How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you need proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions like 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 a current shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and also provide you with the records of consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that would stop them from offering you a puppy. For example when they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and 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 health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front legs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial 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 calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help 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 allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It's important to start classes early particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen is averted through the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other animals toys or children, and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it's likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!