How To Take Care Of Your German Shepherd Puppy

November 19, 2021

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Make Sure You Are Providing A Healthy German Shepherd Puppy Diet

How to take the best care of your #GermanShepherd puppy

Without a doubt, one of the most important elements of your new puppies life is its diet. Giving your puppy a sub-par food can affect its growth rate as well as cause problems with its eye, skin, bone, and coat development. Additionally, some puppies can have digestive issues if they are fed either lactose or gluten.

Finding the correct food for your puppy can be such a minefield that we published a dedicated article on it to help our readers make the best choices. We highly recommend that you read our article on the best food for german shepherd puppies.

Although many people advice you feed your puppy twice each day, this depends on the food you choose as well as your puppy. Different foods have different calorie contents so always try to feed the recommended portion sizes suggested on the back of your chosen foods packaging. If your puppy struggles to eat a full meal at once then it may be an idea to look at reducing the amount of food you offer your puppy in each meal but increase the number of meals of you offer each day.

How Long Does German Shepherd Heat Last

A heat cycle in a German Shepherd can go from 2 to 3 weeks. Usually, a female German Shepherd stays in heat for 3 weeks. Dogs come in heat approximately every six months. In this period, the German Shepherd bleeds continuously, and the blood is very dark on the first day. When she progresses through the cycle, the blood will get lighter and lighter.

The blood starts to become pinker until the point it gets clear.

Stages of heating period:

Proestrous : This is the first stage of the dogs heating cycle. In this period there are going a lot of hormonal changes in the German Shepherds body. The males can be attracted very much to the female, but usually, in this period, the female is not ready to be bred. During this period, the dog has a hard swelling vulva, and the bloods color is very dark.

Estrus : Estrus is the second stage of the Heating period. In this stage, the female is ready to be bred. Her tail may move up or to the side. It means that she is putting her self available to the males. The blood color will become lighter, and the vulva will soften up.

Then there is the final stage when the female dog will not be interested in mating anymore. The blood discharge will stop and clear, and she will start to become normal again.

Keeping Your German Shepherd Physically Active

Make sure your German shepherd has enough space. Remember that a German shepherd is a large dog. This breed needs space to be comfortable in their home and in their yard. They do better in a house that has room for them to move freely about, as opposed to a small apartment or cramped space.

German shepherds can benefit from having access to a lot of space to run around. Make sure that your yard is clear, uncluttered, and hazard-free.

Exercise your dog. Without exercise, the German shepherd’s amazing muscles and energy will be locked up inside with no outlet. Ideally, you would spend 1 hour or 2 every day playing fetch, taking it for a long walk or run, or even chasing it around the yard. German shepherds who don’t get enough exercise are more likely to get joint diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as becoming destructive or depressed.

However, beware of giving them too much exercise at a young age. Do not take your German shepherd jogging or running with you before they are 1 and a half years old, because its joints and bones are still developing.

To keep a German shepherd outside in a yard, you need to make sure the yard is completely fenced off.

If you don’t have a big yard, then take your dog daily to the local park. You can also make use of any other appropriate open spaces accessible from your home.

While you shouldn’t run them after meal time, it is perfectly fine to take them on a leisurely walk after eating.

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When Should I Start Brushing My German Shepherds Teeth

You can start as soon as possible. The young start helps your pastor get used to the situation and make it a pleasant experience. However, since your GSD is still a puppy, you should brush his teeth as gently as possible, preferably with a soft cloth. As soon as it ages, you can use a dog toothbrush.

What Type Of German Shepherd Is Right For You

How to Take Care of Newborn German Shepherd Puppies and Mother

German shepherds vary in the length and color of their coats. You first need to decide if you would prefer a dog with a medium- or long-haired coat. German shepherds come in five different coat colors: saddleback, black, sable, panda, and white. However, the acceptance of these colors by kennel clubs around the world varies, so you should check with your kennel club if the color you want is acceptable for the breed. Of course, if you simply plan to have the dog as a pet, and dont plan to show the dog, any color that you find attractive will be fine.

The saddleback is the most common German shepherd color and refers to the black fur that covers the dogs back. They also have black muzzles. The rest of the dog is either tan or red.

Solid color German shepherds tend to be either black or white. While black is generally accepted in competition, whites are usually disqualified. Contrary to popular belief, white German shepherds are not albinos.

Panda German shepherds are quite rare, having occurred as a result of a mutation in a litter in the US. They have white on their stomach and legs, but black or tan over the rest of their bodies.

Sable dogs start off as tan, but their colors darken with age. These German shepherds develop varied patterns of tan, gray, black, and gold.

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Be In Tune With Your Dog

As you spend more time with your dog, pay attention and observe them closely. Youll notice that they have their own ways to communicate with you.

If you make an effort to listen and figure out what theyre trying to say, youll appreciate how communicative German Shepherds really are, and this is critical for successful training.

German Shepherd Ear Care And Dental Care

GSDs have tall, alert ears that stand up by the time they reach about four months of age. These ears are a signature feature of the breed and can be prone to infections if you dont keep a watchful eye on their care. Walsh uses hypoallergenic baby wipes to clean her dogs ears, noting that the wipes are easy and gentle to use.

Wilson also recommends cleaning your dogs ears and checking regularly for ear infections. Go to the vet if you notice one, she says, as such infections can be serious and require the care of a veterinary professional.

For dental care, a wide variety of oral care products are available now for dogs. Dental care you can do at home includes the use of disposable dental wipes or dog-friendly flavored toothpaste . The best course of action, though, is to consult with your veterinarian about which dental hygiene routine will be best for your dog.

Yasmine S. Ali, MD, is a cardiologist and writer based in Tennessee, where she lives with three Canine Good Citizens, including an AKC-registered German Shepherd Dog.

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Tips On How To Care For A German Shepherd

/ By Shepped Team

Caring for an energetic, enthusiastic, and loyal dog can be challenging. German Shepherds are all of those things and more.

When properly trained and raised, a German Shepherd will make an excellent family pet for you and your family. German Shepherds are excellent guard dogs and ideal long-term friends and companions.

However, it will take a great deal of patience to train and raise your new German Shepherd puppy properly.

Contents

6 Training Is Must

Do Not Leave Them In Crate For A Very Long Time

Important Tips on GSD Care | How to care for German Shepherd

Your puppy can learn to love being in a crate. But they wouldnt like being in it for a very long time.

Sometimes its necessary to leave your puppy in the crate for a longer time though. For instance, you need to go to work. By putting them in the crate, they wont chew on inappropriate things.

Also, you can clean the house when theyre in the crate.

And this isnt bad. Your German Shepherd has to know that the crate is their safe haven.

As such, they shouldnt associate it with something unpleasant. Such as a punishment.

Caution: Leaving your puppy in their crate longer than 6 hours is not advisable.

It will only make them anxious. Staying in the crate too long will end up in pent up energy.

And once out of the crate, they are bent on releasing that energy.

When crate training your puppy, remember these:

Ignore them when they cry while in the crate. Wait 20 minutes until they calm down.
If they are just starting the training, it may be difficult at first. There are times when they cry in the middle of the night. But this gradually stops when they reach 3 or 4 months old.

Check out this guys tips when crate training puppies:

Ensure Your German Shepherd Exercise Needs Are Met

Part of the challenge of owning a GSD is keeping up with its demanding exercise and play regimen. In general, you should be prepared to spend at least 2 hours a day exercising or playing with your GSD. Regular physical exercise is essential to maintain your GSDs strength, agility and overall level of fitness.

Physical exercise also ties in with mental fitness. Typically, a GSDs mental health can easily be determined by how often they are engaged in their exercise or play activities. A mentally healthy GSD is properly socialized, exhibits signs of self-control and shows strict obedience to its owners.

GSDs that do not exercise regularly are more prone to contracting obesity, become fatigued easily and may experience symptoms of joint issues or bone problems early on in their life.

Familiarize yourself with your German Shepherd exercise needs.

What Are The Signs Of An Unsocialized Dog

It can be difficult to know if your German Shepherd is getting everything they need in terms of socialization. Some signs of an improperly socialized dog include:

Fearful or aggressive around other people or dogs
Frightened by unfamiliar sounds
On edge or nervous when out on walks
Fearful or aggressive when others enter your home
Territorial of you while out on walks
Incredibly submissive to other dogs
Overwhelming energy towards other dogs or people

If your GSD is displaying any of the behaviors above, it may be time to consider additional socialization for your dog.

Learn The Joys Of Grooming

Start puppies out with grooming gloves, which are gentle and easier on their skin. Even my older GSD still LOVES her grooming gloves!

GSDs need a brushing routine that keeps them and your house free from excessive loose hair and helps their skin stay healthy.

Heres the best way to start a grooming routine for your puppy:

Expect to brush your dog at least three times a week.
Use these grooming gloves on your puppy while in a quiet area.
They are soft and gentle and create a positive association with future grooming.
Offer tasty treats to keep the grooming upbeat.
Use a soothing voice and tell them how good they are.
Above all, help make grooming and brushing positive experiences from the very start to save yourself and your dog stress later.

A baby German Shepherd that tolerates and even enjoys a daily brushing is a dog that is easier to keep in better health and experiences less frustration when you bring out the grooming tools.

How To Care For A German Shepherd In Heat

When a German Shepherd goes in the heat, most owners do not know what to do. Read this to learn how to care for a dog in heat.

German Shepherd in heat bleed, so you should take your dog clean. Your German Shepherd will lick herself to stay clean. You can use dog pants or dipper to prevent the blood spots around the house. Always walk your dog on a leash when in heat. Keep them away from male dogs to avoid pregnancy. Dogs in heat can get tired, so allow them to rest.

Here are 11 steps to take care of a German Shepherd in heat

When a German Shepherd is in heat, her behavior can get little changed.

Dogs in heat can be very active or very tired.

In this period, they want to meet a male dog to breed. The female can try to run away to get a male dog.

Here are some simple ways to avoid any problems and take proper care of your German Shepherd when in heat.

How To Pick A German Shepherd Puppy

How are you supposed to know which dog to choose from? They are all going to be adorable. How can you tell which one will grow up to be the type of dog that you were looking for?

If you are not prepared to deal with it, trying to avoid getting a dog that has undergone trauma. Signs of trauma, like anxiety, distance, or antisocial behavior can be indicators of this. If there is any suspicious behavior from the breeder or anything that gives you cause to question the way that they care for their dogs, then you should not hesitate to seek a different breeder.

Make sure that the puppy you are choosing has just as much energy as their peers. Make sure that it is relatively easy for you to develop a connection with the dog before purchasing it. If he does not approach you or does not seem interested in developing a connection, they may have experienced trauma, or they may simply not like you. Some dogs simply don’t enjoy affection, and in many cases, this does not change when they become adults.

However, you must consider all aspects. If you are looking for a dog that will primarily be guarding your house or business, and we’ll be spending ample time alone, then perhaps it is wise to choose a dog that fares well on its own.

To Prevent Accidents In Your Home Your Pup Should Always Be:

Attached to you by a short leash so they cant wander off and find a quiet spot to potty. You cant keep your eyes on your pup every moment unless theyre attached to you.

In their welcoming and safe crate either resting, eating their meals, or enjoying a play toy.

In an exercise pen or playpen with a strict potty area.

Under your direct, undivided attention. This means you are always watching your pup.

Dont take your eyes off them for even a second! All it takes is for you to check your phone for a few seconds for your pup to have a toileting accident!

You can either use a crate to speed up their potty training or provide them an area indoors to eliminate. I prefer the crate method.

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How Often Should You Take Out Your German Shepherd Puppy To Potty

You should take out your German Shepherd puppy every 2 hours for an 8-week-old pup. Add an hour for each month your pup is old. So, a 12-week-old dog needs to go out every 3 hours. And a 16-week-old German Shepherd needs to go outside to relieve themselves every 4 hours.

Heres a visual chart to help you remember so you dont have any accidents inside your house.

Puppy Age

Caring For Your German Shepherd

5 Training Tips For German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherds are fantastic dogs and its easy to see why they are such a popular breed. However their size and strength means they arent suited to all families and need a lot of space to burn off their energy. Youll need to make sure you have a lot of time to spend with these dogs and you are committed to providing for their exercise needs every day.

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How To Care For A German Shepherd

Courageous, loyal and highly trainable, the German shepherd dog tops the list as the worlds leading police, guard and military dog, according to the American Kennel Club. The first recognized German shepherds appeared in Germany in the late 1800s, the result of intentional crossbreeding between farming and herding dogs. Agile and muscular, the German shepherd is built for speed and endurance. Care for this active and alert breed requires early socialization, obedience training and attention to common German shepherd health issues.

How Do We Brush A German Shepherds Teeth

Here are several steps to help you along the way:

First, slowly touch the germans muzzle and lift his lips to reveal his teeth and gums. Do this a few days before brushing his teeth so you get used to manipulating his mouth. Little by little, in the next few days, you should be able to gently caress the teeth and gums of your GSD with a finger covered in wipes or a small toothbrush.

The next step is to introduce the toothbrush and toothpaste to your german shepherd dog. It is incredibly important to use toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Never use your own toothpaste when you brush your GSD teeth. Now put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your fingers and let your pet try it. Dont worry, most dog toothpastes are edible.

The third step is to put a small amount of toothpaste in your dogs mouth and a dog toothbrush. First, gently brush a tooth adjacent to the gum line.

Start brushing your GSD teeth, speed up, but stay soft to the teeth on the back. Dont worry if your GSDs mouth is closed while brushing his teeth, thats fine. Use small strokes back and forth and/or circular strokes when brushing his teeth.

When you finish brushing your pets teeth, take a step back and let your dog get rid of the toothpaste. German shepherds do not know how to spit toothpaste, so most likely they will swallow. This is perfectly normal and is why dog toothpastes are made edible and sometimes made with different flavors such as bacon.

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