Bonus 4 More German Shepherd Care Tips There s so much more to know about raising a German Shepherd Dog! Here are some more tips for taking the best possible care of your dog. Raise her right, and she ll be your best friend for life. We ll start with some things you need to consider before you bring your dog home, such as finding the right professionals and securing your yard. Then we ll look at some health and nutrition issues. And finally, the hard topic of what to do when your best friend reaches the end of her life. Pet Professionals Although dogs have been our companions for thousands of years, you will find that you need some help with your new dog. Enlisting the help of some experienced pet professionals can help you keep your dog healthy, well behaved, and well cared for throughout her lifetime. Veterinarian The veterinarian to whom you choose to give your business will become your partner in your dog s continued good health. Like a family physician, the veterinarian will get to know your dog, will keep records on her weight and physical condition, and will help you get your dog through any health challenges. When choosing a vet, call and make an appointment and go in without your dog. Expect to pay for an office call, since you are taking up the vet s time. Then ask some questions. The first one should be Do you like German Shepherd 1
2 German Shepherd Dog: Your Happy Healthy Pet Dogs? If your vet has had some bad experiences with the breed, they may prefer not to work with them. You don t want someone taking care of your dog who dislikes the breed or who is afraid of them. If the veterinarian likes the breed, ask about their veterinary experience, office practices, and policies. What problems do they normally see with the breed and how do they handle those issues? How do they handle emergencies or after-hours problems? When you have had a thorough discussion with the vet and it seems the two of you will be able to work together, make another appointment for your dog. You want to make sure your new dog is healthy and get her started on vaccinations or other healthcare needs. Trainer Just as with the veterinarian, find a trainer who likes GSDs. Ask about their experience with the breed, what problems they have seen, and how they handle them. If you see a well-behaved, nicely trained GSD when you are out for a walk, ask where the owner took their dog for training. Every trainer has their own training technique, so go and watch one of this trainer s classes or training sessions. Make sure you will be happy with their training style and technique before you sign up for classes. Make Your Yard Safe German Shepherd Dogs are companion dogs and prefer to spend all of their time with you. However, they do need to be outside sometimes to get some sunshine and exercise and to relieve themselves. In addition, GSDs can become so bonded to their owners that they get distressed when they re apart from them for any period of time. This is called separation anxiety. It s important that you give your GSD some time apart from you now and then, even if she s not happy about it. An hour or two each day is fine, and she can spend that time outside in your yard, as long as the yard is safe and secure. A six-foot high, solid (so the dog cannot see through it) fence is best for a GSD. It can be a solid wooden fence or a concrete block wall. A chain link fence the dog can see through is not a good idea, because your GSD will then run back and forth along the fence, barking at everything she sees. This can lead to problem barking and fence fighting definitely not good habits.
Bonus 4 More German Shepherd Care Tips 3 If your fence is not secure or if you would like to protect some parts of your yard, you can build a dog run. A dog run should be large enough so your dog has room to move around and room to relieve herself away from his favorite place for basking in the sun. Since GSDs can be diggers, the floor of the run should be concrete or should have wire fencing under the dirt, sand, or gravel substrate. Your dog should always have some shade and shelter from the weather, no matter whether she s in the entire yard or in a dog run. This can be a shade awning, a large tree, or even access to the garage. Very few GSDs will use a doghouse, so don t waste your money on one. Keep in mind that this breed is watchful and protective by nature, and they cannot do their job in a dog house. Your dog should also have a source of fresh, clean water. A five-gallon galvanized tub works well because it s large enough that the water can stay cool and heavy enough that the dog cannot dump it over. Before you bring your new GSD home, walk around your yard, trying to look at it from either a puppy s viewpoint or, if you re bringing home an adult dog, that dog s viewpoint. Is the fence secure? Are there any gaps under the fence that could become escape holes? Are there any plants in the backyard that you want to protect from a puppy s antics? Are the kids toys put away? Is there anything out in the yard that the dog can hurt himself on (pool supplies, gardening equipment, poisonous plants, or toxic substances)? Preventing problems is better for you, your dog, and of course, your budget. Nutritional Building Blocks Although a dog can eat many things, including a lot of materials that may not be good for her, there are some substances she must eat regularly to keep her healthy. These can be a part of the commercial dog food you feed her, part of a homemade diet, or in the supplements added to her food. Protein Proteins are a varied group of biological compounds that affect many different functions in your German Shepherd Dog s body, including the immune system, cell structure, and growth. As omnivores (dogs eat meat as well as some plant materials), dogs can digest protein from several sources. The most common are meats, grains, dairy products, and legumes. Recommendations vary as to how
4 German Shepherd Dog: Your Happy Healthy Pet much of the dog s diet should be protein, but in general, most nutritionists agree that a diet that contains between 20 to 40 percent quality protein is good for a dog. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates, like proteins, have many functions in the dog s body, including serving as structural components of cells. However, the most important function is as an energy source. Carbohydrates can be obtained from many sources, including tubers (such as potatoes and sweet potatoes), plants (such as greens like broccoli and collard greens), and cereals. However, dogs do not have the necessary digestive enzymes to adequately digest all cereal grains. Therefore, the better sources of carbohydrates are tubers and non-citrus fruits, such as apples and bananas. Most experts recommend that a dog s diet contain from 20 to 40 percent carbohydrates of the right kind. Fat Fats have many uses in the body. They are the most important way the body stores energy. Fats also make up some of the structural elements of cells and are vital to the absorption of several vitamins. Certain fats are also beneficial to keeping the skin and coat healthy. Fats in dog foods are found primarily in meat and dairy products. Recommended levels are from 10 to 20 percent. Vitamins Vitamins are vital elements necessary for growth and the maintenance of life. There are two classes of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins include the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. Water-Soluble Vitamins These are absorbed by the body during digestion using the water found in the dog s food. Although it s usually a good idea to allow the dog to drink water whenever she s thirsty, additional water is not needed for digestion of these vitamins, because the water in the dog s body is sufficient as long as the dog is not dehydrated. Excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body in the urine, so it s difficult to oversupplement these vitamins although too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
Bonus 4 More German Shepherd Care Tips 5 The B vitamins serve a number of functions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids. The B vitamins are very involved in many biochemical processes, and deficiencies can show up as weight loss, slow growth, dry and flaky skin, or anemia, depending upon the specific deficiency. The B vitamins can be obtained from meat and dairy products, beans, and eggs. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and, at the same time, a controversial vitamin. Some respected sources state that it is not a required dietary supplement for dogs, yet others regard C as a miracle vitamin. Some feel it can help prevent hip dysplasia and other potential problems, but these claims have not been proven. Dogs can produce a certain amount of vitamin C in their bodies, but this amount is often not sufficient, especially if the dog is under stress from work, injury, or illness. Fat-Soluble Vitamins These vitamins require some fats in the dog s diet for adequate absorption. Fats are in the meat in your dog s diet and are added to commercial dog foods. Excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body s fat. Excess vitamins of this type can cause problems, including toxicity. These vitamins should be added to the diet with care. Vitamin A deficiencies show up as slow or retarded growth, reproductive failure, and skin and vision problems. Green and yellow vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin A, as are carrots, fish oils, and animal livers. The vegetables should be lightly cooked so the dog can digest them. Vitamin D is needed for the correct absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and is necessary for the growth and development of bones and teeth and for muscle strength. Many dogs will produce a certain amount of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight; however, often that is not enough and supplementation is needed. Balanced dog foods will generally have vitamin D in sufficient quantities. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and also works with several enzymes in the body. It has been shown to be effective in maintaining heart health and the immune system. It is also vital to other bodily systems, including the blood, nerves, muscles, and skin. Vitamin K is needed for the proper clotting of blood. It is also important for healthy bones. Vitamin K is produced in the intestinal tract and normally supplementation is not needed. However, if the dog is having digestion problems or is on antibiotics, supplementation may be required. Vitamin K can be found in dark green vegetables, including kale and spinach. These should be lightly cooked before feeding them to your dog.
6 German Shepherd Dog: Your Happy Healthy Pet Minerals Minerals, like vitamins, are necessary for life and physical well-being. Minerals can affect the body in many ways. A deficiency of calcium can lead to rickets, a deficiency of manganese can cause reproductive failure, and a zinc deficiency can lead to growth retardation and skin problems. Many minerals are tied in with vitamins; in other words, a vitamin deficiency will also result in a mineral deficiency. For example, an adequate amount of vitamin B 12 ensures there is also an adequate amount of cobalt because cobalt, a mineral, is a constituent of B 12. Minerals are normally added to commercial dog foods. If you re feeding a homemade diet, you can supplement it with a vitamin and mineral tablet to make sure the dog has sufficient minerals. Spaying and Neutering We have a tremendous pet overpopulation problem in the United States today. Thousands upon thousands of dogs are killed each year in shelters all over the country. Many of these dogs are purebreds wonderful dogs who should have had the chance to live out their lives. The problem has many causes, and it s useless to try to lay blame. However, we can prevent the problem from getting any worse in the future and, we hope, lessen the numbers of dogs being destroyed by spaying and neutering our dogs. By preventing dogs from reproducing, fewer puppies are available for the limited number of homes available. Spaying and neutering serves other purposes, as well. The health benefits of spaying and neutering are numerous. Researchers have found that spayed and neutered dogs have less incidence of cancer later in life up to 90 percent less. That alone is incredible. In addition, the reduced hormone drive in both males and females makes them much better companions. Only the Best Many people feel their dog should be allowed to reproduce because she is a purebred or because she has registration papers. The fact that a dog is a registered purebred is no assurance of quality, and with the overpopulation problem we are having, only the best dogs should reproduce. The definition of best dog is the German Shepherd Dog who best conforms to the breed standard; who is healthy, sound, of good personality and temperament; who shows intelligence and trainability; and who has a strong desire to please.
Bonus 4 More German Shepherd Care Tips 7 When It s Time to Say Good-bye We have the option, with our dogs, not to let them suffer when they are old, ill, and infirm. There will be a time when you will need to decide how you are going to handle putting your dog out of her pain. Some feel the time has come when the dog is no longer enjoying life, when she s incontinent and despondent. Only you can make the decision, but spare your companion the humiliation of incontinence, convulsions, or the inability to stand up or move around. If your GSD must be helped to her death, your veterinarian can give an injection that is an overdose of anesthetic. Your dog will go to sleep and quietly stop breathing. Be there with your dog. Let your arms hold your old friend and let your dog hear your voice saying how much you love her as she goes to sleep. There will be no fear, and the last thing your dog will remember is your love. Grieving A well-loved dog is an emotional investment of unparalleled returns. Unfortunately, our dogs lives are entirely too short, and we must learn to cope with the inevitable loss. Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one, whether it is a pet, a spouse, a friend, or a family member. Grief has no set pattern; its intensity and duration are different for each person and for each loss. Sometimes the best outlet for grief is a good, hard cry. For other people, talking about their pet is good therapy. However, don t allow people to say, But it was only a dog. These people obviously don t understand. Talk to people who own dogs, preferably other people who have lost an old dog and understand your loss. Ceremonies can be good, too, enabling you to say good-bye to your dog and release some sadness. Sprinkling your GSD s ashes under a fragrant rose bush or burying your dog under a favorite apple tree will give you a living monument, a place where you can enjoy nature and where you can recall the wonderful times you shared with your GSD.