How to Care for and Train German Shepherd Puppies

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
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Instructions

  1. 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

    • 7

      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."

    • 8

      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.

    • 9

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