How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for many years for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain a list of licensed breeding companies.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are kept. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that might stop them from selling you a puppy. If they are aware that you have young kids they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests
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 pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to conduct certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches them how to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't become afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also very important for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt 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 in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant regular obedience training. It is crucial to start classes early, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your directions as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd also!