How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find a list of licensed breeding companies.
Make the effort to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.
A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you consultation notes.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that could hinder them from offering you puppies. For instance, if they know you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established 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 a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of every pet they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
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 legs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an early training class particularly when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted through exercising, training, and socialization.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important before 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 quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and please their humans If they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. schäferhundwelpen 's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!