How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the mother dog and her puppies are kept. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask deutschen schäferhund kaufen about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing a puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have young children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in classes early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to barking or yelling at those who enter their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to delight their owners If they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd also!