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 over many years.

Pet stores and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find an updated list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are safe. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you need proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current schedule of shots. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and will provide you with the records of consultation.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that could stop them from selling you a puppy. If they know you have children they might not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich österreich - https://Securityholes.science/wiki/11_Ways_To_Fully_Redesign_Your_Purebred_German_Shepherd_Breeder, GDV (also called bloat).

Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored, and lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, deutscher SchäFerhund kaufen öSterreich sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

It is also important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this period, along with other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be confined to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and doggies who are friendly. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an early training class especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands, such as sit, down and stay. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at other people or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed through proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and Deutsche schäferhundwelpen neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, places and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great method to bond with your German shepherd!