Think You're Perfect For Doing German Shepherd Buy Puppy? Answer This Question
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
It is important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeding companies.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You want to see proof that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the necessary 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 a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that might hinder them from selling you puppies. For instance, if they know you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited 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 an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called Bloat).
In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also freely and fully share this information with other breeders as well as potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.
The most common genetic tests are
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to stay active. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy doesn't grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy meets many different pets and people. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs don't have to be scary. It can also help them develop an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to start an early training class, especially when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic behaviors and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. schäferhund abzugeben entzückendescäferhundwelpen might be extremely protective of their home and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to anxiety and fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans, so if they don't have enough to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!