How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the 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 sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and also provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This may prevent them from selling puppies to you. For instance when they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents, their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. click the following document is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.
Health Tests
Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and 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 temperaments and health of every pet they own. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required 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 disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. The X-rays are made under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or eating shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their noisy 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 groups. This is essential to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered at first so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older, friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into an obedience class early enough particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their property and homes and this can result in their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training will also help to prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when 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 protected puppy prior to this it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!