How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. 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 that place profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, schäFerhund kaufen as well as the environment that their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to obtain the list of breeding companies.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your breed standards. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good 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 veterinarian, his telephone number, and provide you with consultation records.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that could hinder them from offering you a puppy. If they know you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to require you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also freely and fully give this information to other breeders and potential 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 suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better mating decisions that will reduce the incidences of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe deutscher schäferhund kaufen welpe Kaufen (sixn.Net) it does not determine whether the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal diseases later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, 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 schäFerhund kaufen different environments. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to different 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 crucial to ensure that the puppy does not grow up afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace, and SchäFerhund kaufen positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for a puppy to get to know many different people over this time, as well as other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety while the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into an obedience class as soon as possible and especially when they are still young. 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 teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property which could lead to them barking at other people or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy turns 16 weeks old as their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging in adulthood and will be more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!