How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible, for many years, for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain the list of breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You would like to verify that they were screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from selling the puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain 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 method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need constant regular obedience training. It's important to start a training class early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more simple it will be for them to follow your directions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or yelling at those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and neighbours. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!