General Care for your New Puppy

Feeding

Your new puppy has had a varied diet and therefore should adjust quickly to any variation in feeding.  A suggested plan is:

Eight weeks to Six months of Age:

Breakfast:                           One cup of dry dog food soaked well in boiling/hot water.  Serve at room temperature. If you wish, you can add a small amount of 

                                               meat to the dry dog food.

Dinner:                                 One cup of dry dog food soaked well in boiling/hot water, mixed well with one cup of meat.  (Meat is to be gradually increased as your puppy grows)

You may add an egg to this meal, but no more than twice a week.  A teaspoon of Seaweed Meal or Kelp may also be added.  Both the eggs and the kelp are excellent for your dog's coat condition.

Apple Cider Vinegar should also be given to your puppy as he/she develops.  This is given to dogs for blood circulation, muscle tone and joints.

If your puppy is alone during the day, he/she may be left with one or two dog biscuits.

Fresh water must be available to your puppy at all times !!!!

The above-mentioned quantities are to be gradually increased as the puppy's development increases.  A good measure is that all the food given to your puppy is approximately doubled when he/she attains the age of six months.

Six to Twelve months of age:

Breakfast:                    Two dry dog biscuits  -  optional at this stage!

Dinner:                         Two cups of soaked dry food with two cups of meat.

We Use and highly recommend    PRO PLAN dog food.

Grundelhardt Kennels are proud to be members of the PRO PLAN Breeders Group.

Correct Feeding

The main guide to correct feeding of your puppy is by the weight of the dog.  Under no circumstances should the dog become overweight.

If your dog does become overweight, a simple reduction of the food intake is all that it takes to correct the problem.  An overweight dog will suffer in the long term and the damage caused is irreversible.

A German Shepherd Dog is a working dog and therefore and excess weight will damage their backs, hips and shoulder joints.

German Shepherd Dogs are at their correct weight when he/she have the last rib visible and has a "waistline".

Table scraps vary the diet and may be added to the evening meal, but under no circumstances should any small bone be given to your dog as these can puncture the digestive tract and kill your dog.

Calcium

Calcium should not be given to your puppy's meals on a daily basis.  Today's good quality prepared dry dog foods are very balanced with all the calcium, minerals and vitamins your puppy requires on a daily basis.  The fresh meat added to the dry food is essential and another source of protein/calcium.

If calcium is to be added to your puppy's meals, we recommend using the Liquid form of Calcium.  You can add a small teaspoon of this to your puppy's meal and blend in thoroughly.  This, however, should only be given only once a week, IF your puppy requires added calcium.

Recent studies overseas have revealed that a dog suffers more if OVERDOSED with calcium.  This overdosing can cause serious conditions as a result.

In a well-balanced varied diet, the adding of calcium is not really essential.

Three very important factors to remember

1)         NEVER feed dry dog food to your dog without pre-soaking.  Watch the dry dog food after adding water to it.  That swelling would happen in your dog's stomach and can cause  stomach dilations and torsion (commonly called BLOAT) which in most cases is FATAL.

2)         ALWAYS have fresh water available.

3)         DO NOT overdose your dog in calcium intake, regardless of what other sources (other breeders, people, vets, books, etc) say.  Recent studies have shown that too much  calcium in diets is causing more problems than if you did not use it at all.  There is alone in dry dog food the daily requirement of calcium, so why add more????   Vets are now  beginning to realise the additional dosages of calcium is not required and is an unnecessary evil that we have been inflicting on our beloved animals in the past.

Vaccinations

Your puppy has been temporarily vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovivus.  The first permanent vaccination is required between the ages of 12 to 16 weeks of age and boosters must be given annually.  If you are planning to go interstate, it may be wise to vaccinate your puppy with an additional Parvo injection.  Different states have different strains of Parvo.

Also, we suggest that you ask your Vet to administer "Kennel Cough" at the time of vaccinating.  This is a good safeguard measure.

There are various types of vaccinations on the market that your Vet may use.  Ask him/her about the choice of vaccinations available and what he/she thinks is best for your dog.

We have PRO TECH C5  and kennel cough live vaccinations administered to our dogs.

Worming

Routine worming treatments have already been administered to your puppy.  When your puppy attains the age of three months, please administer another worming treatment.  Take care of administering any worming treatments to your dog.  Ensure that the treatments are administered in accordance with the supplied manufacturer's instructions.  Worming treatments for all types of worms should be administered in six monthly intervals.

We use and recommend DRONTAL ALL WORMER

CAUTION:     NEVER ADMINISTER ANY WORMING TREATMENTS TO A SICK DOG !!!

Heartworm Treatment

Your puppy also requires to be protected from Heartworm.  It is a simple procedure of administering a daily or monthly treatment available from any reputable Vet or supplier of Vet Lines.

ALL dogs in South Australia should be protected against Heartworm.  It is very prevalent in this State as it is in all states of Australia.  Ignorance of the presence of Heartworm may put your puppy at risk.

Your puppy will be able to be administered the Heartworm treatments immediately.  If you own any other dogs that are not being given Heartworm treatments, it is wise to have the appropriate blood test performed by your Vet prior to administering the Heartworm treatment.  This blood test can be done on any animal over the age of six months.

DO NOT administer any Heartworm Treatment on any animal without this test - it could be harmful to the animal concerned.

Fleas

Please do not use any flea collars on your dog.  For treatment of fleas, you can use a safe pyretherine based spray or "Spot On" treatments.  A natural way of deterring fleas is by washing your dog in Eucalyptus Wool Wash.  If the dog's sleeping are kept clean, and your dog is regularly treated for fleas, you will have not problems.

Exercise

Until you puppy has reached the age of 10 to 12 months, his/her bones are quite "soft' and ligaments are loose.  Serious damage can result from excessive exercise during your puppy's early development.  Do try to discourage too much jumping and do not let your puppy exhaust him/her self.

Under no circumstances should you exercise your puppy alongside a bicycle until he/she is at least 12 months of age.

It is also very important to pick up your puppy correctly.  Support the puppy by placing one hand under the front legs so that you are supporting the chest, and the other hand placed underneath the rear of the puppy.  It is very important to pick up puppy this way, as it is not only supportive, but also balanced.

With proper care and attention your puppy will be your healthy and faithful companion for many years.

Socialisation

It is very important that your puppy becomes part of the family and goes on regular outings.  This includes visiting other family members and friends (with prior permission sought), going to the local shop, going in the car for outings, going to dog training etc.

Puppies who are not given these opportunities will become reclusive and create further problems.

A well-socialised puppy will grow up to be a well-adjusted adult – and something we are proud to love and own!  

Digging

Dogs do dig! This is a natural thing for them to do.  Not all dogs want to dig, those that do will do it for a variety of reasons.  They dig to escape, they dig to find a cool spot, to bury a bone, or they do it just simply to escape boredom.

If your dog digs, you have two choices: 

            1)         You can try to redirect the digging 

            2)         You can try to stop the digging

To try and stop the digging you must supervise the dog in your yard by physically being present in the yard or by watching through a window.  When the dog begins to dig, distract this behaviour with by use of a negative reinforcement, use your voice in a firm manner or a loud noise.  When the dog stops try to focus its attention on something else, e.g. a game of catch or do a little training.

If your dog loves to dig and you do not mind except you would prefer you yard not look a little less than a mine field, why not create a DIGGING PLACE for your dog.? All you need to do is a small sand pit where you can encourage your dog to dig.  To do this, bury a toy or some treat just under the surface, and encourage the dog to dig it up and when he/she does, praise him/her.  Do this each day over a period of time – and remember to correct the dog if he/she does not dig in the special area.  We are hoping that your dog will only dig in the special areas since on there will he/she not be corrected when a hole has been dug.

But, ABOVE ALL, BE CONSISTENT!

Hip and Elbow Displaysia 

We highly recommend that when puppy attains the age of twelve (12) months that he/she should have their Hips and Elbows X-rayed through the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia Schemes.  These Schemes are Internationally recognised.  We will assist you in recommending Vets who are recognised to participate in these schemes for these X-rays and also for the procedures which is required by the German Shepherd Dog Council.  

We ask that you participate for two (2) very important reasons:

            1)         Peace of mind that your puppy has good hips and elbows

and

            2)         Assists us and the German Shepherd breed for constant evaluation of the hip and elbow displaysia and it's presence or absence

Car Travel

We strongly urge all animal owners to harness their animals in whilst travelling in vehicles.  In case of an accident, your dog could be seriously hurt or killed if not restrained properly.  Harnesses are available from the RSPCA, good pet shops and in some retail outlets.

We discourage any dog to travel in the back of utilities.  You only have to witness the tragic end to realise that your dog is not safe.  

Have a good, reliable Vet!

If you do not have a Vet please ask your neighbours, friend, relatives, or even us.  A good Vet is essential and word of mouth will assist you in your quest.  DO establish good rapport with your Vet, you may need him/her in a case of emergency or just for advice.  It is unfortunate, but it is a known that some people do not commit themselves to one Vet and "go bargain hunting" for cheaper prices all the time.  THIS CAN ONLY BE TO THE DETRIMENT OF YOUR ANIMAL IN THE END.  How can you expect a Vet to get out of bed at 4.00 am to treat an animal in an emergency situation when you are not a good regular customer and he does not know the history of your animal?  

Keep in Touch

We love to hear from anyone who has purchased from us in the past.  It is also important that should you move address, change telephone numbers, etc, to please let us know – we may want to contact you or re-unite you with your beloved animal that may have disappeared or been lost.

Also, we are required by the German Shepherd Dog Club to maintain accurate records of all our animals.  

If you have any queries or require any help at any time, do not hesitate and call us.  The well being of all animals we have bred or owned in the past are of a great concern to us.

IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT ANYTHING IN RELATION TO YOUR PUPPY'S HEALTH  -  CONTACT A VET IMMEDIATELY.  Do not attempt to treat your puppy without proper qualified care - it may lead to grief !

Enjoy your new found companion.  He/she will be a friend for life.

Jenny and Peter Cocks

Grundelhardt Kennels