How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy 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 over many years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. Most 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 animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should 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 carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen could hinder them from selling the puppy to you. If they know that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also share this information fully and openly with 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 suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable, however, and does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity in addition to 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 requirements. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them how 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 in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations as an adult. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety 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 doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older, doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require firm and consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old, when their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will 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 mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to bond with your German shepherd!