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Guide to care
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Green Days Farm motto: Go Natural!

In our methods, we emphasize natural and holistic health care and treat our animals with the love and respect they deserve. We believe that if there is a problem, Mother Nature has a solution, otherwise life on Earth would not exist. On this page, we share our own experience and we also reference information that we found interesting and useful. With this knowledge, you can then develop your own way of raising your doggo that works best for you
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Guide to Raising
German Shepherd Puppy

 

HOUSING

The best place for your puppy is next to you on a couch. Everything your puppy ever wants - is to be with you, wherever you go or do. Crate is a good thing to keep your puppy out of trouble when you are not home, but it would be ok for 2-3 hours. Normally dogs are trying to go potty as far as possible from the place they eat and sleep, but if you leave your pup locked up for too long, they have no choice! and the crate becomes a real torture for them.

If you have a backyard, you may consider putting an outside kennel with a doghouse in it. Kennel should be rather long and narrow, rather than square. Make a doghouse on one side and a potty place on the opposite side. Dogs are also like sitting on wooden pads, about 1-2 ft above the ground. Floor in a kennel might be made from either concrete, garden tiles or wood chips. Doghouse is better if it is made from wood than plastic. The best bed for the doghouse is hay. It keeps them warm, and it's easy to add fresh butch from time to time. If you have to leave your pup "home alone" for the day, outside kennels work really well. Plenty of water, bones to chew - and your doggie is safe and sound for a day, as well as your furniture and shoes


POTTY TRAINING

Puppies explore a lot and sleep a lot. If you are at home, just follow your puppy schedule: Play / Eat / Sleep. When the puppy wakes up, take him outside really quick, make sure he goes potty. Spend 10-25 minutes walking, playing, training, then take home for more playing and socializing, feed him and then happy, tired pup will take a long nap. Very important DO NOT switch the order to: Feed / Play / Sleep. We don't want gastric bloat or torsion to happen!

 

"DO" AND "DONT"

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There is a long list of "Do" and "Don'ts" for raising a puppy. Since German Shepherd puppies are heavy-boned and grow really fast, just do what seems to be logical and obvious to you. For example: Don't let your pup jump on a slippery kitchen floor or take him for a 10-mile walk.
But some things are not so obvious, like: Why can't I share pizza with my best friend? Well, just believe me, dogs do not digest it too well. Check the complete "Do and Don'ts" list on the GSDCA webpage, after you've done with my list 

 

 

FEEDING

Important Tips:

1. Sensitive stomach: German shepherds known for sensitive stomach. Very important to be conservative and not experiment with all kinds of different foods.

2. Balanced food. The right balance of vitamins and minerals is extremely important for a fast-growing puppy. I raise my puppies on Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Formula

Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy

 

I feed my puppies this formula till about 1 yo, twice a day. It is an excellent, right balanced kibble. If you feed them with this formula, there is no need to give any other supplements. I noticed that ears stand up better if you feed your pup with Royal Canin

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Diamond Puppy

 

My second best is the Diamond Puppies formula. It is also a very good food, made here in the US. I never noticed any allergic reaction on this one. I feed all my pregnant and nursing females with it and all puppies start eating it right there at their mommy bowls

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Diamond Hi-Energy

 

My adult dogs I feed 50% Diamond High Energy Formula and 50% home made food (raw meat, eggs, goat cheese, kale, ect)

3. Excess / Lack of minerals: In my opinion, excess of minerals and vitamins is even worse than lack of it. We love our puppies so much! and very often we tend to overdo them! Excess calcium can lead to abnormal skeletal and teeth development, bladder or kidney stones, and puppy ears might never get up!

By Mary Straus: "Giving an inappropriate amount of calcium (either too much or too little) can cause orthopedic problems in growing puppies, especially large-breed puppies during the first six months when they are growing the fastest. But giving too little calcium can lead to bone disease and more in adult dogs, too. Never add calcium to commercial diets that are "complete and balanced" – these already contain the right amount of calcium! Adding calcium to a "complete and balanced" diet would be particularly dangerous for large-breed puppies"

Bones, bones, bones!!!

If you prefer homemade diets, just make sure you give your doggie at least 25 to 30 percent of raw meaty bones. And we are talking about really good, small cut, marrow soup bones. Not just smoked "nothing to eat" toys. Everything is ever your dog wants - it's your love and raw bones! Pregnant and lactating mamas, newborn puppies, growing puppies, adults and old doggies all of them need to chew raw bones!! for the white teeth, good breath and overall health. None of "complete nutrition" doggie's food can be really complete without nice sliced, femur bone. Get it in a supermarket, put it in a freezer and give your pup one piece every other day, it always seems to be right. Please don't spend your money on plastic chew toys, just give them what mother nature recommended

4. I like to use homemade cooked meats and livers to train and spoil my pups. However I love to give left and right all kinds of treats to my adult dogs. Our favorite brand is Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats Biscuits Those are coming in all kind of sizes and flavors

5. Raw Foods. As I mentioned, I raise my puppies on "Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Formula" and as puppies grow, I start giving them raw meat, eggs, veggies, goat cheese and yogurt. To kill bacteria on raw meat, I put meat in boiling water, cover the pot with the lead, turn off the stove and let it stay for about 20 minutes. Keeping meat in a freezer for two/three weeks also helps to get rid of bacteria. Eggs should be boiled, otherwise it might cause diarrhea. I also like to give my dogs all kinds of greens and veggies. My favorite: alfalfa, kale, spinach and carrots but not cabbage or potato. I mix greens in a bowl together with meat, eggs, kibble and add plain meat/chicken broth. That's how my adult doggie's plate is made. Plus raw soup bones, often!

6. No fat! You should take off all fat from the broth. Cooked fat is really bad for our shepherds. They still can digest raw fat, but not cooked

 

7. The right amount of food. I feed my pups three times a day up to three months old and then switch to two times. Very important DO NOT overfeed your pup. It is kind of cute when a pup is rolling like a furry ball, but it is not what we really want to see!!!! What we WANT to see in a growing German Shepherd - is two last ribs showing when the puppy is playing. You don't want your beautiful shepherd to end up with cow hocks, bended wrists, sagging toplines or displaced hips. Don't look much at "puppy weight charts" or "feeding instructions", just look at those two ribs. If you can find them, then your pup is OK

8. Digestive enzymes and probiotics. Do you ever wonder why some dogs eat poop? The answer is - not enough digestive enzymes in dogs' guts. After food travels through intestine and being partially digested, it gets some enzymes, that the dog is trying to get back Healthy puppy starts with healthy guts.


 

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9. The MOST recommended product on this page is Olewo Dehydrated Carrots. I add it to each dog meal for good

    digestion, intestinal worm prevention, and a great coat

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ALWAYS PERFECT POOP: Helps your dog firm up stools often after just 2 feedings.
DIGESTIVE SUPPORT: Say goodbye to dog diarrhea, constipation, intestinal worms, gas, and bloating in dogs.
SKIN AND COAT: Say hello to healthy skin and shiny coat. Enhances coat color, markings, and pigmentation for amazing looks.
IMMUNITY and GUT HEALTH: Boosts immune system and promotes gut integrity, both of which are key to overall health

 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Two things you should be concerned about raising a German Shepherd puppy: Sensitive stomach and joint health.

When you get your puppy, just stick with food your breeder recommended for at least one or two months. Do not try all doggie food on a market "until you find what your puppy likes". Well, I hear that sometimes from my customers. If you have children, ask them not to share their food with the pup. You can boil meat or chicken, cut into small pieces and use it as a treat.

German shepherd puppies are growing big and growing fast. Growth plates are closing after one year of age. Be very careful and don't let your puppy jump, especially on a slippery kitchen or wood floor, in and out of your car. Running on stairs isn't great either. Don't take them on very long walks or hikes. And very importantly do not overfeed them. German shepherd puppies should not look like fluffy bears, but like fast dynamic deer.

At the age of 6-8 months, puppies feel strong and confident. They start to run fast and play rough. Sometimes they have "growing pain", become stiff or start limping. You can give them "Next Level Joint Fluid", you can get it in feed stores or on Amazon. I especially would like to recommend CBD oil. Excellent remedy for reducing pain, inflammation, arthritis and anxiety. If your puppy is stiff or starts limping you may give him those supplements and let him rest

 

VIRUSES, PARASITES, WORMS

Viruses are here to kill, but we do not let that happen! Vaccination is the must! If your puppy has a combination of those symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, don't try to fix it with rice and chicken, it might be Parvo! Rush to see your Vet, it's an emergency and every min is counted. Vaccinated puppies can get sick too, but have a better chance to recover.

Parasites and worms are not that bad, these guys are just looking for a free ride  But one thing they both have in common, they are hunting for easy victims - youth, weak or elderly. The best we can do for our puppies is just feed them well, feed them right, groom and play outside a lot. In my methods, I emphasize on natural and holistic health care of our animals. I am trying to use natural treatments as much as I can, just what Mother Nature recommended. I believe that animals are not our toys and we should not pour chemicals and pesticides on them to make them sterile inside and out. If we are getting an animal, we should be ready to share some smell, to hear their voices, and even a couple of worms!

 

FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION

If you are thinking about using Frontline, Isoxazoline, Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica or Credelio on your dog for flea and tick prevention please take a min, WATCH THIS!

An article from Dogs Naturally Magazine: "Is Frontline Harmful To Your Dog?". Meet real people and real stories at Facebook Public Group: "Does Nexgard Kill Dogs?"

 

Instead of giving your dog pesticides, discover the natural stuff:

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Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is made from Diatomites, which are rough, porous fossilized mineral deposits formed near dried up water. DR is one of nature's greatest solutions for all-around pet health: coat, appetite, metabolism, digestion, natural source of silica and other minerals that is essential for healthy joints, ligaments, and bones, kills parasites (fleas, ticks, lice or mites). DE is deadly to any insect, yet completely harmless to animals.

By Nicole Apelian, Ph.D "Diatomaceous Earth detoxifies the body, improves joint and bone health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. DE naturally kills parasites and viruses in the digestive tract. By using the 10 days on and 10 days off schedule for 5full cycles, it kills parasites in all stages of the reproductive cycle, ending the infestation"

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This wonderful soap repelling mosquitos, fleas, and ticks is sulfate and paraben-free. You can give your pup a bath often without exposing you or your furry family to harsh chemicals Or you can get any other pine soap or wash, there are plenty

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DEWORMING
 

Current research says you should only deworm when they need it. How do you know when they need it? You should do "poop patrol" regularly and check for signs of parasites. You may also pull down your doggy lower eyelid and see what color it is. Dark pink means that your dog is not anemic and most likely does not have any blood-sucking worms. If you notice your dog is very skinny, the coat is pale and dull, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, change in appetite, itching, and signs of skin irritations - it might be time for deworming However we should be aware of Dewormer Resistance.

Dewormer resistance by Deborah Niemann: "You have probably heard of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which resulted from the overuse of antibiotics. A similar phenomenon has occurred with chemical dewormers and internal parasites. Veterinary professionals thought parasites could be eliminated and began recommending the routine use of chemical dewormers in healthy animals. Although this worked in the short term, the long-term result has been dewormer-resistant parasites. Using a dewormer when it isn’t needed means you have just taken one more step towards dewormer resistance and the day when a dewormer will be needed and it no longer works."

Please continue to read an article from an excerpt by Deborah Niemann: Dewormer Resistance

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Nemex 2 is the best dewormer for pups and grown dogs, eliminates roundworms and hookworms, it can be given directly or mixed with food. Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. After six to 12 months every three months

 

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Works by paralyzing hookworms and roundworms so they can be passed out of the body in your pet's feces and less frequently, by vomiting. Pyrantel works on most, except tapeworms, that are spreading by fleas, therefore no fleas, no tapeworms, and considered to be safe

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I give Pyrantel to my adult dogs, 1-2 times a year and for the maintanence I use all natural detox and dewormers myself and offer it to all my animals as well. Our worms eat healthy . Parasites, viruses, parasites and fungi are always around and we should make them feel very uncomfortable as unwanted visitors, so they won't stay too long and leave. Unlike chemical dewormers there is no such thing like Dewormer resistance to a Natural dewormers, for example: parasites resistance to Garlic
 

Pumpkin Seeds

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Pumpkin seeds are an extremely effective deworming agent because they contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. This paralyzes the worms making them easily eliminated from the intestine. They can be fed whole as a treat or you can grind them into a fine powder and add to Fido's food. One teaspoon of raw pumpkin seeds (not the salted savory snack ones) per 10lbs of body weight twice a day should do the trick

 

Carrots

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These common orange vegetables are a great source of vitamin A and believe it or not, can get rid of worms in our canine companions. Olewo Dehydrated Carrots scrape the walls of the stomach and gut as they are digested, removing the mucus and any parasites that are within it. Carrots can be fed at meal times, they are perfectly safe, boost the immune system and are an excellent source of nutrients for your pet

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

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Over the last few years we have all become aware of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar but did you know this fermented apple cider can also work as an effective worm treatment for our four-legged friends. It works because unlike other vinegar it increases the alkaline levels in the dog's intestines making it inhospitable for parasites and worms. Add 1/4-1 teaspoon of raw organic ACV to your dog's water every day you may also notice an improvement in coat condition along with several other health benefits

Please find more about Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Worms on the PetPartners page

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​​​​​​​​​​DIARRHEA IN DOGS

The most common reasons for diarrhea in puppies and adult dogs are: Wrong Food or Giardia

 

Wrong Food:


- Cooked/Grilled steak bones, ribs, and chicken bones cause choking and throat damage to dogs

- Garlic and onions are toxic for canine

- Raw meat can contain bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli

- Hot dogs and salty snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, and popcorn - the biggest problem is too much sodium, which can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and seizures - and even can be fatal

- Corn on the cob - can cause serious intestinal blockage

- Chocolate and caffeine could be cause of serious medical emergency

- Licking the fatty leftovers around the grill can result in pancreatitis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, hunched back, and fever.

If your dogs have diarrhea, as a first aid you can give them non prescriptions Anti-Diarrheal Liquid Kaolin Pectin (1-3 tsp, 4-6 times a day) and Olewo Dehydrated Carrots, (re-dehydrate in worm water and mix it with dog food). Most of the time you would be able to fix it in a couple of days. If diarrhea persists beyond 48 hours consult your vet​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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FortiFlora Dog Probiotic Supplement. 

You can get it in a feed store or buy it online   

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Kaolin Pectin is a gastrointestinal protectant that is used to treat diarrhea and certain toxicities. Its use in cats, dogs and other animals

If you think your pet has gotten into something potentially toxic, call your veterinarian right away. When it happens outside of office hours you can call AKC Reunite Pet Poison Helpline at 800-252-7894 for help

Giardia

Giardia is a simple one-celled parasitic species that causes diarrhea in puppies. Puppies might be still active and eat well. The parasites are found worldwide in streams, lakes, municipal water supplies, swimming pools, wells, basically everywhere in water and damp environments. Adult animals with strong immune systems most of the time are not affected. Giardia follows youth with an immature immune system: puppies, baby goats and other. Parasites can be killed with chlorine, but It is not realistic to disinfect all your property unless it is one giant concrete slab. We cannot and don't have to create totally sterile environment to raise our puppies. Mostly we can rely on our puppies' strong immune system and in a worst case - antibiotics.

Majority of adult dogs and puppies can carry a few Giardia parasites (not active Giardia) in their systems and do not have diarrhea, vomiting, or any other signs of illness. However, some changes in a diet, stress from traveling or moving to new home may lead to Giardia start multiplying, causing bad diarrhea. Do not wait too long, take a stool sample and go to see your vet. Giardia can be treated with antibiotics fenbendazole and metronidazole. These drugs are normally given for three to ten days to treat giardiasis. Make sure you are giving a right Metronidazole Dosage

VACCINATION

I give my pups 4 shots: two 5-way Solo-Jec 5 and two 9-way Solo-Jec 9, starting at 6 weeks of age with an interval of 3 weeks. Rabies should be done when the puppy reaches 4 month old. For regular shots and Rabies I recommend PetVet mobile vet clinics

 

They are very convenient for the preventive care. Services include: Vaccinations (including Rabies), Microchipping, Fecal Test and Nail Trim. Clinics are held at Tractor Supply stores, usually ones a week, no appointment is necessary. Prices are great too!


 

SPAY / NEUTER

Early Spay Neuter your dog (at least before 1 year old) can result in health problems such as Hip Dysplasia, Cruciate Ligament Tears, Osteosarcoma ( Bone Cancer), and behavior disorders. "When a dog's reproductive organs are surgically removed, the sex hormones they produce also disappear. The sex hormones are responsible for more than just sexual behaviors and one of their responsibilities is regulating growth. Breeders can readily spot the difference between an intact dog and a neutered dog: neutered dogs have longer limbs, narrower heads and bodies, and they are lighter in bone. When the sex hormones are removed, the growth hormones are missing important regulatory input and the bones continue to grow longer than they ought to. Studies have proven this to be true (Salmeri et al, JAVMA 1991)" Please continue to read articles from Dogs Naturally Magazine:

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Spay/Neuter And Joint Disease

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Effects Of Neutering A Dog Too Early

 

NAME TAG AND MICROCHIPPING

One of the first things you should do is order a name tag with your telephone number on it. The best color for your pup is a nice leather color with a name tag on it! I would also recommend microchipping. Better do it before you register your pup in AKC. This way you will have a microchip number on his pedigree. Register your dog in AKC Reunite website in case your pet go missing


WHEN GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY EARS STAND UP?

German shepherd puppy ears get up at 6 -7 month old , if not earlier. Ears will go up and down, fell left and right, especially at the age of 4-6 month when pups are teething. Sometimes new German shepherd owners start worrying way too much.

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Few tips: Most importantly - right balance of minerals in puppy's food. I would recommend Premium Quality (complete nutrition) food. Don't give them extra calcium! It gives a totally opposite result!!! Don't glue your puppy's ears yet. Messing around with your dog's ears too soon can cause long term damage and you would not be able to fix it! When you play with your pup, keep your hands off your puppy's ears. Parasites steal the nutrients from your puppy's food. Deworm your puppy every 3 month till 1 year old. And please give your puppy nice raw marrow bone to chew every day

One of my puppy's ears in progress. No taping, no extra supplements, no stress and no worries method 

TAPING GERMAN SHEPHERD'S EARS

If your puppy's ears have not stood up at around 7 months you may consider taping. You will need:

 

Dog Ear Support Forms

 

TORBOT Liquid Bonding Cement

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Coat the Ear Form outside with Skin Adhesive, and let it fully dry. Put the second coat, wait for 20 seconds and carefully place the form into the ear far enough down to the base, making sure the ear stands up without flopping. Hold in place for at least 45 seconds. The form should stay in place for about a week. If the ear does not stand up after the form falls out, repeat again in a day or two, but clean the ear with the adhesive remover first

SOCIALISING AND TRAINING

First 6 month give a puppy the foundation for living harmoniously in your family and society. Take your puppy everywhere with you as soon as vaccinations are done.

Socialize, Socialize, Socialize!

Take your puppy for a walk Downtown, in parks, stores like Home Depot, Feed stores or Tractor supplies. Let people talk and pet your pup. Invite family and friends and let them play with him. Make your pup social as early as possible, because the last thing you want is to have an aggressive or skittish shepherd.

Start training your pup, every single day, just 5-10 minutes, better before mealtime. Do some basic obedience: sit, down, stand, hand signals, and most importantly make your puppy focus on you. Training is "programming your puppy" by multiple repetitions and positive rewording  Yes, lots of positive! If you're starting to become frustrated for any reason, stop the session. Start fresh again the next day. Training should be fun, happy time together. Try to build confidence in your pup. Reward the smallest effort and always try to end the section on a positive note.

Go to puppy classes. I highly recommend it. Puppies usually looking forward going with you, see new places, people and other doggies. Just one course will make a big difference in your puppy's future development.

Do not over-exercise your puppy. Don't push him for advanced obedience training or agility rally. Let your puppy grow!

GROOMING

Bath. Give your puppy bath with anti flea shampoo from time to time. Adult shepherd doesn't really need to take a bath, but regular brushing is the must. I brush them, I brush them and I brush them! A lot of work! especially in springtime. "Sponge Bath" is plenty good. I add shampoo and vinegar to the warm water. It makes the coat shiny and smells good.

Nails clipping. Take your dog for a couple hours walk somewhere in town, and hey!! nails are trimmed perfectly! Just don't do it on a hot day when asphalt is awfully hot. Young puppies cannot do that much walking, so you can clip the nails or make a "spa day" and take your doggie to a professional dog groomer 


ENJOY YOUR PUPPY

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Make tons of pictures, introduce your puppy to your family and friends, and spend some quality time together. Puppies grow so fast! Don't blink, you'll miss it! Love your pup as is, nobody is perfect, don't get too hung up on the details, love and appreciate it, just like your puppy does!!

 

I hope the information I shared on this page will help you to be the best and the only owner of your awesome German Shepherd Pup

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Sincerely, Olga Kaminker

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