How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Select a reputable breeder instead.
How to Choose a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen will be willing to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they've been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the doctor, 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 circumstances that would prevent them from offering you puppies. For example, if they know you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure 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 breeders who are trustworthy 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 and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions supplements, and medications. The X-rays are made under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra 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 easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a training class early especially when they're still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They may also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!