogs. Other health issues include bloat and digestive disorders. Hereditary neurological conditions can affect your GSD, including Degenerative Myelopathy, which can cause a weak gait that resembles drunkenness due to spinal cord disease. The vertebrae of the neck narrow, pinching the nerves that transmit signals to the hind legs of the dog. The signs start with hindquarters instability and progress to paralysis, incontinence and loss of mobility. There are a variety of treatments available, including medications, exercise programs for rehabilitation, and surgery. German Shepherds may suffer from glaucoma or Pannus. It is an immune-mediated cornea condition that can cause blindness if it is not treated properly. Your dog will require regular eye examinations with your vet to assess these conditions. German Shepherds are at risk of heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and other illnesses. A healthy diet containing omega fatty acids balanced vitamins and a blend that supports the health of your heart is essential. Your veterinarian can evaluate the heart and lungs of your puppy using a stethoscope in his annual physical examination. Adolescent and puppy German Shepherds should be given moderate exercise, including numerous walks and (if appropriate) play with other puppies in a safe protected space. It is best to avoid running, especially next to a bicycle or jogger because it can cause damage to their growing bones and ligaments. Adult German Shepherds need to exercise a few hours a day, depending on their energy levels. Insurance for pets is a wise investment in the health of your German Shepherd, since it can help to pay for veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance provides both you and your vet peace of mind which allows you to concentrate entirely on the care of your dog. Training German Shepherds are smart they are quick to learn and highly trainable. They take their jobs very seriously, whether they're guard dogs, police officers or service animals. blaue schäferhunde thrive when their energy, intelligence and dedication to work are provided with a means to express it. But, like any breed dogs, these puppies require a great deal of and continuous training to maintain their calm, friendly disposition as well as their enhanced sense of security and alertness. The entire family should participate in the training of the German shepherd. The German Shepherd is a very family-oriented breed and will form a tight connection with its handler. It is essential to start training your puppy as early as you can so that he will grow up to be a well behaved pet. German shepherd puppies are very quick to learn and master new commands easily. However, their ability to learn can lead to stubbornness if not properly controlled. Dog Training Elite's Breed Specific Training is a focused and intense puppy training program designed to aid your GSD stay focused on the task and reduce any destructive behaviors as a result their natural instincts and tendencies. GSDs are prone to be apprehensive of people who aren't part of their immediate family. They must be socialized early in order to reduce the risk of aggression and inappropriate behavior. They also tend to hunting and prey-drive and can become over-emphasized when they aren't well-socialized. GSDs can be agitated or bark in response to a vehicle passing by or other people walking along a path or through a park. Although this could be a problem for some individuals, it's a normal behavior that should be encouraged because it will teach your German Shepherd that there are others and animals to interact with. They will learn that interaction with other people and animals is not dangerous or scary. Socialization German Shepherd puppies are socialized for a brief period. During this time they are exposed to their world and form connections that influence how they view new experiences. This can last for the rest of their life. It is important to introduce them to new environments and people as quickly as you can. Your breeder should have started this for you, however once you have brought your puppy home it is your responsibility to carry on the process of building your puppy's confidence in meeting new things and people. The trick is to introduce them to these experiences in a safe, controlled environment where they can develop their confidence and not be afraid or overwhelmed. If they feel threatened they might associate the experience with being scared and become fearful for life. Also, you must protect from the common error of trying to sooth or encourage them when they are frightened as this can be seen as rewarding their fearful behaviour and a sure way to create the habit of having phobias for life. You can start by ticking off a few items off your GSD puppy's socialization checklist. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Meet other dogs – this isn't only about your puppy having fun with other dogs. It's also about teaching them to calm down and focus on you when a dog is around. This will aid them in becoming a calm and relaxed pet as they get older. Find pet-friendly restaurants, cafes or shops and take your puppy for a cake and coffee date! This is a great opportunity to reinforce your settle training and introduce them to new sights and sounds, smells, and textures. This will allow them to be more comfortable with the world outside when they reach the age of. Driving in a car German Shepherds aren't known for their comfort in cars and so getting them used to driving in a car early on can make your road trips easier! Take your GSD puppy to a hairdresser or vet centre. This will allow them to become comfortable in these settings as adults and can be an ideal occasion to practice recall games. Exercise Your German Shepherd puppy needs plenty of exercise, in addition to a balanced diet. It should be done in moderation, as excessive exercise can cause damage to the bones of puppies. For example running, jumping and playing for a long time can strain a growing puppy's joints and ligaments. This can cause issues later in life. Your puppy's innate level of drive will determine the amount of energy and exercise they require. As a working breed the German Shepherd is predisposed to having a higher drive than other breeds. They were bred to help herd livestock. This means they have a strong herding instinct and a desire to complete the job in hand. They are highly trainable and quick learners because they were bred to work. They are also instinctual guard dogs with a keen awareness of danger and can react quickly to protect their family members. This is why they make great service dogs, assisting police in drug-sniffing and security as well as aiding in search and rescue, as well as providing security at banks and other prominent locations. An effective way 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 also the chance to socialize with other dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to encourage positive behavior in your puppy and to teach him basic commands that will come in handy later on. A well-bred German Shepherd will have a clear, dense and straight coat that's harsh in one spot, and soft fur elsewhere. The length of the hair may vary from one dog to another but is usually between 4 and 6 inches. The color of the coat will also vary from pup to pup, but most German Shepherds have a dark brown or black coat, with a chest of white.