How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for many years for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen can also contact your state's animal control agency to find an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one that meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You would like to verify that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might stop them from selling a puppy to you. If they are aware that you have young 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 also require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly 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. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure accurate results.
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 foolproof however, and it does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is essential 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 different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. 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 doggies.
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 does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors, the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training will also help prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!