How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get a list of licensed breeding companies.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who meets your breeding standards. You should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able give you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen might hinder them from bringing a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young kids they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. 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. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
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 different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks as their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
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 stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd also!