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 many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to provide information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out an upscale, clean facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They can provide the name of the vet and his phone number and provide you with the records of consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they know that you have young kids, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and ensure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also freely and fully communicate this information to other breeders and prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases 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 the future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable however, and it does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety over 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 dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs don't have to be scary. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly guarded of their home and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their area. Proper training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.
Obedience training can also help prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. click the following document is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.
One thing that many dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and delight their owners, so if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!