Be On The Lookout For: How German Shepherd Buy Puppy Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's important to be aware of your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be delighted to share information about their dogs and practices with you.
Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeding companies.
Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should seek out a clean, comfortable facility in which the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be able to supply you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can tell you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This may prevent them from selling a puppy to you. If they know you have young children, they may not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.
You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method breeders who are responsible to monitor their dogs and make sure they have a good home.
Health Tests
Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also called bloat).
In addition to health screening Breeders who are reputable strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases 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 that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain however, they can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise limitations 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 hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof however, and it does not tell you if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood 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 puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn how to behave in a group, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.
The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens, and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.
schäferhunde suchen ein zuhause is also very important for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This can help reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is essential to get them into classes early enough and especially when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier you begin teaching your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a common issue for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."
In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy prior to this it's likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.
Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's a great way to bond with your German Shepherd as well!