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 many years, for the training and health of your dog.
Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. click through the following website are happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you need proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may hinder them from bringing a 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 sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
You should also expect an established breeder to require 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 along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding collection. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies 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 status of every dog they have. They also freely and fully share this information 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 recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays while sedating to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal diseases later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay active. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance 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 them to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.
It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know numerous people during this period, along with other pets. 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 doggies.
The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way 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 interact with calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that bigger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require firm, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an early training class especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could be a nuisance to their family and friends. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."
During click through the following website is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it is likely to be more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. 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 can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd, too!