How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility where the mother dog and her puppies are kept. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. deutschen schäferhund kaufen should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would stop them from selling you an animal. If they know you have children they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest 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 decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable however, and it cannot determine if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
During this period, it is crucial that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the 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 able to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an early training class particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It 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 behaviors they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted through exercising, training, and socialization.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and 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 their puppyhood it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this it's likely to be much more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to work and delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!