How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen 'll want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might prevent them from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have young kids they might not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will test the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know many different people over this period, along with other pets. This can help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not need to be terrifying. It can also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands, the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!