How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
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 the ways they treat you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all required tests and vaccines. They will be able give you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with consultation records.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that would hinder them from offering you a puppy. For instance, if they know you have children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They also share this information fully 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. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It can also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a training class early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to bond with your German shepherd!