How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Pick a reputable breeder.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to give you details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain the list of breeding companies.
It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility where the puppies and their mother are confined. Ask about schäferhund kaufen österreich and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able to tell you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and also provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could prevent them from selling puppies to you. If they are aware that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof, however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches them to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It's important to get them into an early training class, especially when they are still puppies. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior is averted by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are often 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 socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, 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 puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to work and satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!