How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy
You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for many years for the health and training of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that prioritize profit over the well-being of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.
How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation
It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing early socialization, as well as the environment where their puppies are raised.
The best place to begin is with your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.
Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility where the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to find out if they've been screened for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or eye issues.
A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also give you consultation notes.
Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may stop them from bringing a puppy to you. For example, if they know you have children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds 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. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as along with a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for a responsible breeder to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.
Health Tests
Breeders who are trustworthy will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health status of every dog they have. They also freely and fully give 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 recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better mating decisions that will decrease the likelihood 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 that affects their front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain, but they can be treated with the control of weight, exercise limitations and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.
The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test isn't completely foolproof however, and does not determine whether dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in the course of.
Socialization
GSDs require a lot of physical activity as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy develop confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.
The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.
During this time, it's essential that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help reduce anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. deutscher schäferhund zu verkaufen can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.
The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing a positive temperament.
Training
German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands and commands, the more simple it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.
Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly concerned about their home and property, leading to barking or yelling at those who enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."
During the puppy years it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important when the puppy is 16 weeks old as their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible 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 healthy and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to please their humans If they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids with weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd also!