How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You will be responsible for a long time for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are being raised.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Make the effort to meet a breeder in person once you've located one who meets your breeding standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are safe. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they were 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 of your puppy's medical records and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who is able to carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have regarding your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder the breeder from selling puppies to you. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a great method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.

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 produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and Schäferhund welpen Kaufen schweiz GDV (also known as Bloat).

Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and potential 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 suggest that breeders perform additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating that will lower the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a wide range of smells, schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this time, schäferhund deutsche schäferhunde kaufen deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich (www.linkbux.com) it's crucial that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help reduce 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 dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs don't have to be frightening. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need strict, consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class early enough and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, schäferhund Welpen kaufen schweiz and socialization.

Obedience training can also help to prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They may also be more prone towards anxiety or fear-based aggression.

One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!