How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility where the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they were checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that might hinder them from offering you puppies. For instance If they know that you have young children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing 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 a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when a 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 secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors the more easy it is for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!