A Rewind What People Said About German Shepherd Buy Puppy 20 Years Ago
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a significant commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for a long time for the training and health of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
It's important to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are raised.
Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeding companies.
Take the time to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they were screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
schäferhund welpe kaufen should also be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that could stop them from selling you puppies. If they know that you have young kids they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask 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. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in 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 make sure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.
Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test is designed to detect hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay occupied. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Most often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence around new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
During this time, it is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different pets and people. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. 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 first, the interaction should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that older, larger dogs don't have to be terrifying. It will also help them develop a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds need strict, consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into a training class early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands, such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, resulting in barking or growling at those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through exercising, training, and socialization.
Obedience training can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy is 16 weeks old, when their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it is likely to be much more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's the perfect way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!