This is the lovely German Shepherd, Nyx, before and now. It’s great to see the stages of her development.
Do you document your GSD’s road to maturity too?
Thanks to Kimberly Cannon for sharing!
GSD’s Stages of Growth
German Shepherds, like any other dogs, goes through several developmental stages. It would be beneficial if the owners know how to approach each and every to make sure the overall well-being of their dogs.
- Newborn Puppy – At two to three weeks, German Shepherd pups begin to open their eyes and move around. By the time they reach week four to seven, they’ll be able to recognize their family members. This is also the stage where they should be taught social skills from their mothers.
- Puppy – During their eighth week, puppies are generally afraid of everything as they learn about the world around them. At this stage, it is recommended to start the lead training as well as some basic commands like “sit,” “stay” and “down.” At this point, however, do not leave the pup alone to prevent it developing nervous disorders. You can also start with the house training as long as it is gentle.
- Juvenile – this stage can be divided into two phases. The first phase occurs between six weeks and three months of age, wherein most GSD will attempt to demonstrate their dominance. You need to be constant and consistent in your training to develop good habits in your dog. Then between three and six months, your GSD will continue to learn routine discipline but will likely to commit mistakes. Just be patient in implementing your discipline drills and don’t forget to use positive reinforcement.
- Adolescents – At six to 12 months, your German Shepherd will likely reach optimal health and energy levels. This is the time to ensure that he gets two hours of daily exercise in order to avoid any behavior problems from developing. GSD’s level of maturity at this point would bee suitable for advanced training, such as agility training.
- Senior – a GSD can be considered a senior dog when he/she reaches seven years and above. At this stage, make sure your furry buddy maintains a low-fat diet, has light daily exercise, and even a massage therapy to aid his maturing body. Importantly, regular checkups are highly important to determine any age-related illnesses.