How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who is in line with your breed standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might hinder them from selling a puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are
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 supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen is not foolproof however, and it does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep active. They can get bored easily and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup build confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This helps them learn to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not develop fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. 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 allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to enroll them in classes early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training will also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!