I have plenty of fresh water available in the grass yard, and their kennel.  I regularly use bleach to disinfect the dishes and eliminate possible giardia organisms, before replacing the water.  I daily clean whatever poo is on the grass, to keep their feet clean, and so that they do not get a taste for faeces (poo). The water dishes are cleaned many times a day and new fresh water added.  (Water which has stood for overnight will lose its oxygen content, and develop a bacterial “slime,”as well as perhaps cause giardia.)  Click this link to learn more about guardia in dogs: www.canismajor.com/dog/giardia.html   You will likely only have to clean the water dish once a day.

I feed them first thing in the morning;  at eight weeks of age, they eat outside, unless it rains, which gives them a chance to immediately take a pee / poo break.  Many of them will grab a bite to eat, then run off to pee / poo, then return to eat more.

At nine weeks of age, they each eat 3 cups (more or less) of Iams Smart Puppy, Large Breed a day;  this three cups is divided into three meals:  first thing in the morning, at lunch time, and after dinner time.  As they grow, you will feed them more.  But, be careful not to overfeed a growing German Shepherd puppy;   many experts think that overfeeding causes too rapid growth which creates hip/elbow problems even in a young German shepherd dog who is not genetically predisposed to it.  Follow the guidelines on the chart on the back of the bag for the daily amount to feed, as your German shepherd puppy grows.  A young German shepherd dog (6 to 18 months) may develop panoestitis (pano) which manifests as temporary soreness in the joints, and is not a precursor to hip dysplasia.  Many vets think that it is caused by overfeeding.  So far, none of my clients have reported an occurance of pano.  Click this link to read an excellent article on the topic:  http://www.total-german-shepherd.com/Panosteitis-in-the-GSD.html

Exercise and Potty training:

Also, over exercise or under exercise (& too many stairs) for a German shepherd puppy can also be an impediment to developing the skeletal structure that he is genetically predisposed to have:  the old rule of thumb is to have each session of exercise be no more than 5 minutes for each month of his age.  For example, a 3 month old puppy, should haveeach exercise session of no more than 15 minutes, 2-3 times a day.   Puppies shouldn’t be going up and down stairs also.

When the weather permits, starting at 5 weeks of age, our German shepherd puppies stay outside under the covered porch, for an hour after eating, to be sure that they have had a chance to pee/poo after their latest eating, drinking.

They are brought outside about every 4 hours, or when they actively ask to be let out of their kennel.  They seem to know that outside is where they do their business.  I walk outside around on the grass, to encourage them all to join on the grass, which seems to stimulate the need to poop; then, praising them, and rubbing their tummy after they do their job.

Teething and the need to chew:

As your German shepherd puppy's teeth develop he will be starting to want to chew on wooden stuff.  They are starting to understand a sharp “NO”.  I give them nylabones, and hard rubber dental chew toys (dumbells) to satisfy their need to chew, both in their large kennel, and at play time on their bed outside by the door.  Dirty rubber toys and nylabones are cleaned in  the dishwasher.   A rolled up damp facecloth, placed in the freezer, will result in a cold, "chew relief" teether for those growing sore teeth.

I would never give a puppy anything made of rawhide, which can swell after the puppy ingests it and cause a problem.

Your German shepherd's nails:

Crate Time:

I wait till they are tired (after play time, and after each puppy has had his daily 5 - 7 minute train / play session with me) before doing their crate time;  then I gently put the sleepy puppy in his own crate, which is covered with an old blanket to create a “cave” feeling, and hide distractions.  The crate is an excellent tool to help with potty training.  Most puppies will not relieve themselves in a crate.  Remember your crate will need to be 30 inches high to accommodate the puppy when full grown;  there are crates available with a wire divider that will allow the crate to “grow” as the puppy grows.  Many dogs like to sleep in their crates, even as adults.  Also, having a crate big enough for your German shepherd dog as an adult may be necessary if you take him on a long car ride, or he is ill, or you need to contain him for some other reason, such as if you have a number of visiting guests.

The stress of all the excitement and newness of everything, can cause loose stools:

Going for a long car ride, then a new home and the excitement of all that happens can stress out a puppy.  If the puppy gets mild diarrhea (loose stools but not watery), it may likely be a result of all the stresses of the last few hours or the change from the type of water he was used to.  An old fashioned remedy is to give him a little canned pumpkin instead of his meal.

If the puppy ever gets really watery poo, take him to a vet as soon as possible.  If the puppy gets watery poo mixed with blood, you have a medical emergency.  Take him to the vet immediately.  I  never give a puppy anything made of rawhide; it swells after the puppy ingests it and may cause a problem.

There is a single celled parasitic organism that is naturally found in soil, no matter how clean you keep your area.  It is more prevalent in the southern states.  It can be detected by the vet by microspopic examination of faeces.  Coccidia cells are immune to wormings.  It is also transmitted by mice, squirrels, other rodents and even insects.  Coccidia can cause serious damage to a young puppy's G.I. system.  Read a good article about coccidia at this website:  http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_coccidia.html.  A sign that your puppy may be infected is watery stools.  Your vet will likely prescribe "Albon" and / or an antibiotic to treat the problem.  After six months of age, German shepherd dogs usually develop an immunity to it.

Wormer and Vaccination details

Vaccination:  Canine Spectra 5 is given on ­­at 6 weeks, to protect against Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, Parovirus Type 2b. 

Your German shepherd puppy is due for two more vaccinations at 3-4 week intervals after the first vaccine.  (2^nd vaccine due at 9-10 weeks of age.   Vaccinate at 3-4 week intervals till 16 weeks of age.  You will be given the labels from the vials that were used for his vaccinations at our home, to show your veterinarian.  Save the plastic bag with the  empty vials and show your vet.  In case of a recall of any vaccine, it is helpful for him to know the Lot number of the vaccine that your German shepherd puppy was given.

Wormer:    We use Worm-X Plus.  See inside your package that you will get with your puppy for details of wormer used.  Puppies are wormed at 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 7½  weeks.  Ideally worm every 10 days to 2 weeks, (speak to vet)

Heartworm medicine for puppies is only available at the vet.  They will give it as early as 9 weeks (some vets start it later), usually monthly after that.  Your vet will also need to give him his first rabies shot; this varies according to the schedule that he/she prefers.

Feel free to call me with any questions, concerns or if I can help in any way.  252-964-2514

I continue to support my puppy buyers long after the puppies have left my home.  I care about the well being of my "babies".  I do ask that if something happens that you cannot keep your puppy / dog, please contact me first, before finding his new home.

I keep a page for your puppy on my website, for you to keep a record of his progress.  I appreciate emails telling me of the puppy’s progress, and photos of the puppy’s growth.

Checklist – Did I Give You: 

AKC unlimited registration application,    AKC Litter certificate,    AKC “New Puppy” brochure,

Sales Agreement and Contract, signed by both of us,

Daily notes on your puppy, his play time and his training sessions from 4 weeks to 8 weeks of age,

Vaccination labels and wormer information  & your puppy’s new toy.