How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

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

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, 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 breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they were checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could prevent them from bringing puppies to you. For example, if they know you have young children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy since German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are trustworthy will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).

Breeders who are trustworthy seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also freely and fully share this information with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause discomfort and deutscher Schäferhund welpen kaufen pain, but can be managed by weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), deutsche schäferhunde welpen kaufen österreich 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 a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so important for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become fearful or Deutschen schäferhund beschützerinstinkt deutsche schäferhunde kaufen (http://www.stes.tyc.Edu.tw) aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is essential to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced 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 to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.

It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes and 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 so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to enroll them in a training class early, especially when they are still puppies. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands and commands, the more easy it is for them to follow your commands 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 screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

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

In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this it is likely to be more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to satisfy their owners and if they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great method to bond with your German shepherd!