How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breed standards. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. Ask about deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich Entzückende Schäferhund Welpen and siblings. You need proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that might prevent them from offering you puppies. For instance, if they know you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The X-rays are made under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof, however, and cannot determine if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be limited at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an early training class especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.
Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then, they will likely find new experiences more difficult as an adult and be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!