How to Care for and Train German Shepherd Puppies

Socializing with your German shepherd puppy is integral to its wellbeing.

The German shepherd, a highly intelligent and versatile dog, performs several roles in society, including serving as a guide dog and therapy dog. German shepherds thrive on socializing and bonding with their owners throughout their lives, and particularly during their growing years as puppies. If you have a German shepherd puppy or plan to get one, ensure that it is properly cared for, and physically and mentally stimulated with sufficient exercise and training.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy formula, raw food and treats
• Drinking water bowl
• Vaccine shots
• Nail clipper
• Soft-bristle hair brush

Instructions

Care

1. Feed the puppy three times a day with a puppy formula. Gradually add fresh foods such as raw tripe, whole raw rabbit, chicken or turkey along with the bones.

2. Keep a bowl of fresh drinking water within the puppy's reach at all times. Clean the bowl and replenish the water daily because drool from the puppy's mouth accumulates in the bowl.

3. Take your puppy to a veterinarian for vaccination at around 10 to 16 weeks of age to protect against distemper and parvovirus diseases. Repeat the vaccine shot after a year and every three years thereafter.

4. Consult your veterinarian to de-worm the puppy when it reaches 2 weeks of age to treat flea or tick infestations.

5. Regularly groom the puppy with a soft-bristle hair brush. Brush the fur coat to keep it shiny, detangle matted fur and clear dirt and matted hair.

6. Clip the toenails with a nail clipper every two weeks to keep them short. Overgrown toenails are unsightly, and can cause the puppy's toes to separate and result in lameness.

Training

1. Provide obedience training by teaching your puppy basic commands for about 15 minutes, at least three times each day. Use short commands like "sit," "come," "stay" and "down," and a different tone of voice for each command. For instance, use a low but firm tone of voice when correcting your dog by saying the word, "no."

2. Reward your puppy with food treats, verbal praise or a favorite toy, when it learns a command or behavior. This positive reinforcement motivates the puppy to readily learn the new command or behavior.

3. House train your dog at 5 weeks of age. Exercise patience and perseverance while house training.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid offering sweet and savory foods because they can cause the puppy's teeth to decay.

• Do not cut the puppy's nails too short. This can cause the nail to bleed. If you do cut it too short and it begins to bleed, spread a little coagulant powder on the bleeding nail to arrest the nail bleeding.

References

• Official German Shepherd Guide: Enjoy a well mannered pet
• German Shepherd Rescue: Health in the German Shepherd dog
• German Shepherds of Dujon: Special Aspects of Raising a German Shepherd Puppy
• Humane Society: Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training
• Train Pet Dog: House training and potty training

Resources

• K9 Obedience: German Shepherd Dog Breed Profile
• Total German Shepherd: Deworming Your Dog Is Very Important