Exercise
East European Shepherd is an active breed and requires a heavy exercising schedule. They will like to go for running sessions and long walks. Owners can make them jog while riding a bicycle. Interactive games like fetching, Frisbee, hide and seek, the ball rolling, etc. are also appreciated. They also require a free play time in a fenced yard or in a park where they can move and play on their own. It is advisable to keep them unleash while playing. Apart from physical exercises they also require mental stimulation to keep them healthy. Hence offer them chews, puzzle toys or agility training is some of the options to keep them mentally fit.
Grooming
Brush their coat twice or thrice weekly with a bristle brush. Bathe them occasionally with a vet prescribed shampoo. They shed seasonally, and during this time they will need regular brushing to clean the loose hairs from their coat.
Their ears can catch up infections due to water, dirt buildup and need regular checking to prevent infections and pain. Clean their ears with Vet prescribed ear solution. Clean their corner of the eyes with a damp cloth to remove tear stains.
They tend to grow nails faster than other breeds which can crack if not appropriately trimmed and hinder regular activities like walking, run, etc. However, cutting them twice a month will serve the purpose. Brush their teeth twice a week to avoid development tartar and oral problems.
Health Problems
It is a robust and healthy breed, it does not inherit any health problems from its parent. But random veterinarian checks are crucial to keep them healthy in their adult days.
Training
VEO is easily trainable due to its loving and smart nature. However, short training sessions and positive reinforcements will allow the pet to learn tricks and commands quickly.
Socialize them by taking to different busy places like a supermarket, bus stops busy roads and Dogs Park, etc. It will allow them to meet unknown faces, different sounds and situations and make them more flexible. It is advisable to keep them on a leash while walking out.
Obedience training is crucial to reduce the pack of the leader issue and also to control their excess sniffing and guarding skills. Command training is essential to polish their skills, enhance the relationship between the dog and the owner and to minimize their excessive barking behavior. Commands like ‘no,’ ‘yes,’ ’stop,’ ‘come’ are some simple commands which are essential. Owners can train them at home or also seek professional help.
Feeding
They do well on a high-quality food commercially manufactured or homemade. They like raw meaty bones, cooked fish, boiled meat, eggs, etc. But it is essential to visit a dietician or a vet before opting for the food. Diet should be made depending upon the dog’s size, age, and activity level. Divide the meal into two halves for better digestion.
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