How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders are happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.
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 to reputable breeders in your area. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for the list of breeders who are licensed.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who is in line with your breeding standards. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the vet and his contact number and also provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder them from bringing the puppy to you. If they are aware that you have children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).
In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.
The most common genetic tests are:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Most often, these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not develop fearful or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it helps them develop a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is important to get them into a class as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior is averted through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz that are not properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this, it will likely be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things when they become adults. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and please their humans and if they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd also!