How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you. Breeders will be happy to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they were checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that might prevent them from selling you a puppy. For example, if they know you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit 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 information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding collection. This is to make sure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening breeders who are trustworthy acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders as well as potential 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 perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay active. They can easily become bored and inactivity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. click through the up coming webpage reduces the risk that the puppy will develop scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it's crucial that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety while 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 controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an early training class, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals that enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They could also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to bond with your German shepherd!
