How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility where the puppies and their mother are kept. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent them from selling puppies to you. For example, if they know you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each pet they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and potential 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 identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's crucial that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At schäferhund abzugeben , interactions should be confined so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in classes early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by exercising, training, and socialization.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy reaches 16 weeks as their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this, it will likely be more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and happy. 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 also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to bond with your German shepherd!