How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Choose a Reputable Breeder
It's important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are kept. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They can tell you the name of the doctor and his phone number and also provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This might prevent them from bringing a puppy to you. For example, if they know you have young children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is essential to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.
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 also be able to interact with calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is important to get them into an early training class particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. schäferhund abzugeben 's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, which can lead to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to delight their owners If they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!