Many Of The Common Errors People Make When Using German Shepherd Buy Puppy
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Breeder 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 happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the mother dog and her puppies are kept. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you need proof that they were screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all required tests and vaccines. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and telephone number and give you consultation notes.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that could stop them from offering you puppies. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain 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 breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.
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 legs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal diseases later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and more gentle dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and helps them develop a good temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It's important to get them into a training class early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.
deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their home and property which could lead to them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point, they will likely find new experiences to be more difficult in adulthood and will be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to build a bond with your German shepherd!