How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are safe. deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might prevent them from bringing puppies to you. For example If they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information in full and openly 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 recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through the control of weight, exercise restrictions supplements, and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This helps them learn to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
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 like sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it's crucial that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to start a training class early, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy, it will likely be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!