How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible, for many years, for the health and education of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet with a breeder in person once you've located one who meets your standards for breeding. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable where the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and also provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This could stop the breeder from selling the puppy to you. For instance If they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups with inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken under conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. 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 usually due to unmet emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. schäferhund beschützerinstinkt should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also very important for the puppy to meet many different people over this period, along with other pets. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, friendly dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not have to be scary. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require firm regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they get older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their home and property which could lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can aid in preventing other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then 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 to anxiety-based aggression or 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 stay healthy and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire 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." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!