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 many years, for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over animal welfare. Pick a reputable breeder.

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's important to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are raised.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get the list of breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are confined. It is important to inquire about the parents and German Shepherd buy Puppy siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and living situation. This might hinder the breeder from selling a puppy to you. If they know that you have children they might not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent method for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they are placed in 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 create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are trustworthy are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program, reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen deutscher schäferhund lebenserwartung kaufen [k12.Instructure.com] members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and a lack of exercise could lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence around new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these stimuli as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

It is also important for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help reduce 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 doggies.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherd Buy Puppy Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It's important to get them into classes early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be incredibly protective of their home and property, leading to barking or growling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they could 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 method to build a bond with your German shepherd!