How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. 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. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can provide the name of the vet and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that might hinder them from offering you a puppy. For instance If they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front legs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen is crucial to get them into an obedience class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into 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 you can teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, leading to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are in an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd also!