America has made this breed one of the most famous dog breeds in the world and that too for some unquestionable valid reasons.
They’re great companions, alert guardians, and tireless workers. Their commitment and mental fortitude are unrivalled.
German Shepherd puppies are good at everything they are trained to do, such as guiding and assisting the handicapped, police and military assistance, search and rescue, drug identification, and obedience, and their best quality is that they are loyal companions.
So let’s learn everything you need to know about German Shepherds from raising a puppy to their diet, grooming, training, life, and health.
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Raising a German Shepherd Puppy
German Shepherd puppies are supernaturally charming. These fun-loving pups need proper care, love, and positive training so they become well-behaved dogs. Lack of proper training and guidance can make them large, mean animals.
A German Shepherd isn’t just a magnificent companion to have in the house yet an awesome alert, as he is prepared to bark at any indication of risk. In any case, German Shepherd pups should be trained by a responsible person.
You need to make sure your dog knows its place in the pack and sees you as the pack leader. On the off chance that the dog considers himself to be the pack leader, behavioural issues, like savagery can become an integral factor.
Other factors that play a key role in the upbringing of a perfect German Shepherd are:
1. Make them the ‘Social Butterfly
Your German Shepherd puppy can only become a ‘Social Butterfly’ only if you start taking him among new people and new situations at a youthful age.
Safely exposing your puppy to new sights, sounds, and smells is absolutely important for development as these non-threatening situations will help him to be confident among friendly strangers rather than fearful or aggressive.
So, taking him to a Dog club or park is a great way to get him to mingle with other dogs and humans which will assist him in becoming a good-natured and confident dog.
2. Keep Them Well-Groomed
Because of the shedding, they are known by the name of German shedders.”
German Shepherds have plush double-coat and thus, you ought to consistently brush them with a delicate bristle brush to control shedding, and maintain coat and skin health, particularly during Spring and fall seasons, when they blow their coats.
So, it’s ideal to introduce your puppy to basic grooming tools, like combs, brushes, nail clippers, etc. early on. Go slow at first and make it a fun experience.
If you’re new to dog grooming, you can use this step guide to groom your long-hair dog like professionals with the step-by-step tutorial.
A healthy German Shepherd doesn’t require frequent baths as it can strip the natural oils from its coat. But there are other factors that come into play like when it gets covered all in mud while playing or if it stinks unbearable, then you definitely want to give him a bath.
3. Train him to be Obedient
On account of their solid learning abilities, encourage their best working traits with early and ongoing training. Begin with basic obedience training commands like sit, down, and stay, as well as loose-leash walking, from an early age. If you’re not able to contribute your time in training, enrol them in training classes where they’ll be trained for these commands along with recall, impulse control, and other behaviors.
It is apt to call german shepherd puppies – ‘The Land Sharks’ for their mouthiness. If you have young kids, they’ll be the perfect target for playful biting. So it’s better to teach them that biting humans is inappropriate behaviour and channel that mouthiness into heavy-duty chew toys and games.
Selecting The Right Training Method For Your New Dog
A new dog is a huge responsibility. It does not matter if it’s a new puppy or a senior rescue dog, a lot of work goes into making them feel welcome. Another thing for pet parents to consider is training. Every dog learns differently, so it’s important to figure out what style works best for your pet.
The following infographic will walk you through different training options for you dog.
Graphic created by Unleash Fido.A regular exercise routine will definitely help you to keep your dog’s energy in control especially if you live in a small space as this breed belongs to the working group. Mental and physical exercise is a must for them.
Also See: How You Can Make Your Dog Live Longer With A Healthier Life
4. Nutritious Diet
Always try to give dog food appropriate to its age so that it will get all the necessary nutrients required at a particular age.
Table scraps are a big NO-NO along with cooked bones and high-fat content food as they generally upset their stomach, so only give them sparingly.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary if you are feeding high-quality puppy food. Although adding small quantities of greek yoghurt, cooked vegetables, or eggs to the food is very beneficial to their health. Try this Diy homemade dog food recipe if you prefer to feed a raw diet.
German shepherds for the most part drink a great deal of water so ensure they have a bowl loaded up with water.
5. Health Risks and Diseases
German Shepherds are likely to have significant medical problems, both hereditarily and because of natural elements.
The two common health problems that the breed is prone to are:
- Degenerative Myelopathy, and
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia.
Before you get a german shepherd, ensure the little dog is affirmed by Penn’s hip to be free of dysplasia. Overfeeding, over-exercising, or any injury may make your german shepherd prone to joint issues.
GSD can experience bloat and sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. So, you should educate yourself about its symptoms and what to do if bloat occurs. Complete their vaccination course on time and deworm to avoid other health risks.
Truthfully, raising a puppy isn’t going to be that difficult. The puppies require hard work, devotion, and lots and lots of patience to become obedient dogs.
