How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. Alternatively, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen can contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the doctor and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that would prevent them from selling you a puppy. For instance, if they know you have children, they might 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 ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct 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 decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. german shepherd kaufen learn to behave in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to start classes early particularly when 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 basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or yelling at those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important phase of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." german shepherd kaufen 's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd also!