How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for a 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 search for a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. Find out about schäferhund kaufen welpe and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his phone number and provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living situation. This might prevent the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they know you have young kids, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
schäferhund welpe kaufen may require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as Bloat).
Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the future.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This helps them learn to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. 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 including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will help your puppy see that bigger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy until that point they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more susceptible to fear-based aggression and 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 content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or destructive. schäferhund kaufen welpe helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!