How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
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
It's essential to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been checked for hereditary disorders 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 record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from offering you puppies. If they know you have young children, they may not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition is degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different animals and people. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and more friendly dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require strict, consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands, they will be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented through proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!