Your German Shepherd Puppy will arrive with a bag of dry kibble. We recommend continuing to feed your German Shepherd Puppy the same food and slowly (over the course of 5 days) wean them off and put on a holistic puppy food such as Vet’s Choice or Wellness. During this weaning period, your German Shepherd Puppies stool may become soft or even turn to diarrhea. For this we recommend adding cooked white rice (no butter or flavorings) to the dry kibble.

Feeding Schedule

We recommend feeding your German Shepherd Puppy 3X daily (morning, afternoon, evening) until 6 months of age. After 6 months of age, you can feed your German Shepherd Puppy 2X daily (morning, evening). Adjustments can be made depending on your personal schedule. You should never leave food out all day long so that your German Shepherd Puppy will eat whenever he wants. You want your German Shepherd Puppy to eat on a set schedule.

Amount of Food

Follow the recommendations of the food manufacturer. On the back of the puppy food bag, you will find detailed feeding quantity based on your German Shepherd Puppies age and size.

Water

Water is to be left out all day and night. Never deprive your German Shepherd Puppy of fresh, clean water. Water is the most important nutrient of all.

Treats

Treats should never account for more than 10% of your German Shepherd Puppies caloric intake. Your puppy’s food is his sole source for the nutrition he needs, so do not over do it with the treats. Hard chew treats keep your German Shepherd Puppy entertained and may improve dental health by exercising the gums and scraping the teeth. It also satisfies your German Shepherd Puppies need to chew.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY RAWHIDES OR PIG EARS FOR PUPPY TEETHING/TREATS.

 
It is very important to keep your German Shepherd Puppy free of any fleas or ticks. He or she can become severely ill due to fleas and ticks.

Most flea products these days are effective against ticks as well as fleas. We recommend Frontline flea and tick preventative. It is a medication that is applied once a month to help prevent fleas and ticks. It is a liquid product applied topically to the skin between the shoulder blades.

Chocolate/Caffeine: Chocolate contains theobromine which is a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Symptoms from chocolate can include staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, abdominal pain, seizures, fever, heart rate increased, arrhythmia, coma, death.

Onions/Garlic: Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Out of the two, onions are more dangerous. Onion toxicity can cause haemolytic anaemia, where your puppy’s red blood cells burst while circulating in their body. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine. Usually symptoms appear a few days after ingesting onions. Garlic also includes this the toxic ingredient thiosulphate but is less toxic and large amounts would have to be eaten to cause illness.

Grapes/Raisins: As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make your German Shepherd Puppy ill. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

Mushrooms: Certain mushrooms can be fatal. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US. Symptoms include drooling, abdominal pain, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death.

Nuts/Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts along with most other kinds of nuts can cause illness. Their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Symptoms include development of tremors of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Puppy nails have tiny sharp points that can easily scratch you, your children, or your furniture. It is important to keep your puppy’s nails trim. Untrimmed nails can also lead to broken nails that are painful and bleed. To trim your German Shepherd Puppy’s nails, you can use a pet nail clipper. You may want to hold your puppy in your lap or have someone hold your German Shepherd Puppy on a table. Hold your puppy’s paw firmly and push on his pads to extend the nail. Start cutting off only the very tip of the nail and make several small nips with the clippers instead of one larger one. Be careful not to cut too much as you may cut the vein (quick). If you accidentally cut the quick, wipe off the blood and apply Kwik-Stop or styptic powder to stop the bleeding. It is not serious and will heal quickly.

There are many methods of dog training and many objectives, from basic obedience training to specialized areas including law enforcement, military, search and rescue, hunting, working with livestock, assistance to people with disabilities, entertainment, dog sports and protecting people or property.

As pack animals, wild dogs have natural instincts that favor cooperation with their fellow dogs. Many domestic dogs, either through instinct or breeding, can correctly interpret and respond to signals given by a human handler.

Most dogs live with people who want them to behave in ways that make them pleasant to be around, keep them safe, and provides for the safety of other humans and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own. The fundamental rule that must be remembered is that one should never apply human standards of society onto the dog with the assumption that the dog will understand. Never assume a dog is trying to insult, injure or deceive you on a personal level. Understand that it is acting as a dog naturally, innocently does, and should be met with patience and thoughtfulness, rather than forcefulness or retaliation. Many trainers treat their dogs with cruelty and irrational punishment, leading to measurably increased stress, illness, and tendency towards violence.

The hardest part of training is communicating with the dog in a humane way that the dog understands. However, the underlying principle of all communication is simple: reward desired behavior while ignoring or correcting undesired behavior. “Corrections” should never include harmful physical force or violence.

Basic pet obedience training usually consists of six behaviors:

• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Recall (“come”, “here” or “in”)
• Close (or loose-leash walking)
• Heel

Reward and Punishment

1. Positive reinforcement adds something to the situation to increase the chance of the behaviour being exhibited again.

2. Negative reinforcement removes something from the situation to increase the chance of the behaviour being exhibited again.

When training your dog, use positive training methods. This requires positively reinforcing good behavior rather than punishing to decrease bad behavior.

IMPORTANT: Dogs should not be punished by being placed within a cage, crate or carrier, especially one similar to where they eat or sleep. While this may confine the dog from further disruptive behaviour, and also may seem similar to “sending a child to their room” as a form of punishment, the dog’s mind will unfortunately begin to associate the cage with punishment, and will experience anxiety if put into the container, as a result of the negative feelings associated with it. Punishment involving confinement is an unusual and confusing type of situation for a dog, and should not be used for proper punishment

Rewards

Positive reinforcers can be anything that your dog finds rewarding – special food treats, the chance to play with a tug toy, social interaction with other dogs, or the owner’s attention.

Punishment

Punishments should only be administered as appropriate for the dog’s personality, age, experience and physical and emotional condition. Some dogs may show signs of fear or anxiety with harsh verbal corrections. Other dogs may ignore a verbal reprimand. Some dogs develop an aversion or fear of water, when water is sprayed at them as an aversive.

Keep in mind that each dog is distinctly different. Training methods should be administered only as appropriate. As long as you remain consistent and persistent in their training, it will be well worth your effort and will be highly rewarding. Your dog will never give up on you so never give up on your dog!

We recommend using a puppy shampoo when bathing your German Shepherd Puppy. But before you bathe, you need to brush.

Brushing

By brushing your German Shepherd Puppy before bathing, you remove loose hair and significantly improve the effectiveness of the shampoo in cleaning down to the skin. Brush your German Shepherd with a natural bristle brush. Start by gently brushing at the head and work toward the tail. Brush in the direction of the coat’s grain to remove loose hair.

Bathing

Use only Puppy shampoo when bathing. Never use human shampoo as it contains much harsher detergents and can damage your German Shepherd Puppies sensitive skin. Thoroughly soak your German Shepherd Puppy with warm water and apply the puppy shampoo. Work from the neck to tail, and massage the shampoo into the hair. Use a wet cloth to wash the face, being careful not to get shampoo in the eyes. Rinse completely and make sure to check the groin area, armpits, and between toes.

Drying

KEEP PETS WARM AND AWAY FROM DRAFTS WHILE THE HAIR DRIES. DO NOT LET YOUR PET OUTSIDE UNTIL HAIR IS COMPLETELY DRY. To dry your German Shepherd Puppy, you can simply use a towel or blow dry. If you choose to blow dry, make sure it is with warm air and never hot air.

Puppy Cologne

Below is a list of supplies you will need before bringing home your German Shepherd Puppy. Some supplies are optional and some are a necessity. We strongly recommend being prepared beforehand to assure an easy transition for you and your German Shepherd Puppy.

Things You Will Need Before Bringing Your German Shepherd Puppy Home

 
Needed Supplies

Stainless Steel Water Bowl
Stainless Steel Food Bowl
Leash and Collar
Premium Brand Dog Food (Holistic)
Dog Crate

 
Optional Supplies

Treats
Dog Bedding
Dog Toys and Chews (Bull Sticks)
Dog Brush
Puppy Shampoo
Dog Clippers

 
1. Please arrive at the airport before your German Shepherd puppy is scheduled to arrive, and go to the live cargo pick-up area for the traveling airline. This spot is different in many airports and it is good practice to call the regional airport ahead of time to find out this location.

2. Bring with you the shipping information and two forms of identification.

3. You may also want to bring a bottle of water, a blanket or towel, and something super tasty like boiled chicken pieces, cheese, or other meat pieces. Your German Shepherd puppy may be very hungry and thirsty or not hungry or thirsty at all. Do not be alarmed if either happens. Once your German Shepherd puppy gets home and adjusted into its own new bed (you may want to continue to use the crate) with new toys and the same food and familiar blanket, your German Shepherd puppy should start eating and playing normally. If the puppy is not eating much, mix rice or chicken and add it to the dry food your German Shepherd puppy came with. Do not over-feed your German Shepherd puppy human foods which may lead to digestive discomfort.

4. The first thing you do when you take the puppy out is to take it to the closest grassy spot ASAP. THEN give your German Shepherd much love and tender care. Contact LittleLindas to let us know that your puppy has arrived safely.

 
Checklist:
- Bring paper towels, a blanket or towel
- Bring newspaper
- Trash bag
- Bring a leash and collar
- Bottled water and a bowl
- Boiled chicken pieces, cheese, or other meat pieces
- Wetwipes for self cleanup

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

Bringing your German Shepherd Puppy puppy home is one of the most exciting moments. There is a new bundle of furry joy that enters your family and settles in for a long and nurturing bond between dog and human. However, this joy can quickly disperse as the role of housebreaking comes along and you start to become frustrated.

First, the new German Shepherd Puppy owner must realize that not all dogs are the same. One puppy may be easily trained by the time it is 12 weeks old, while another puppy could be 5 months old before being fully housebroken. Each puppy is different and must be trained according to what fits for that particular puppy.
 
What is housebreaking?

Housebreaking is the act of getting your puppy to soil where you want. Usually this is outside of the home but some owners of smaller breed dogs choose to litter train their puppies instead. For German Shepherd Puppies, litter training is not an option so we must assume that the German Shepherd Puppy will be trained to pee and poop outside of the home.
Importance of Schedules

Schedules are one of the most important aspects of housebreaking your puppy. The first thing any new or expecting family should do is create a bathroom schedule for their new puppy.

Puppies around 8-16 weeks old will usually need to go to the bathroom every 3 hours. Therefore, you should schedule bathroom breaks every couple of hours, even if your puppy does not show signs of having to go to the bathroom. If you keep to a 3-hour schedule, your puppy will catch on quickly and start to begin to hold from going to the bathroom indoors until that scheduled potty break. As your puppy gets older, this 3-hour schedule can be extended an hour at a time, until your puppy can finally wait up to 8 hours or more. Please note that this is a gradual process and will take several weeks to months before being able to wait that long as a puppy’s bladder is underdeveloped when young and cannot physically wait that long without having the urge.

Puppy proofing your home is not only a smart thing to do it can also save your German Shepherd puppy’s life. Puppies will chew on anything and everything – including electrical wires, chicken bones, socks, and underwear. Puppy proofing is easy to do, follow the steps below and your house will be puppy proofed in no time.

- WHEN UNSUPERVISED YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY SHOULD BE CRATED. See Article on Home Page regarding German Shepherd Crates.

- Check for and secure electrical wires so that they are not within reach of your labrador retreiver puppy.

- Put safety latches on cabinets that have poisonous items — often under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Ask for these latches at your hardware store.

- If your German Shepherd puppy will have access to a garage, be sure there is no anti-freeze within reach. It has an attractive smell and taste to dogs and cats.

- Walk around your home and look for things that are potentially dangerous for your German Shepherd puppy.

- Pick up trash containers that might contain anything harmful to your German Shepherd puppy.

- Remove any poisoinous household plants. See List of Poisoinous Plants on Home Page.

- If you have a fenced yard, terrific! Walk around your fencing and look for any place that your German Shepherd puppy might be able to squeeze through. See if anything else in the yard needs puppy proofing.

- Plan your potty-training arrangements. Where do you want the puppy to do its stuff? How will you clean it up?

German Shepherds bond well with children with whom they are familiar. German Shepherds are highly active dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured. The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond well with people they know. However, they can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly. An aloof personality makes them approachable, but not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient and some people think they require a “firm hand”, but more recent research into training methods has shown they respond as well, if not better, to positive reward based training methods.

A German Shepherd on MountainTop

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD, also known as an Alsatian), (German: Deutscher Schäferhund) is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany.  The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899.  As part of the Herding group, the German Shepherd is a working dog developed originally for herding and guarding sheep.  Because of its strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training it is often employed in police and military roles around the world.  Due to its loyal and protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of the most registered of breeds.

History

In Europe during the 1800s, attempts were being made to standardize breeds.  The dogs were bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators.  In Germany this was practiced within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs that they believed had traits necessary for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength, and keen senses of smell.  The results were dogs that were able to perform admirably in their task, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.

To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the intention of creating standardized dog breeds in Germany.  The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that the society should promote; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for appearance.  While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society had inspired people to pursue standardizing dog breeds independently.

Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member.  He believed strongly that dogs should be bred for working.  In 1899, Von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein.  Hektor was the product of few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be.  He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal’s intelligence and loyalty, that he purchased it immediately.   After purchasing the dog he changed its name to Horand von Grafrath and Von Stephanitz founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog).  Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society’s breed register.

It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Von Stephanitz’s strong, uncompromising leadership and he is therefore credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.

Description

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a large sized dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres (22 and 26 in) at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms (49 and 88 lb).  The ideal height is 63 centimetres (25 in), according to Kennel Club standards.  They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose.  The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite.  The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look.  The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they often are pulled back during movement.  They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace.  The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.

German Shepherds can be a variety of colors, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties.  Both varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic “saddle” to an over-all “blanket.”  Rarer colour variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties.

German Shepherds sport a double coat.  The outer coat, which is shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat.  The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long.  The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.  Treatment of the long-hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a fault in the American Kennel Club.

Intelligence

German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence,  a trait for which they are now renowned.  They are considered to be the third most intelligent breed of dog, behind Border Collies and Poodles.  Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to quickly learn various tasks and interpret instructions better than other large breeds.

Temperament

German Shepherds bond well with children with whom they are familiar.  German Shepherds are highly active dogs, and described in breed standards as self-assured.  The breed is marked by a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose.  Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond well with people they know.  However, they can become over-protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialized correctly.  An aloof personality makes them approachable, but not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers.  German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient and some people think they require a “firm hand”, but more recent research into training methods has shown they respond as well, if not better, to positive reward based training methods.

• There are many types of crates, and variations within the types:

• FOR YOUR HOME, WE RECOMMEND PURCHASING A WIRE CRATE (pictured on right). Wire crates come in all different sizes. We recommend a medium to large crate that is foldable and has a divider. Make sure to put a towel, pad, or soft blanket in the crate so that your German Shepherd puppy can lie down comfortably. We also recommend covering the back part of the crate at least halfway with a sheet.

• Solid plastic crates are usually more suitable than other types for secure travel, such as in an airplane. They might also be safer in a car accident than other types. Disadvantages are that they take up a lot of space and do not fold for storage.

• Aluminum crates can be either fixed or folding. A few of their advantages are: light weight, very strong when constructed with appropriate bracing, will not rust, excellent airflow & vision for the dog, appealing looks compared to wire crates. Aluminum crates are suitable for use at veterinary hospitals, car travel, as a permanent “den” for your dog inside the home and in breeding kennel environments.

• Soft crates can always be easily folded for storage or transport and are lightweight. They provide your dog with a stronger sense of security but still allow visibility and airflow. They cannot be used with dogs who are likely to dig or chew at the crate, and they are unsuitable for transporting dogs in any type of vehicle. Dog tents are a new alternative to soft crates. They offer many of the same advantages (and disadvantages) of soft crates but fold down to an even smaller size and are ultra lightweight so that they can be stuffed into tent bags and taken virtually anywhere. They make ideal enclosures for people who need to pack their soft crates into cramped vehicles or suitcases or for people who hike, camp or are involved in dog sports. Like soft crates, they are not suitable for puppies, dogs who are not housebroken, or for vehicle travel.