9 Week Old German Shepherd - Common Information and Pictures (2024)

9 Weeks Old

If you’ve got a German Shepherd puppy that is around 9 weeks old, then there are many concerns you need to care for. There’s the problem of biting, correct feeding, and training.

Apart from that, your dog should very soon (if not already) separate from its mother’s care and live its own life. This also means that you will have to care for the puppy even more than ever.

Proper medical attention, regular walks, etc. At that age, your puppy’s ears will probably stand up and get more rigid. And, as said, correct feeding is key for your pet’s development. But how exactly do you care for such a puppy?

Weight and Size

First of all, at the age of 2 months, a dog will already be at around 20% of full adult growth. The weight of a male German Shepherd increases at a very high rate, about 1 kg (2 lbs) per week, and thus at the age of 9 weeks, it would weigh 9 to 10 kg (18 – 20 lbs).

As for the female counterpart, the weight is slightly smaller (by 2 kg, or 4 lbs). At this point, both dog genders should be 12 to 15 inches in height. Though it is fine if the dog is a bit too light/overweight, the development speed is quite different and varies from one German Shepherd to another.

With that said, a puppy that weighs 3 to 4 kg (6 to 8 lbs) less than expected is probably not fed correctly, the same goes for the other side. Perhaps you are feeding it incorrectly/inconsistently, or the food is not nutritious enough?

Training

If you are wondering, you indeed can train such a young puppy, although it can learn much fewer tricks than an adult dog would. Mainly what you want to focus on is bite inhibition, as random biting is an extremely often problem throughout all individual German Shepherds.

Other tricks may include:

  • The give paw command. Quite easy to teach and simple to learn, especially for a German Shepherd.
  • Sit down/stand up. It would be a good idea to teach a puppy these tricks, as they may be necessary for further training in the future.

Yet we still recommend: to mainly focus on the said “bite inhibition” training. Without it, the dog may be overly aggressive in the future. But if you overdo – then it may be too kind and won’t bite at all. So be careful.

Care

We’ve already stated above how important it is to care for 9 week old puppy. The puppy has probably left his mother’s lair or just doesn’t require her care. It is obvious, that leaving a dog without care would be equal to abandoning it. So, it is fully up to you to feed, groom, heal and play with that German Shepherd of yours.

On the bright side of things, the said puppy is much more independent than before and will help you care for itself. It also doesn’t require as much energy as before, because the growth process is gradually slowing down, resulting in a lower amount of food distributed to the dog every day.

Pay attention! To how much the dog eats, and if it leaves behind/requires more food. Analise that information and fix the diet if needed.

Conclusion

Concluding everything above, the “age of separation” (from the parents) for a German Shepherd requires a lot of responsibility from you and the dog itself. The amount of things you have to worry about is increased. If earlier most of the things were done by the mother, then now you have to play her role in the puppy’s development.

Nonetheless – the most important thing separating wild and/or homeless dogs from a domestic ones – is care. Without it, you can’t really know what an adult German Shepherd would end up being.

Additionally, the pet at this point actively learns from its environment. If it’s raised up in bad and “evil” conditions, it will be bad and evil. And, on the contrary, if the conditions are good, kind, and comfortable, the dog will correctly measure the situation and definitely won’t bite a random stranger that doesn’t mean any harm to you and your close ones.

And, finally, good luck with your 9 week old German Shepherd, and thank you for reading!

SHARE ON

TwitterFacebookLinkedInPin It

9 Week Old German Shepherd - Common Information and Pictures (2024)

FAQs

What are important things to know about German Shepherd puppies? ›

German Shepherds are smart, loyal, naturally protective, and friendly. Just like any breed, Shepherds require training and socialization when they're young. This helps to foster the pup's best traits: His intelligence and loyalty while warming him up to new situations and people.

What is the routine for a German Shepherd puppy? ›

A German Shepherd puppy's exercise routine should include two daily sessions of structured play and walks, totaling 5 minutes per month of age per session. Intersperse this with short training sessions and mental stimulation games to ensure balanced physical and cognitive development.

At what age is a German Shepherd full grown? ›

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age.

At what age do German Shepherds calm down? ›

When do German Shepherds calm down? It's known that German Shepherd puppies and adolescents can be a bit crazy and hyperactive. After 6-12 months of age, they should calm down a lot but they will continue to be hyperactive until about 2 years old, though not to the extent it was before.

What are German shepherds weaknesses? ›

Degenerative myelopathy is a neurologic condition, similar to ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in people, that causes weakness and poor nerve function in the hind legs. It affects GSDs more frequently than other breeds.

What is the best way to take care of a German Shepherd puppy? ›

German Shepherd dogs are incredibly active and require training and regular exercise to keep them out of trouble. They are best for active families and experienced pet parents. Socialization and consistent training is essential for German Shepherd puppies so they grow into confident and well-mannered dogs.

What are the best traits of a German Shepherd puppy? ›

There are many reasons why German Shepherds stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones.

What is the easiest way to train a German Shepherd puppy? ›

One of the best ways to train a German Shepherd is with positive reinforcement, which includes giving them tasty treats or lots of praise after they successfully complete a cue. Don't yell at your dog or force them to physically perform.

Are German Shepherds easy to potty train? ›

In the case of German shepherds, who are intelligent and quick learners, a well-established routine can be especially effective in teaching them proper potty habits. Remember that during the early stages of potty training, close supervision and adherence to the schedule are crucial for success.

What makes German Shepherds happy? ›

Give them lots of exercise

German Shepherds need plenty of exercise to help keep them in shape and avoid boredom or frustration, which can lead to unwanted behaviors like excessive barking or destructive chewing. They typically love the great outdoors, so you can take them for long walks or fun romps in the park.

What do German Shepherds like the most? ›

German shepherds love games and learning new things. They need a lot of mental stimulation; playing a game of tracking or searching is a great way to keep them entertained.

How much do German Shepherds weigh at 8 weeks? ›

By 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy typically weighs between 16 and 20 pounds. At 6 months old, German Shepherd males average between 53-64 pounds and females average between 46-55 pounds. Senior German Shepherds often lose weight due to decreased muscle mass and activity levels.

How much should a newborn German Shepherd puppy weigh? ›

The healthy newborn German Shepherd pup generally weighs between 1 pound to 1 pound 6 oz at birth. Most large breed pups are expected to at least double their birth weight at one week of age, then experience a period of consistent daily weight gain of 5-10%.

How much should an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy eat? ›

Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6256

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.