How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable for many years for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It is important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who meets your breeding standards. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that could prevent them from offering you an animal. If they are aware that you have young kids they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential 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. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable, however, and cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn 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 various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
deutscher schäferhund kaufen entzückendescäferhundwelpen should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need firm regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or growling at those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!