How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to provide you with information about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders are happy to share information about their dogs as well as practices with you.

The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. Most breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your breed standards. Find a clean facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

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 solid working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the vet, his telephone number, and provide you with the records of consultation.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that could stop them from selling you a puppy. If they know that you have young kids, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders with a good reputation 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 GDV (also known as bloat).

In addition to health screenings, deutschen schäferhund kaufen deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen deutscher schäferhund welpe kaufen [head to the www.tri-emtv.de site] reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders perform additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through exercise restrictions, weight control and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get 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 deutschen schäferhund kaufen spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity could lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter interact. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it is crucial that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help to prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure 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 interact with calmer, older and purebred german Shepherd puppy more doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not have to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need strict, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to start classes early especially when they're still puppies. This will allow them to become confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors, the more easy it will be for them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Territorial behavior is averted by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Obedience training will also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old since they enter an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to please their humans, so if they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!