How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting 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 happy to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may hinder them from selling a puppy to you. If they know that you have children they might not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each pet they own. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent 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. This test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. 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 dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes early enough and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause trouble for their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other animals toys or entzückende schäFerhund welpen children, and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to work and delight their owners and if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!