How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for many years for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Our Web Site should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might stop them from bringing a puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit 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. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information in full and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them how to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.
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 very important to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
It is also very important 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. deutscher schäferhund pflege can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer, friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic behaviors they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals that enter their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbours. deutscher schäferhund pflege can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd also!