How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Choose Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen .
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find an updated list of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you would like to verify that they were checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and also provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This might prevent them from bringing a puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have young children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to 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 an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.
Health Tests
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 create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test isn't 100% reliable, however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy gets to meet many different animals and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands the more simple it is for them to follow your directions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it's likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They may also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough things to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!