3-month-old German Shepherd dogs (GSD) are full of energy, but they may also be quiet when necessary.
With this thought in mind, it’s critical to understand how to train them and help them mature into happy and healthy dogs.
This article will go over what to do during your pet’s first three months. Let’s join us and learn more about this cute puppy!
3-Month-Old German Shepherd Overview
Little GSDs are starting to be more aware of their environment. They will understand what’s going on and how to interact with other people and animals around them. Beginning to train your dog is more vital than ever.
This stage may be challenging to handle, especially if you have no experience raising these dogs.
Even when you are a novice, this guide can help. Try to read carefully and take some notes to give your lovely pet what he needs.
Behavior
German Shepherds have ended the newborn stage, begun the socialization phase, and are now truly juvenile dogs at three months.
This period begins at the third month and lasts until the dogs are six months old. The stage will pressure your patience since it’s the most critical moment to address any behavioral problems with appropriate training.
Though they may appear to be more mature than in the prior month, their puppy characteristics will still be there. They’ll almost get into trouble, especially if they bite or leap on humans.
There are also other noteworthy points to pay attention to during this stage, including your pet’s sleeping habits and exercise requirements.
-
Sleep
This puppy sleeps for 16 to 20 hours every day on average. A healthy adult dog should take from nine to fourteen hours of sleep every night.
It’s natural for your puppy to wake up at night, so don’t worry if it happens to him. The time for him to get the most sleep is right before sunrise.
In general, old dogs can sleep less throughout the day but more at night. The sleeping habits may vary as they get older. Once they hit a certain age, some older dogs may start to nap during the day.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer about how much a puppy sleeps. Yet, you may expect your puppies to sleep more, and the older ones may sleep less.
The amount of sleep your pet gets depends on some factors, including breed, size, exercise habits, and environment.
Always talk to your veterinarian if you worry about how much (or how little) your pet is sleeping.
- Your dog sleeps a lot (Link)
-
Exercise
German Shepherds are dogs with a lot of energy. They must exercise to avoid turning destructive and perhaps dangerous to people around them.
It is advisable to take your dog for daily walks around their neighborhood if you have the patience and time. This exercise will keep him mentally active while also allowing him to relieve some of his pent-up energies.
Your German Shepherd will get enough exercise from a daily 15-minute stroll while still being energetic enough to handle it.
Since they are young and full of energy, this dog can walk six miles every day. Their walking ability will decrease as their energy level declines when they grow older.
You may play with your pet indoors if you don’t have enough time to take him out for a walk or the weather is too chilly outside.
Treat-dispensing puzzle toys are perfect for this purpose. Hide the toys all through your home and let your dog go crazy hunting for them.
- This puppy loves exercising (Link)
Physical development
Your pet is growing fast and maybe a foot tall at this stage. Males will reach between 9 and 11 inches tall. Meanwhile, females will come close behind, standing between 8 and 10 inches.
These dogs put on some weight, with males weighing from 22 to 30 pounds. Females are some pounds lighter than males, weighing 17 and 26 pounds.
There will be some significant changes. The puppies will begin the teething phase. The adult teeth start to replace the milk teeth, and this phase lasts for a few months.
Their coat will be another critical change. As the adult hair grows in, the puppy fuzz starts to fade. A racing stripe on the back of their neck is a good sign that their fur is beginning to change.
- The dog grows fast during this stage (Link)
Diet
Try to feed your pet high-quality puppy food at this stage. If possible, give him homemade food to fit his requirements precisely.
We suggest feeding these dogs an all-natural diet. Toxic foods and treats are not advisable. You want to keep the food as lean as possible.
-
Nutritional requirement
A German Shepherd puppy requires a high-protein, moderate-fat diet. The diet should also contain vitamin supplements, phosphorus, and calcium.
Orijen, Fromm Gold, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness are some popular food brands for puppies. You can easily find them at any pet store or on the internet.
There are also a variety of customized homemade foods to meet your puppy’s nutritional requirements.
-
Feeding schedule
It would be best to feed your pet three times a day. You may start feeding him twice when he is approximately 11 weeks old and gradually increase to three meals when he turns 16 weeks old.
When he is over 30 pounds, give him four meals a day—however, some people like offering their puppies five small meals instead.
Also, remember to space out the meals evenly. The day’s last meal should be two hours before your puppy’s bedtime.
Puppy food is healthier for them throughout their growth stage than grownup dog food. Hence, don’t change until your pet has reached around half his mature size.
See more:
15 Vegetables German Shepherds Can Eat
What Foods are Poisonous to German Shepherds
- Try to feed your dogs lean meals (Link)
Health
A GSD puppy should be strong and grow quickly. Make sure they’re the right size for their age by measuring their weight and height.
At this stage, the dogs should have had their second vaccines. The 10 to 12-week vaccinations should include parvovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, and hepatitis.
Try to give the dogs lean and clean diets to help them thrive. If there is any disease at this stage, do not worry too much. They usually don’t show up until they’re five years old or older.
A DNA test can assist you in determining whether any health issues run in the blood. They can tell if your pet has particular genes related to degenerative myelopathy.
You should always be on the alert for any potential disease at this age. There are various signs that your dog isn’t feeling well that you should check for, such as:
- Hard time for urinating
- Changes in personalities
- Frequent gagging, sneezing, and coughing
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Itchy and dry skin
- Sudden weight loss
- Extreme thirst or excessive urination
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Breathing difficulties
- Swollen or red gums
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Throwing up
If you detect anything out of the usual, seek some help from the veterinarian.
- Do not ignore any unusual signs (Link)
How To Take Care Of A 3-Month-Old German Shepherd?
Raising this puppy is easier if you keep in mind the following tips:
Exercise
When caring for a German Shepherd puppy, one of the most critical things is that they require a lot of exercise.
Taking your dog for frequent long walks or treks is a great way to ensure they get enough workouts.
During the walks, be sure to keep a close eye on your pet and be willing to stop when they are tired.
Diet
The next thing to bear in mind is their diet. It’s critical to feed your puppy a nutritious meal to help them grow fast.
Because there are so many various kinds of dog food available, you should research and choose the best one.
Socialization
Your dog should interact with other people and pets. Socialization will assist them in growing into well-balanced grownup dogs.
Make regular playdates with dog-owning neighbors, and take your puppy to the park to meet new people.
- Socialization is important for these puppies (Link)
How To Train A 3-Month-Old German Shepherd?
Training a puppy might be difficult, but getting started as soon as possible is essential. Here are some training tips for your dog at this age.
- Your commands should be all the same. If you ask them to sit once, they should do it the same way every time.
- Keep the training sessions brief and frequent. Puppies can quickly get bored, so don’t give them too much information all at once.
- When they follow your commands, give them positive reinforcement. It can be food, praise, or allowing them to play with their toys.
- Start with simple commands like stay, come, and sit. You can proceed to more complex tasks once they’ve mastered these skills.
- Invest a significant amount of effort and time in training your dog. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be rewarding.
You can learn more tips for training your pet from this video. 
Conclusion
The caring and training of your 3-month-old GSD god is a significant responsibility. You will find that this is not simple, but brings happiness. During this time, patience is the key.
Hopefully, your pet can be healthy and happy. If you have any questions about raising these cute puppies, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!
