How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It is important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are being raised.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to find an updated list of licensed breeders.
Make the effort to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one that meets your breed standards. Look for a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and give you a consultation note.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent them from selling the puppy to you. If they know that you have children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain 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 way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and 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 health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar 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, sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, like 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 essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
schäferhundwelpen kaufen should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will help them to develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through the proper training, exercise and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbours. They 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 crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. schäferhundwelpen kaufen helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!