How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out 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 a current shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might hinder them from selling puppies to you. For example when they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include 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 make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen are taught to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and more gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant and consistent obedience training. It's important to start a training class early, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!