How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are fostered.
The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find the list of breeders.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all required tests and vaccines. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might prevent them from bringing a puppy to you. For instance If they know that 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 require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof, however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not have to be scary. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require strict regular obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in classes as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!