How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
It is important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders are happy to give you details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeding companies.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.
A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from offering you a puppy. If they are aware that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, schäferhund kaufen are a result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches them how to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to various household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy see that bigger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a great moment to familiarize them with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their home and property which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be much more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!