How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting Recommended Website with a Good Reputation
It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. 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 organization or club is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they were screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may stop them from selling a puppy to you. For instance If they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include 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 keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).
Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of 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 program members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating that will lower the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front legs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken 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 hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof, however, and cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This helps them learn to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an early training class particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the easier it is for them to follow your directions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are in an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to work and satisfy their owners If they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!