How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be accountable for a long time for the health and training of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase 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. Breeders are happy to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get an updated list of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one that meets your breeding standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are safe. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might hinder them from bringing the puppy to you. If they know you have young children they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase 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 great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and cannot tell the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential 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 be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs do not need to be scary. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors the easier it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or growling at people or animals that enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and neighbours. einen deutschen schäferhund kaufen are easily distracted by other animals toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!