How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are fostered.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should look for an upscale, clean facility where the puppy and the mother dog are kept in a secure. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They will be able give you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and also provide you with the records of consultation.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that would stop them from selling you puppies. 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 established breeder to ask you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they have a good home.
Health Tests for Health
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 create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and cannot determine if the 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 can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to enroll them in a training class early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. 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 socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause is a sheltered puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!