How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for a long time for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are safe. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all required tests and vaccines. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This may stop them from bringing puppies to you. For example If they know that you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. schäferhundwelpen kaufen can get bored easily, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This helps them learn to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults.
The puppy should be exposed to various household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. 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 for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This will help reduce separation anxiety 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 other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need firm and consistent obedience training. It is important to start an early training class especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands and commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their property and homes which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who venture into their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of 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 urge to do their best and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!