20 Things You Need To Be Educated About German Shepherd Buy Puppy
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.
Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Pick a reputable breeder.
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. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to share details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to give you information about their dogs as well as practices with you.
The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can guide you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.
It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical records and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the doctor and his phone number and will provide you with records of your consultation.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living situation. This might prevent them from bringing puppies to you. If they know that you have children, 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 for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called bloat).
In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. german shepherd kaufen are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders and potential 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 conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in future generations.
Common genetic tests include:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken with sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and it does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in life.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.
Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately within a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including sirens, traffic and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.
It is also important that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a positive temperament.
Training

German Shepherds need firm regular obedience training. It is essential to get them into an obedience class as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Training in obedience can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily 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 keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old and their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it's likely to be much more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong drive to do their best and satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!