How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be accountable, for many years, for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the veterinarian, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from selling the puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have young children, they may 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 an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also freely and fully share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop fearful or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it's also important that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not need to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require firm and consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in a class early enough particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their home and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. schäferhundwelpen can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to remain calm and content. 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 could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!