Did you just welcome an adorable German Shepherd puppy into your life and need to know how to give them the best care?
If you’re like me, then you want the right information to make sure your puppy’s days go smoothly and stress-free.
Taking care of your new puppy is a lot of work!
Here are 11 essentials to help you get started successfully caring for your new German Shepherd puppy:
1. Prepare Your Puppy’s New Home
You’ve been waiting for months or even years to bring home your new puppy!
But don’t let the excitement overwhelm you.
Instead, focus on what you can do now to prepare yourself to feel confident that you understand how to care for your German Shepherd puppy.
Plan for your new puppy’s arrival by having all of the necessary supplies on hand. Have their special puppy-safe area already set up for them.
- Choose an area for their bed where the family spends much of their time so your pup isn’t alone for too long.
- Place their bed in a corner of the room, out of the way of busy footpaths.
- Make sure their bed is away from cold drafts or hot heaters.
- Pick a place to put their food and water dishes that will not cause your family to trip over them while they’re eating and drinking.
Keep your pup in their special room when you can’t watch them. It only takes two seconds for them to soil the carpet, eat a table leg, or chew an electrical cord.
Be sure to use the pet-safe baby gates instead of closing doors. Keeping doors shut prevents your dog from seeing you, and this can cause anxiety and stress, especially in a GSD that craves and needs human attention.
2. Learn to Communicate With Them
When learning how to take care of a German Shepherd puppy, you must commit to the role of teacher and guide for your dog.
They look to you to learn the ways of their world and want to understand what you expect.
The best way to accomplish this is through clear, effective communication.
Familiar words such as those on this list help your dog feel connected and start bonding with you.
Be sure to follow this easy German Shepherd puppy training guide to begin their basic obedience commands at home.
Your dog doesn’t develop impulse control until 6 to 8 months old. Keep this in mind when discouraging behaviors and using corrections.
After safety and security, your dog has five basic needs:
- eating
- drinking
- sleeping
- bathroom time
- and playing (This includes training, too!)
They live their days around these basic needs.
Your dog may become easily overwhelmed if you don’t meet these needs. A dog who nips and scratches you isn’t always wanting to play but may have other needs that you aren’t meeting.
It’s your job as their leader to understand what your puppy needs and to make sure you meet these demands.
3. Have a Plan to Meet Their Needs
In this section, see all the best ways to communicate information to meet their needs and understand how you must meet these needs on a daily level.
Leaders meet needs.
Every time you meet your German Shepherd puppy’s care needs, they develop a stronger bond with you.
Over time, this bond grows as you continue to show your pup that you can and will meet all their needs.
Did you know your GSD puppy even has mind and brain needs?
You don’t want to skip reading more about German Shepherd mental stimulation games for a well-behaved dog that’s easier to live with.
4. Feed the Right Food
Puppies eat frequent meals as they’re growing.
Split their meals at regular intervals throughout the day to suit their high metabolism.
It’s OK to feed them a few healthy treats, just make sure to keep track of the amounts you’re feeding so you don’t overdo the snacks.
Around 4 to 6 months old, your German Shepherd puppy naturally begins to eat less.
Your puppy’s longevity, health, energy, and overall condition all depend on the quality of their food. You must choose the right food that is not only age-appropriate but made especially for a large breed.
A fit and healthy dog is one that is less likely to have behavior issues and gives you more daily cooperation. Poor nutrition increases your dog’s susceptibility to diseases and infections and could increase aggressive disorders.
If you’re concerned your puppy is too tiny, then read 5 Worrisome Reasons Why Your German Shepherd is So Small to help you find answers.
What to Feed Your New Puppy
It’s best to choose a top scientifically-researched food to keep your German Shepherd puppy healthy and avoid lifelong complications, like this Nutro Natural Large Breed Puppy formula for proper growth.
You can feed your puppy this formula for up to 18 months to ensure they grow at a steady rate and avoid stress on their joints.
5. Include Play Routines for Stimulation
Your dog wants to explore their world through fun and excitement. Use play to help your dog understand appropriate behaviors.
Think twice about using confrontational and rough games like roughhousing when your dog is little and forming connections between you and their behavior.
Stick to cooperative games such as:
- fetch
- playing with toys of all types together
- brain games (like dog puzzles) and
- gentle play that avoids confrontation
Some people think rough games early on may produce a more confrontational relationship later. Whereas cooperative games instill a fun-loving attitude that doesn’t involve your dog having to pit their strength against you.
Only use toys that are non-toxic and made for heavy chewers, like the ones listed in this guide for safe toys for German Shepherds to prevent boredom. ⚽
And I don’t know about you, but I think every German Shepherd puppy should have a job from the very beginning.
I bet your dog will love it when you give them one of the best jobs for German Shepherd puppies!
6. Avoid Puppy Crankiness With a Sleep Schedule
Make it clear to your family and friends that when your dog is sleeping, leave them alone. Naptime is off-limits time for any other activity.
You don’t want an overtired, cranky pup that will become impossible to control and deal with. A stressed pup that doesn’t get enough rest may snap or growl under pressure.
Your puppy sleeps an average of around 6 hours a night for the first few weeks you bring him home. Sleep allows your dog’s body and mind to recover from their work.
They awake refreshed and ready to begin anew!
Try these tips to help them sleep more soundly:
- Place a white noise machine nearby so they’re not in the quiet alone.
- This also drowns out any usual house noise that may keep your dog awake and disturb them.
- Install a soft night light so they’re not in complete darkness.
- If it’s too bright, pull the curtains or install blackout curtains.
Keep their sleeping area clean and free from unnecessary distractions.
You’ll also need to use the right discipline for a German Shepherd puppy if your puppy starts to act out due to lack of sleep and general puppy crankiness to keep your expectations understood.
7. Stick to Potty Routines
Many new puppy owners dread the dirty bits of care—like the house and potty training.
But it’s a necessity that you can’t overlook.
Good news! Shepherd pups are easy to train and catch on quickly to new routines. If you keep to a regular schedule, you can excel at the house and potty training.
Puppies usually want to eliminate very shortly after:
- waking
- eating
- drinking
- play
- or exercise
They may signal this by putting their noses down, sniffing, or walking in circles with their heads lowered down. Quickly place your dog in their designated potty area. Praise them when they urinate or mess in the correct area.
It’s pointless to punish your pup after an accident and even worse, to shove their noses in their mess or hit them! If you catch them in the act, a simple stern “Uh oh” is all that’s needed.
You must always watch them when they are loose in the house, or else they will have an accident.
8. Enjoy Gentle Daily Exercise
Your breed is highly active and loves the challenge of new activities!
But these activities must consider their age.
Here’s a good daily routine for your GSD puppy:
- Aim for two brief daily walks.
- Start with a shorter walking session and work on building up the time and distance as your dog matures.
- Increase distance very slowly to avoid injuries to your dog.
- Puppies can’t walk for long without tiring out.
- Begin with only 5 minutes of slow walking for every month your pup is old.
- An 8-week-old pup can walk 10 minutes at a time.
- A 12-week-old pup can handle 15 minutes of walking at a leisurely pace.
Don’t push your pup too fast or too soon!
Your large-breed pup needs time to let its bones fully fuse and to gain an increase in strength.
9. Mental Exercise and Training are a Must
Boredom leads to destructive and annoying behaviors such as:
- excessive barking
- inappropriate chewing
- biting and nipping you and your guests
- mouthing your hands
- or digging up your yard
Brain games mentally stimulate your dog. These games require your dog to figure out a small task in order to receive a reward.
Mental activity is shown to help keep dogs more engaged in their environments and prevent boredom. They help control unwanted behaviors caused by boredom.
I started my German Shepherd with this activity flip board dog brain puzzle. 🧩
It took her a few tries, but now she’s a pro and loves when I get out her brain game!
As your dog becomes proficient in a game, you make the game more challenging. There is no end to how easy or hard you can make these games!
Now is also the time to use positive, reward-based training to begin your puppy’s obedience skills.
10. Help Your Puppy Learn to Love Grooming
GSDs need a brushing routine that keeps them and your house free from excessive loose hair and helps their skin stay healthy.
Here’s the best way to start a grooming routine for your puppy:
- Expect to brush your dog at least three times a week.
- Use grooming gloves on your puppy while in a quiet area.
- They are soft and gentle, and they create a positive association with future grooming.
- Offer tasty treats to keep the grooming upbeat.
- Use a soothing voice and tell them how good they are.
- Above all, help make grooming and brushing positive experiences from the very start to save yourself and your dog stress later.
A baby German Shepherd that tolerates and even enjoys daily brushing is a dog that is easier to keep in better health and experiences less frustration when you bring out the grooming tools.
11. Keep Up Their Vaccinations for Long-Term Health
While a puppy gets immunity through nursing from their mom in the first weeks of life, the immunity wears off shortly. It’s impossible to know when this immunity will wear off.
Therefore, puppies get a series of shots during their initial vaccination schedule. Vaccines prevent illness and keep your pet safe from disease. Stay on top of your dog’s routine vaccines.
Your breeder should give your pup their first vaccination series before you bring them home. Bring this vaccination history with you to your vet on your first visit.
Keep to a yearly vet exam, even if you think your dog doesn’t need it.