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 many years, for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from selling you an animal. 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 can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The 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 enable breeders to make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They are prone to becoming bored and a lack of exercise could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not grow up fearful 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 time, in addition to other pets. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it helps them develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. please click the following internet page is important to get them into an obedience class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, 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, the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could be 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 like "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to bond with your German shepherd!