How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for a long time for the health and training of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for schäferhund welpe kaufen in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This could hinder the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have young kids, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards 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 information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They also share this information fully and freely with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't become fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not need to be terrifying. It will also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. schäferhundwelpen is crucial to get them into a training class early 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, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training will also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbors. schäferhundwelpen are often 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 introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then it's likely to be much more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!