How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're making a big commitment when you purchase the 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 generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeder instead.
Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to be aware of your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. Breeders will be delighted to share details about their dogs and practices with you.
The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or organization. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you to credible breeders in your region. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.
If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are kept. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You would like to verify that they were checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the doctor and his contact number and provide you with consultation records.
It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that might stop them from selling you a puppy. If they know that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.
A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number, and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will form part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't create pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and 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 communicate this information to other breeders and potential buyers.
this post 's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests.
These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations and supplements as well as medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof and does not predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to stay engaged. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise may lead to destructive behaviors such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence with new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches them to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like traffic, sirens and construction. This is essential to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
During this period, it is also important that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when the dog is taken 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 interactions should be tempered initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not have to be terrifying. It can also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to get them into classes early enough, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression is a typical issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed by proper training, exercise, and socialization.
Obedience training can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't possess the proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a danger to family members and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are in a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy, it will likely be much more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone towards fear-based aggression or anxiety.
Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!