How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
Make the effort to meet a breeder in person once you've located one who meets your breed standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able to tell you the vet's name as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that could prevent them from selling you an animal. If they know you have young kids, they may not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also freely and fully communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.
Common genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable, however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to various scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is crucial to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious about these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it's crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This can help prevent separation anxiety 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 able to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and more doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to start classes early particularly when they are still puppy dogs. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could be a nuisance, or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "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 a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to please their humans If they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!