How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause breeding center instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to 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 have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop them from bringing a puppy to you. If they know that you have children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn how to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and helps them develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an early training class particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or growling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then, they will likely find new experiences more difficult in adulthood and will be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to work and delight their owners If they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!