How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that might stop them from selling you a puppy. For example when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test isn't 100% reliable, however, and cannot determine if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches them to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like 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 a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is essential that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Obedience training will also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old since they enter an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!