How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog over many years.
Pet stores and online sources offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center 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 happy to provide you with details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are fostered.
The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to find the list of breeding companies.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your breed standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they were examined for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the doctor and his contact number and provide you with records of your consultation.
It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living conditions that would stop them from selling you puppies. For example If they know that you have children, they may be reluctant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. schäferhund baby kaufen should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure 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 produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are reputable seek to be aware of the temperaments and health issues of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly communicate this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. The X-rays are made under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They get bored very easily and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence with new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in a group. This is essential to their success as adults.
The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic and construction. blaue schäferhunde is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be limited so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and gentle dogs. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs don't have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing an attitude of confidence.
Training
German Shepherds require strict regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class as soon as possible particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands, such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their property and homes which could lead to them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years It is essential to socialize your German Shepherds to new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are undergoing an important stage of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to anxiety or fear-based aggression.
One thing that many pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and content. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and please their humans If they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!