How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It is important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who meets your breed standards. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all 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 have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could hinder them from selling the puppy to you. For example when they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not 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 screenings breeders who are trustworthy acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also freely and fully communicate this information to other breeders and potential 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 perform additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't become fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs don't have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a training class early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands the more simple it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals that enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a threat to their family members and neighbours. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!