How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a huge commitment. You'll be responsible for many years for the health and education of your dog.

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They'll be willing to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to begin. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to get the list of breeding companies.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll would like to verify that they have been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and SchäFerhund Welpe kaufen will provide you with records of your consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This could prevent the breeder from selling a puppy to you. If they know that you have young children they might not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they are known to be aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an excellent way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. 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 conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme, members are required to perform certain tests with their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also suggest that breeders conduct additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating 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 legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under sedation, to get exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to gain confidence in new people and surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become anxious or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and [Redirect Only] play with each other. This teaches the puppies appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to various kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be 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.

It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, in addition to other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed, calmer dogs. This will allow the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early, especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors and commands, the more simple it is for altdeutscher schäFerhund kaufen them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely concerned about their home and property, resulting in barking or growling at people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed by exercising, training, and socialization.

Obedience training can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance and even a danger to their family members and their neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years, Deutschen schäferhund kaufen it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy until then it's likely to be much more difficult for them to grasp new things as an adult. They could also be more prone towards 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. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to work and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen please their humans, so if they don't have enough work to do, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!