Rehabilitating Shy & Unsocialized German Shepherd Puppies

Socializing Your German shepherd Puppy

If your German Shepherd puppy is gradually getting aggressive towards other animals and strangers or strange situations or if he exhibits unpredictable behavior and shies away when your friend approaches him with a friendly gesture, then you should admit that you have not socialized your dog properly when he was young. It is your fault - not your dog's, although there are instances about shyness being genetically instilled into the progenitors from their parents.

There are many reasons why some German Shepherd puppies grow different and shy away and try to attack other animals and strangers. Many a times novice owners pick puppies from their dam or separated from the pack before they reach at least 2 months of age. It is a must to keep the pup with its damn and newly born pack members, because of four major reasons:

a) It gets the total nutritional benefits of the mother's milk

b) Keeping it with his pack members until at least 8-10 weeks of age will help each puppy to learn how to mingle and behave with other dogs

c) Keeping it with another adult dog (its mother), each puppy learns certain skills, gains confidence that make each of them naturally social by birth

d) Being with an adult dog (its mother) helps each puppy to get groomed up with special skill to resolve conflicts


Shyness caused by Social Deprivation

A German Shepherd puppy that is separated from his pack before at least 2 months does not learn adequate skill and confidence to handle a strange situation which they face from time to time.

Another reason why of dogs becoming fearful and unsocial even though they were picked after they reached two or two and a half months of age is Social Deprivation. Social deprivation during a puppy's grooming phase (early years) is commonest cause for the puppy (irrespective of breed, class and gender) growing into an unsocial adult. If they are kept away from the external world - enclosed in a hall or kept in a backyard where they hardly get to encounter with various sounds, situations, incidences, animals and people. Consequently, when they are brought to the world outside their enclosed territories, they get nervous and tend to shy away when people or animals approach them or they face situations that is strange to them. They begin to consider every single stranger or strange situation and incidence as a threat. Treating shyness caused by social deprivation can be tough and a time consuming process, and in worst cases sometimes fixing the problem seems impossible and requires serious intervention of professional canine behaviourists.

You have an immense responsibility, if you want to handle things by yourself. First off, always keep in touch with a knowledgeable professional who can guide you in this process. Establishing yourself as an alpha member is of prime importance. Once you've done that successfully, things will become much easier and controllable. You need to control the way your dog interacts with other people who are stranger to him and Vice versa. As soon as a person, who is unknown to your dog, approaches him he will shy away due to his normal instinct. Ask the person to ignore him totally and not to proceed further and touch him. Also the stranger should not make any eye-to-eye contact with him... means nothing that can make him feel unsecured. "Ignoring" him is the way you can make your dog feel that people who approach him do not have any wrong notion, and should not be considered as threat. And your dog will relax from within his mind. This is a training process (Socialization) and is not as simple as it reads here, rather needs a rigorous daily practice. It may take a few months to even a year to get your dog socialized with strangers. The key to the success story is to adopt a non-treacherous, docile and very thoughtful method to make him understand that the world beyond his territory is not a threat to him. For sure you will be glad to see one fine morning he will start coming closer to people. Let him sniff a new person. Even now it's not the right time to touch him! Discourage a person to touch your dog, even if your dog is smelling the person and exhibiting a slight wagging. "Slight wagging" (wagging with slight breaks or not in full swing) indicates that your dog still have confusion and doubts in his mind about strangers. He is yet to open up for a better interaction. Be patient!

Start Socializing Your Puppy at The Early Age

Some German Shepherd puppies are stubborn by birth and this trait gets instilled into them genetically from their parents. Pushing them to do something will never be fruitful. Although characteristics that are genetically influenced cannot be easily manipulated, yet a certain level of repetitive practice of socialization will definitely help. For instance, if he shows stubbornness and signs of attacking or misbehaving with other dogs and strangers in the park, consider taking things more seriously. Talk to your friends who have dogs with balanced mental configuration. Tell them that your dog is in a training session and you need their help. All you need to do is to go for walk together and in the process do force your dog to befriend them instantly. Notice your dog and keep in under strict control, so that he doesn't exhibit any kind of wrong behavior to strangers and other dogs. Let him feel that everyone in the pack (including the human) is trustworthy and he will gradually realize that going out with them will be safe. Doing this almost everyday, if possible, will make things easier and bring your dog in the main stream faster.

Socializing Your GSD Puppy With Sound

Socializing with sound is another important thing. Sometimes honking car, thunderclaps, or other noise may scare him. He may consequently exhibit sudden fear-behavior, and will try to get into a safer place. Don't try to comfort him instantly. Ignore it, and continue moving forward. Being the leader of the pack, guide him towards focusing more on his confidence, and walk forward, without giving a halt. Addressing to his nervousness will help in nothing, but his nervousness will be encouraged.

"Rehabilitation" is a word used for dogs that have not been properly socialized. Putting your German Shepherd puppy to a session of socialization will stimulate the five most important senses in him that can make him a balanced dog. "Socializing" your German Shepherd puppy is getting him introduced, exposed and desensitized to the five distinctive situations that include smells, sight, sounds, touch and feelings that he may come across in his day-to-day life.

Related Read: Puppy Socialization Checklist

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Understanding German Shepherd Puppy With High Prey Drive

Understanding a hard German Shepherd puppy with very strong Prey Drive

Hard puppies can be made easy with strategic handling and appropriate corrective measures

A lot many of our readers have emailed us seeking for advice on how to raise a GSD puppy with very high prey drive. A high prey drive puppy is often a hard puppy, and the owners usually face real challenge to teach them the meanings of the commands. High Prey drive GSD pups have often been returned back, as handlers consider them to be problem pups. Fact is Prey Drive in German Shepherd (also called Booty Instinct) is one of the most important in instincts typical to this breed, and a need for the pup to grow up as perfect working dog. Please understand that Prey Drive is highly desirable in correct degree in German Shepherds; Excessively high level of Prey Instincts makes the puppy hard to train.


Understanding Prey Drive

It is important to know what actual Prey Drive or Booty Instinct means. This is the drive that stimulates your German Shepherd puppy to chase a moving object and bite. This is a genetically inherited instinct, which is not too commonly found in all German Shepherd puppies. It is a genetic instinct by which the dog tries to experience the nature’s moving objects like a running squirrel, flying butterfly and hopping grasshopper and seizes them. Higher Prey Drive stimulates your puppy to chase the fly until he gets hold of it, and until he seizes the moving object he cannot pay attention on other things going around.


What’s There in This High Prey Drive That Makes Your German Shepherd Puppy Hard

Candidly speaking, raising and training a puppy with high prey drive is not every one’s cup of tea. The reason is that not many of the dog trainers possess adequate basic skill that he or she may require to handle a strong prey drive puppy. Very high level of patience with a calm and assertive energy, enough time and technical knowledge about correct implementation of Positive Reinforcement Training approaches are the basic needs that a trainer should have to handle a puppy with Higher Prey Drive.

An experienced trainer will want to strengthen the prey instinct and at the same time train the puppy the desired skills. He will understand that the temperament and behavior of the puppy is governed by his/her drives that are:

i) Naturally expressed through his instincts
And
ii) Stimulated by Positive Reinforcement Training methods

High Prey Drive in a German Shepherd puppy can make it a hard specimen. If not channelized correctly, in the right direction, the puppy’s High Prey Drive may develop into undesirable behavior towards his surroundings, making the puppy unmanageable.


What is Most Challenging in a Puppy With Very Strong Prey Instinct

A lot of people have not got opportunities to handle very High Prey Drive GSD pups, because they are not very common. Do not get confused with puppies having prey drive and puppies having very high prey drive. While it’s too common for all working line German Shepherd to have adequate and desirable degree of Prey Instinct; It’s not very common to find a pup with this instinct in a very high degree. The challenge lies in the fact that a puppy with very high degree of this instinct usually:

i) Remain aloof to other happenings and even remain aloof to commands
ii) Have very very short attention span
And
iii) Easily rebounces back to his own activities (that not desirable at a particular moment) even after corrections


All these three factors merge together to make it a hard puppy that gets corrected, but immediately turns back from corrections and get back to his own unique form.

Another most important thing that makes it really challenging to handle a hard puppy is handler’s inability to understand whether really his puppy has very high prey drive. If you think that you are raising a high prey drive puppy because he is hard to train, you may not be thinking right. Chances are there that your puppy is genetically stubborn. Some puppies are born stubborn which makes them hard to train – that does not mean that they have high prey drive. Stubbornness and Prey instincts are not same.

May be your puppy has high prey drive, but with correct handling and Positive Reinforcement Training approaches he can be easily trained. Not all hard puppies have very high prey drive, but most of the very high prey drive puppies are hard.


Is there anything that is good about a puppy with higher degree of this drive?

Yes… obviously every cloud has a silver lining! If you really have a hard puppy (hard due to very high prey instinct) you should feel lucky. Such puppies are usually not influenced by minor handling errors. Softer puppies can be easily trained because they can be easily influenced and better influenced compared to their harder counterparts. Minor handling problems due to low handling skill set can lead a normal puppy in the wrong direction, thereby developing problem points in the future.

What does it take to raise a Strong Prey Drive Puppy?


Handling

Strategic handling accompanied with Positive Reinforcement Training approaches is the most important method of handling. As discussed above, as a leader of the pack you need to be assertive, confident, patient, understanding, compassionate, and at the same time you should have zero-tolerance for all undesirable behaviors in your puppy.


Treatment

Treat him like your human child. If you are being asked to choose a teacher for your child, what kind of a teacher will you choose? I am sure you would want your child to be taught by someone who is patient, understanding, and teaches at a speed that your child can easily follow. I am sure you will not like the teacher to punish your child suddenly for small mistakes.



Consistency

Raising a hard puppy demands more dedication that raising their softer or normal counterparts. While “consistency” is the key to all types dog training, but for a hard puppy “consistency” should be a way of life – not just an option. You need to be consistently firm and strict as long as your puppy becomes a fully correct specimen. Corrections Punishing a Strong Prey Drive Puppy doesn’t work much, because he would instantly rebounce back from  punishment mode and go back to his natural form (as discussed above). Corrections should not be in a punishing mode. You need to be firm, calm and with a positive attitude (Must). The moment you go impatient, the entire endeavor will go waste. However, very strong and firm shakes and several shakes by the neck’s nape may be necessary for a hard and Strong Prey Drive puppy to bring him back to desirable mode.



Myth

If you are among those who consider firmness in a handler's attitude and firmness with repetitive in the corrective shakes as abusive training approaches, then you are probably wrong (Myth). You have to have a different temperament as an owner and take different corrective actions to train a puppy with strong prey drive. Without firm handling and strict corrective measures a hard puppy can grow into a big menace very shortly. If you believe that being too strict in handling a High Prey Drive puppy will destroy the working ability of the dog, you are probably wrong again (Myth again). Strategic handling comes to play here. Strategic handling involves conditioning the “Drive’s redundancy” to gradually fade out the undesirable behavior that generates due to the redundancy and at the same time developing the Drive/Instinct to use it more productively.


Starting Age for Correction

Starting off at a very early stage of around 8 to 9 weeks is appropriate.


Exercise

One very important factor in Prey Drive that plays in favor of the handler is that , the effect of this instinct (excessive chewing, excessive chasing etc.) eventually gets diminished as the puppy gets tired. A correct amount of exercise (proportionate to the age) is a must to diminish the effect. The motive is to letting the excess energy go out.

Related Reads - Understanding German Shepherd Basic Instincts 

  

Basic Instincts of German Shepherd That all Breeders Need to Understand

Using Motivational Factors in Dog Training Techniques For Your GSD 

Points of Confusion:

1. Not all chasing behaviors are stimulated by Prey Instinct. Chasing driven by behavioral issues is not related to this drive.
2. Strong Prey Drive puppies have biting tendencies. Not all puppies having biting tendencies necessarily have Strong Prey Drive.
3. Abusive training approaches and too firm training approaches are not same. Handler need to be very strict and firm to correct a Strong Prey Drive puppy

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Puppy Socialization Checklist For your German Shepherd

Socialization is an inseparable component when it comes to raising your German shepherd puppy and should be started as early as possible preferably at an age of 4 to 12 weeks. Proper socialization can make your dogs life balanced and calm, because through an extensive process of exposing your dog to a wide range of situations, sights and sounds your dog gains experiences and learn to consider such situations as harmless and not frightening. Socialization is not just for puppies. A dog can be socialized to different situations throughout its life. By socializing your GSD puppy you will help him/ her to respond to the entire range of unusual situations in a friendly manner with a calm temperament.


Why Socializing your GSD puppy?

The main purpose of socialization is to teach your dog how to accept and respond to certain situation that he may or may not come across to frequently in his day to day life. The aim is to develop confidence in your dog so that S(he) doesn't react fearfully in specific situations.

How to socialize your puppy?

Applying force to put your puppy in a situation that daunts him/her is a big NO! Force can only worsen up the thing. If your puppy has already reached the adolescent stage or even over, and yet not been properly socialized you need to technically put him/her into a rehabilitating session to help develop confidence. Very importantly, the process of socializing your dog should be consistent and spontaneous, and it is all about helping him gain confidence not forcing him to stay in situation which s(he) doesn't like or is scared of. It is about exposing your puppy to a wider range of situations. There's not limit wider the range of situations, better it will be for your puppy to lead a balanced life. Socialization is a strategic process to help your dog gain confidence.

Here is a checklist for socializing your German Shepherd puppy

Known and Unknown People

• People (new born, toddlers, children, teens, adults and senior citizens)
• People (males, females and children with umbrellas, helmets, masks, hats, glasses, strollers, wagons, parcels, sack)
• People with disabilities (people on wheelchairs and crutches)
• Men with mustaches and/ or beards
• Bikers, cyclists, skateboarders
• People with unusual movement (drunk and people with disabilities)
• Men, women, teenagers and older children in uniform
• Children playing and running around
• People whom your dog have to meet quite frequently (friends, relatives, family doctors, veterinarians, gardeners, plumbers, electricians, tutors etc.)
• People from different races and ethnic groups

Social and environmental situations

• Huge crowds and gatherings
• Automatic gates and Elevators
• Crowd dancing
• Jammed traffic
• Moving vehicles
• Falling things (broken branches of trees, dried coconut leaves etc.)
• Other animals (other pets, livestock, fowl)
• Water mass (pools, ponds and rivers)

Sound

• Thunder claps and sound of storm and heavy rain
• Huge crowd making noise
• Sound high fidelity speakers
• Honking vehicle horns
• Noise from vehicle engines
• Noise from machines
• Sounds of cracker
• Noise of other animals (larger dogs, cows and buffaloes)

Others

• Stairs
• Terrace
• Vacuum cleaners
• Hair dryers
• Movable electronic toys

These are just a few common situations, sights and sounds, which you should consider socializing your puppy for. There is actually no end to the list. You may consider exposing your dog to as wider range of situations as possible to develop confidence. Socialization is essentially important for many reasons and one of them is dog-bite prevention. Many incidences of dog attacks and bites have been critically scrutinized by canine behaviorists. Lack of socialization has been found to be one very common reason behind most of the unpredictable attacks and bites.

Related Read: Rehabilitating Shy & Unsocialized German Shepherd Puppies

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German Shepherd Puppy Raising Tips

Raising a puppy demands quite an in depth knowledge and both artistic and scientific techniques. Raising a German Shepherd puppy may prove to be a bit more different from raising any other puppies. Your need for a dog may not match that of mine. While many people need a German Shepherd Dog because they love the breed and want a great companion, others may need one for guarding a premise and yet another group will probably be looking for a GSD as a working partner. Whatever the need and thought may be, everyone will be looking for a puppy that will grow up into a dog with all characteristics typical to this breed… self assured, confident, trainable, intelligent, and courageous with a stable temperament. If you are planning for a German Shepherd puppy you should understand the typical German Shepherd characteristics, so that you can raise the puppy correctly. All of the characteristics that you will read in this section (the link of which is given) are mostly genetic or psychological. But raising your German Shepherd puppy incorrectly may spoil its characteristics traits – be it genetic or psychological or psycho-genetic. 


Remember, nearly around half or little more than that of your puppy’s traits are governed by its gene, but to get these traits pronounced environmental engineering (the way you raise your GSD puppy) plays a very important role.

Here are some tips on raising your German Shepherd puppy in the right way. 


Food, Play and Care – Most important of all is what you feed your German Shepherd puppy, how much calorie to burn and what type of exercise should your puppy be getting! Insofar food for your pup a balanced diet is an obvious recommendation. Contrary to the popular belief, it is recommended not giving too much protein to your puppy. High protein will enhance the growth rate and eventually your puppy may get exposed to the risks of developing anatomic defects, due to gaining too much weight that may not tolerated by tender bones. Here is a great read on diet management for your German shepherd. More insightful read on food for your GSD puppy


Free play is strongly recommended until your puppy reaches at least 7 to 8 months of age. Play session should be a fun for the puppy, but a training session for you. A happy puppy would learn a lot of tricks. If he loves to chase the ball, let him do that only after he does something desirably on command. This way the play would turn to be a reward for him for desirable actions. German Shepherds are trotting dog, and the structure has been developed through conscious and selective breeding to meet the requirements of trotting while on work. But power trotting is a big NO until your puppy become physically completely able for that.


Proper socialization - Socialization is important and should be started as early as possible – preferably at an age of 2 to 3 months. A German Shepherd not properly socialized may be a nightmare, while a properly socialized dog is sure make the best companion ever. Socialization is an act of making your puppy familiar to wide range of situations so that when it grows into an adult dog it will less likely to react with fear. A properly socialization makes your puppy grow into a more relaxed dog, with rich experiences in different situations including mingling with other animals, strangers, children, etc. Socialization with sounds, crowds, darkness, men, women and kids of various ethnicities and other strange situations is a must. There is actually no limit or degree of socialization. Wider the range situations you will expose your puppy, better it is for both of you. I hope you will love the story of how I helped a battered German Shepherd girl (Rani) to regain confidence.


Obedience Training – Whether you want a guard dog or a family companion, obedience training your puppy is a must. Apart from just teaching basic obedience commands like Heel, Stay, Come, Go, Fetch and Halt, it is important to proactively teach your puppy the table manners. If you have other dogs too, it is a must that all of them should know that the meal time is not a battle ground. Your puppy will always communicate with you. All you need is to understand it’s communication and use positive reinforcement training methods to teach your dog new tricks.


Establishing alpha membership in your pack – Raising a German Shepherd puppy doesn’t only involve training it well and feed it good. You need to become the alpha member (Leader) of your pack. You puppy should know that you are the boss of the pack and s(he) must follow you. Dogs are perfectly social animals and in the natural state dogs lead their lives in a structured (hierarchical) social order. The same structure needs to be maintained in your family, where your puppy should know who the leader is and what is expected from him/her. As a successful alpha member of the pack you need to be dominant over your dogs. This will maintain a balanced relationship with your puppy as he grows. Here is how to become the leader of the pack

 
Here are some great resources that will help you raising your GSD puppy more technically. Who doesn’t need to be a good owner his puppy? 

• German Shepherd Trainers Tips
• Rehabilitating Shy & Unsocialized German Shepherd Puppies
• German Shepherd Puppy Training Tips
• Playtime Hyper Excitement In German Shepherds
• Using Motivational Factors in Dog Training Techniques For Your GSD
• Understanding High Prey Drive In your GSD Puppy

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What Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Puppy?

Beyond all doubts... there's nothing more important than immunization and diet during the growing phase of your puppy. The two most important things regarding this that should be kept in the forefront of your mind are:

a) The puppy's diet should be nutritionally beneficial having all components to promote growth
b) The puppy's diet should be in correct quantity based on age

Your German Shepherd puppy should get a balanced diet. Any highly reputed commercial dog food brand that "meets the nutritional requirements of puppies established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)" is recommended. Your vet should be the best person to give you a proper guidance about the brand of dog food for your puppy. Remember that all dog food brands that are hugely advertised may not be good for dogs. There's nothing like home made foods if they are prepared keeping in mind your puppy's nutritional requirements.

Whether or not you are using a commercial food but here are certain foods that you should consider giving your GSD pup...

Chicken neck: Properly cooked chicken neck is highly beneficial for your puppy because chicken neck is rich in natural calcium. There is no risk developing splinter with chicken neck. Moreover, necks are easy to digest for your dogs.

Pure Chicken: Apart from just neck, pure chicken meal is very rich in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein and production of RBC and strengthens the immune system.

Chicken gizzards and hearts: Both chicken gizzards and hearts are rich source of natural zinc which helps in strengthening the ligaments. Apart from zinc these are are rich sources of iron, which is one of the most essential components for puppies during its growing phase. Both heart and gizzard provide all B vitamins - especially vitamin B12. Heart and gizzard are also very decent source of riboflavin, folate and pantothenic. Chicken hearts are good for your dog's heart too.

Chicken liver: Chicken live is a nutrient-rich organ that is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, protein and essential minerals like phosphorus, zinc, iron, niacin and copper. Liver is a decent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and amino acids that are essential for your growing GSD puppy. Feeding too much of liver may lead to constipation. Give your pup small quantity of it daily or moderate quantity for at least 4 days a week, giving gaps in between.

Give him green: I have purposefully and consciously used this phrase "give him green" in many of my articles across the web. Remember that puppies that are kept only on meat and egg do not get balanced diet. Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli florets, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, edamame, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, green papaya, gourd, spinach.

Here is why these veggies are important for your growing GSD: 

• Asparagus - Good source of vitamin K. Good source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E, folate, iron copper, fiber, manganese and potassium
• Broccoli florets - Good source of Vitamins C and K. Good source of Vitamin A, folate, manganese and fiber
• Brussels sprouts - Good source of vitamins K and C. Good source of manganese, folate, fiber, potassium and vitamins A, B1 and B6
• Carrot - Good source of vitamins A, K and C, and fiber and potassium
• Cauliflower - Good source of vitamins C, K and B6, folate and choline
• Edamame - Good source of vitamin B2, vitamin K, Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium and fiber
• Green beans - Good source of vitamins C, K and A, manganese and fiber
• Peas - Good source of vitamins B1, A, B6, B3, B2, C and K, manganese, fiber, folate, phosphorus, protein, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, potassium and vitamins
• Sweet potatoes - Good source of vitamin A, C, B6 and B5, manganese, potassium and fiber
• Potatoes - Good source of vitamins C and B6, potassium, manganese and fiber
• Green papaya - Promotes cardiovascular functionality and enhances the immune system, prevents constipation
• Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds - Pumpkin effectively prevents constipation. Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are good for a growing puppy. According to many vets pumpkin is good for overall healthy skin and fur and also promotes urinary health.
• Gourd: Gourds are rich source of water and helps keep your puppy cool from within. It prevents dehydration. 

Eggs: Eggs are rich source of protein and even water. Many dog owners have misconception that raw eggs are good for your puppy. the fact is that raw eggs block the absorption of biotin and hence is not recommended. Always feed your pup cooked eggs that are good source of digestible protein. Boiled eggs are rich in riboflavin and selenium, which are beneficial for your growing pup.

Your growing German Shepherd puppy need more than just balanced food.
 
Water: Last but not the least Water is one of the most essential nutrient for all animals. Healthy puppies regulate their consumption of water as long as they are provided with fresh and clean drinking water. Water is the only thing that helps flush off the toxins from your puppy's body. Water aids your pup in proper digestion of food and helps its body to absorb all nutrients. Puppies that are kept mainly on dry food, may need more water than they may consume naturally. Consider giving them soup prepared with all greens and meat products.

Correct measurement: Quantity is as vital as quality. Overfeeding your GSD pup will eventually lead to a series of health disorders including skeletal as well as digestive problems, thereby checking the growth process. It is important to break the meals in small quantity to be given 5 to 6 times a day keeping enough gap in between for proper digestion.

Play: Free play is associated with proper digestion, and mental and physical stimulation, which are hugely important for your puppy's growth. Free play also increases the water intake that has already been marked as important for your puppy. However, don't let your puppy to drink water immediately after the play.

Last of all remember that your German Shepherd puppy may be allergic to one or more components here that have been discussed. If your pup is allergic to any of the compenent(s) consider giving it to your pup.

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How to Care for German Shepherd Puppies - An Overview

If you are considering adding a GSD puppy to your family, then with get yourself groomed up with proper planning and information on German Shepherd puppy care tips. This is just an outline of how to care for your German Shepherd puppy. Bringing a new baby to your home will open the door to years of love, fun and laughter.

After bringing home your puppy taking care of your puppy is going to be your prime responsibility, that starts on the day you bring home your German Shepherd puppy. Here are what you should consider in the process of bringing up your GSD puppy.

Firstly, you should provide an suitable environment remembering the factors like comfort, safety and amusement. Your puppy need a comfortable bed to sleep on, but more important is that you give him with time, to let him understand his pack members - you and your family. Its your responsibility to make him feel at home and in a safe hand. He should be able to trust you. Trust can be broken in a second. It takes a lot to build trustworthiness. Building a strong bondage with your puppy is a must.

Related Read from Welcome Dog Lovers: How to intensify bond with your dog?

By nature they are very inquisitive and may get into things that are lying around him so, remove the harmful things away and include lots of toys & things that can amused your puppy as they need attention.

Food play a most important role in first few months just because it is the time for the development of bones and muscles. Quality speaks over quantity! Weaning him to correct type, quality and quantity of regular food is very important before you bring your German Shepherd puppy home. So, make sure you check with the breeder if he is giving him correct food.

Between 2 to 3 months feed them about 4 times a day - morning, lunch, dinner and about 9 pm in the evening before they settle down for the night. The same for water in small quantities to control when they have to go.

At 3 months, your GSD puppy should have a changed diet. Remember, sudden & drastic change in his diet can create a big problem. It will be wise to make a very gradual change in his diet style. Gradually reduce food supply to 3 times a day, taking away the night feeding, but still giving the same quantity of food as recommended by supplier.

At 3, 1/2 months starts adult food so that when they are 5 months old they should be fully on adult dog food at the recommended feeding frequency of three times a day, and at the same time gradually increase amount of water left out for them.

At 5 to 8 months you need to start taking away the lunch feeding so that by 8 months of age they will be on 2 feedings a day, morning and night.

Taking care on puppies health your puppy will have had its first vaccination when you receive him or her and will need its booster & rabies. Always check their eyes, ears for hair and wax build up, play with their feet and in between toes on a daily basis so that when they grew up they are familiar with it.

Grooming and bathing is needed while you are taking care of your puppy. Your puppy should be completely bathed once a month with a baby shampoo until about 6 months of age. After 6 months your puppy needs only to be bathed completely every couple of months. To groomed up your puppy dog it should be placed on elevated surface. Take your pin brush and start at the middle of its back brushing the hair backwards or against the way it's growing.

To keep your German Shepherd puppy healthy, happy and well trained you need to begin exercise that can help him or her to familiar with it. Over-exercise is as harmful as over feeding!

Socialization makes your GSD puppy more groomed and they need to have at the beginning, an area in your home that they will regard as their own territory with a blanket or towel they can call their own along with some toys if you want to. At this stage thy should be taken after they have had a drink and about half an hour of eating.

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Choosing German Shepherd Puppy - How To Choose German Shepherd Dog

“How to choose German shepherd dog” is one of the most common questions that I have been facing since years. Choosing German Shepherd Dog can be as easy as A B C for someone, who has been keeping, breeding and rearing the German Shepherd Dog breed for years now. I mean to say, experience is the key! While choosing German Shepherd puppy, you need to look for certain things that many people usually miss out, and the result can be a real nightmare!

Make no haste! Sit back at home, and look for a good German Shepherd Dog breeder. Now, who is a good breeder? How can you find him? All I can say is that a good German Shepherd Dog breeder is the one who doesn’t breed for money. Secondly, a good breeder breeds for quality and is known for the quality of puppies he breeds. Once you get a good German Shepherd Dog breeder, you need to look for the other criterion while choosing German Shepherd puppies. Remember, a breeder isn’t anyone who owns a female dog who has litter! A breeder is the one who has a grip in the science of breeding… rather the art of it. Get an insightful information on caring German Shepherd puppies

Temperament is something very important. This is the one most important thing that makes a puppy fit or unfit for your family. It’s only after a thorough evaluation of the litter as a whole that you can pick the right puppy. Don’t let the cute playful faces choose you. Most of the first-time dog owners make mistakes by letting the puppies choose them, instead of the reverse. Mentally good puppies are friendly, trusting and curious. They won’t stiff themselves when picked. They should approach you without hesitation, crawl into your lap and start chewing your fingers. A German Shepherd Dog with a sound temperament can make a sound companion.

See the parents of the litter. Evaluate the way they interact with each other when kept together. See how both of them interact with you as a stranger. Look the signs of the unwarranted aggression towards you. Remember adult German Shepherd Dogs have their own unique valor and should have the right degree of aggression. If they are over aggressive, it’s a bad sign altogether. Over aggression and Shyness are both behavioral faults, which are genetically transferred on to the litter.

Structure and bones are next very important things to look for while choosing German Shepherd puppy. Notice your prospective puppy moving around carefully before paying for it. He should have the right German Shepherd topline, proper curve of stifle, and bones should be strong enough. The pics that I collected from the net, show the proper bones structure and pigmentation of a good German Shepherd puppy.

Puppy’s lineage is another vital thing to look for, although its hard to determine it unless you’re experienced in choosing German Shepherd Dogs. Remember a good litter is jus a result of a right combination of genes. If the breeder has good bloodlines, it doesn’t mean he will produce a goods litter, because the best female can produce the worst puppies, if not mated to the right kind of male. If you are not good at determining blood lines, you need to bank on an experienced person.

General Criterion like other health issues are to be considered before picking up the puppy. Make sure, the puppies do not have skin rashes, ears free from matter, and they are energetic. The eyes should be clear. Avoid the puppy that has a running eyes or ears.

See the movement, while choosing German Shepherd puppies. Movement of a healthy German Shepherd puppy should be effortless and the puppies should be playful. Avoid picking the one who stays away from other litter mates.

A German Shepherd Shepherd Dog Looks like this when stacked:

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