How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get the list of breeding companies.
Take Recommended Reading to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should 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 good working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They should be able to provide the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living situation. This might stop them from selling puppies to you. For instance If they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents and their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also freely and fully communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with weight control, activity limitations and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. 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 allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require strict and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the more easy it is for them to follow your instructions as they age.
deutscher schäferhund pflege is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their home and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed by the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or 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 build a bond with your German shepherd!