How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Online sources and pet stores offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. Most 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 for a list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who can perform all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and also provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This could stop them from bringing the puppy to you. For example If they know that you have young children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest 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 mating decisions that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations as well as supplements and medications. The X-rays are made under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup develop confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This helps them learn to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and www.entzückendescäFerhundwelpen.de smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

During this time, it's crucial that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about 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 doggies.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and more friendly dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and helps them develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or yelling at people or animals that enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and content. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!