How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who meets your breeding standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the vet and his contact number and will provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could hinder them from bringing puppies 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.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase 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 ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the future.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The 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 stay active. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This can help reduce 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 secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. Entzückende Scäferhund Welpen may be overly guarded of their home and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay healthy and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd also!