How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Choose a Reputable Breeder
It's important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory 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. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that could hinder them from offering you an animal. For example If they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is key to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to various household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a controlled, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to start a training class early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy reaches 16 weeks as their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!