How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible, for many years, for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets 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 confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to tell you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and also provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that might stop them from selling you puppies. For instance, if they know you have young children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. The majority of these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't become scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can reduce 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 doggies.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not have to be scary. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an early training class especially when they're still puppies. deutscher schäferhund pflege will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or yelling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and delight their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!
