How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you to reliable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are safe. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the doctor and his phone number and will provide you with the records of consultation.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that could prevent them from offering you puppies. For example If they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra 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 in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and friendly dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to start classes early, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors the more simple it is for them to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at those who enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. If a dog 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 animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen 's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!