When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You will be responsible, for many years, for the health and training of your dog.
Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that place profit ahead of the health of animals. Pick a reputable breeder.How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised.
Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to obtain an updated list of licensed breeders.
It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your standards for breeding. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll need proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical history and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet that can perform all required tests and vaccines. They should be able tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also give you a consultation note.
It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that could hinder them from offering you a puppy. For example when they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.
You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers, as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and make sure they are placed in good homes.
Health Tests for Health
Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and Bloat.
Breeders who are reputable strive to know the temperaments and health status of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely share this information with other breeders and potential buyers.
As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to take certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders conduct additional tests.
These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the german Shepherd kaufen Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also enable breeders to make better decisions about mating that will decrease the likelihood of hereditary diseases in the future generations.
Typical genetic tests include
Hip Dysplasia
The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common problems in German Shepherds, with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions supplements, and medications. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.
Socialization
GSDs require rigorous physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can get bored easily, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.
The mother and her littermates play together and interact with each other. This teaches them how to get along with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is essential to their success as adults.
Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop afraid or anxious of these stimuli. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.
It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people over this time, in addition to other pets. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.
The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe way, and in a controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that larger, older dogs do not need to be scary. It will also aid in developing a good attitude.
Training
German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is crucial to start an early training class, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will allow them to grow into confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you teach your dog these basic skills and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.
Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.
Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause annoyance to their neighbors and family members. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."
During their puppy years it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.
One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong desire to work and satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd also!
