How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible, for schäFerhund abzugeben many years, for the health and training of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder who is Reputable

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be willing to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are fostered.

The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or schäferhundwelpen kaufen organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get the list of breeding companies.

Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been checked for hereditary disorders like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, SchäFerhund baby kaufen and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They should be able to give you the name of the doctor and his contact number and will provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This may hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they know you have young kids, they may not want to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents, as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are trusted strive to know the temperaments and health issues of every dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders and potential buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds and sufferers from the condition that affects their front legs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, 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 will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to gain confidence in new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become scared or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

During this time, it's crucial that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant and consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early especially when they're still puppy dogs. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident 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 skills, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their area. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old because they are in a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then, it will likely be more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety or fear-based aggression.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or SchäFerhund kaufen even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!