How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to find the list of breeders.
Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye problems.
A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. schäferhund kaufen can give you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent the breeder from selling a puppy to you. For example If they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce 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 screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each pet they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.
schäferhund kaufen 's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof, however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This will help to prevent anxiety about 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 dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter should be able to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. 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 strict, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an early training class especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, resulting in screaming or groaning at other those who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!