2 Month Old German Shepherd
General

2 Month Old German Shepherd Behavior & Care Tips

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You will have a hard time finding many things cuter than an adorable, fluffy little 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. With their cute floppy little ears and fuzzy paws, they are a bundle of energy, joy and happiness. At this point they have already made it through some significant changes during their first month of life. But many more stages in development are yet to come. Here are some important behavior and care tips to help you along the way!

Overall Behavior:

An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy has already reached some significant milestones. They have already navigated the waters of the neonatal stage and are into the socialization period of their development.

They have now transitioned from being totally dependent on their mom, to being much more independent and enjoying some serious playtime with their brothers and sisters.

Mental development will be increasing and they will begin to experience fear reaction. During this time, they are highly susceptible to scary situations. Try to avoid traumatic events that can leave a long-lasting imprint on their future behavior and temperament.

These playful pups will be doing a lot of exploring. They will also be getting into a lot of friendly tussles with their litter mates. They are now learning how to get along with other animals and people.

GSDs this young will be nipping and biting everything in sight. The little “land sharks” will spend hours chewing anything they can get their little paws on. Some good chew toys are a must at this stage.

They will also be learning how hard they can bite from their siblings. Some additional bite inhibition may need to be taught especially if they are biting your hands.

At this point, they should have pretty good control of their bowel movements but need to begin potty training if they haven’t already. 7-8 weeks is the recommended age to start.

Physical Development:

Young GSD Puppy 2

At month 2, they are still little tikes and under a foot tall. Males will be standing anywhere between 7 and 9 inches tall. Females will be very similar in height standing 6 to 9 inches tall.

Males will have most likely doubled in weight from month 1, weighing in the range of 16 to 20 pounds. Females are close behind, weighing in the range of 11 to 17 pounds.

The most significant physical development since month 1, besides their overall size, is that their puppy teeth should be fully grown in. They will start teething soon if they haven’t already.

Those cute little ears may be standing up quite a bit now. However, they may fluctuate in between up and down during their teething stages.

Nutrition:

A 2 month old German Shepherd should no longer be dependent upon its mother for milk. They should have received all of the vital nutrients and colostrum they needed during their first month or so of breastfeeding.

German Shepherd Youth With Toys

Now they will be moving on to a diet of high-quality puppy kibble or homemade food.

We recommend a raw all-natural diet when possible. Stay away from any toxic foods and avoid too many treats.

If you are feeding them kibble, you can moisten their food with some water or milk.

One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended. Make sure that you keep them on a consistent feeding schedule.

Health:

Similar to the first month, they are growing quickly. They should now have received their first set of vaccinations which are distemper and parvovirus. These are normally given at the 6-8 week mark.

They should have also been dewormed at this point. 8 week pups should be eating a lean healthy diet and they shouldn’t encounter any major diseases at this stage.

Those normally don’t appear until around the 5 year mark. To get an idea of what their future health may hold, you can genetic testing to see a full history of their parents. This can alert you to any possible hereditary conditions that were passed down.

However, you always want to keep an eye out for any potential sickness when they are this young. Keep an eye out for any irregular activity. Here are some potential red flags to look for that may indicate they are sick:

Black And Tan GSD Pup
  • Change in personality
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficult to urinate
  • Dry or itchy skin
  • Gums are red or swollen
  • Immoderate urination or thirst
  • Labored breathing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Redundant coughing
  • Runny eyes or nose
  • Sleeping patterns change
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss that can’t be explained

If you notice any of these symptoms or something out of the ordinary, contact your local veterinarian for assistance.

Care:

Up until this time, they should still be with their mother and litter mates. It is crucial for their development especially when it comes to bite inhibition and socialization techniques.

However, once they reach the 8 week mark, they can safely be re-homed from the adoption agency, breeder or shelter.

Do your homework and be prepared for a new puppy this young. Before you even get a German Shepherd puppy, make sure that this is the right breed for you and your family. They are a large breed and may not be the best pick depending on your circumstances.

If you do decide that the GSD is a good fit, here are some tips to take care of a 2 month old pup:

  1. Give them a dog crate and a warm blanket to sleep with at night.
  2. Feed them puppy kibble or a healthy raw diet at least three times a day consistently.
  3. Provide them with plenty of water to drink.
  4. Make sure that their weight stays on track through the different growth stages.
  5. Take them to the vet for their first vaccinations if they haven’t got them already.
  6. Train them with bite inhibition and socialization with other pets and friends.
  7. Don’t let them get around any street dogs.

Important: We are only making recommendations. Please contact a local vet for diet and health plans.

In Closing:

Taking in a new 2 month old German Shepherd puppy is a huge responsibility and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Make sure that you know the breed and that you have enough space for such a large dog. Also be aware of the overall costs for a GSD. According to PetBudget.com, the lifetime costs of a German Shepherd is $17,935.

Be prepared for a long road full of barking, biting, chewing, cuddling, howling, growling, playing, laughing, loving and plenty of missing shoes! GSDs will keep you on your toes and are one of the best breeds out there. They are super smart and will remain loyal to you and your family no matter what takes place.

Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Have you ever owned a German Shepherd puppy this young? Do you have any advice for potential new owners that may be considering one? What tips would you like us to add? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal experience!

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